Riot Act
| Pearl Jam
Riot Act
Riot Act is the seventh studio album by American rock band Pearl Jam, released November 12, 2002 through Epic Records. Following a full-scale tour in support of its previous album, Binaural (2000), Pearl Jam took a year-long break. The band reconvened in the beginning of 2002 and commenced work on a new album. The music on the album was diverse, including songs influenced by folk, art rock and experimental rock. The lyrics deal with mortality and existentialism, with influence from both the political climate after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the accidental death of nine fans during Pearl Jam's performance at the 2000 Roskilde Festival. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
Show All-
Pitchfork
but mostly, they've settled for traditional rock riffs and general coasting. Riot Act sadly exemplifies this, bringing them ever closer to homogenous bar-band territory.
-
All Music
the production is the best in nearly a decade -- a warm, burnished sound filled with details that enhance the basic song instead of overwhelming them (in other words, it's not No Code, nor is it the Spartan Yield). Again, these are subtle shifts in sound, but they are notable and, given several plays, this does indeed seem like the richest record Pearl Jam has made in a long time.
-
Sputnik Music
With high production values and an art rock approach, this could be a comeback for Eddie Vedder and co.
-
BBC
Riot Act reaffirms Pearl Jam's place in rock.
-
Ultimate Guitar
Riot Act will not go down as one of their all time great efforts, and some songs feel a bit rushed, but there is a lot to love here.
-
Antimusic
While Riot Act doesn't punctuate your soul as fiercely as previously records, it still provides a poignant sting.
-
PopMatters
It is in this spirit of passionate response that Pearl Jam has made some of the most vital music of its career. A "Riot Act" indeed.
-
RTE
The albums they let do the talking in the meantime ('Vitalogy', 'No Code', 'Yield', 'Binaural') stand as a body of work that few from the last decade can compete with and while 'Riot Act' comes with a higher media profile, it adds to the legend.
-
Tiny Mixtapes
Riot Act turns out to be one of the bands more solid releases.
-
The Guardian
Ten years later, Riot Act isn't one thing or the other: tracks such as Ghost or Get Right gesture towards hard rock without really putting the hammer down, while a more reflective piece like All or None doesn't exploit its own possibilities.
-
The Music Box
Riot Act, the truth of the matter is that it’s once again successful.
-
NME
But ‘Riot Act’ is the sound of a band entering a powerful middle-age. They still deserve your attention.
-
Metal Reviews
Riot Act never gained landmark status, but I still consider it one of the better efforts by a band who have always done things their own way.
Rate This Album and Leave Your Comments