Pearl Jam – Vitalogy

Release date: November 22, 1994

I’ve written hundreds of album reviews, dozens of retrospective reviews but I’m not sure there are many albums that I’ve listened to more than Pearl Jam’s Vitalogy. In fact, I just published a look back at the Incubus album, Make Yourself. The reason why I bring that up is because I wrote about moving back to Detroit from Atlanta and that record being a huge part of the soundtrack to that time in my life. This album is the soundtrack to the time right before that move. So ride with me and let’s talk about the legendary album that is Vitalogy, by Pearl Jam.

When the album first came out, us music fans were right in the middle of an era of unbelievable music. I had at my disposal Dirt by Alice in Chains, Purple by Stone Temple Pilots, Superuknown by Soundgarden and In Utero by Nirvana, who also had just released their Unplugged disc. On top of that, Pearl Jam’s second record, Vs. had already been out and I couldn’t get enough of it. By the time Vitalogy was released, there were so many great albums flowing through my headphones, it sort of got lost in the pack. That’s not to say I didn’t like the singles that were out. I did. Very much so. But every time it seemed like I was ready to dive in and start obsessing over the third record, another epic album would drop. Mad Season, Above. Silverchair, Freakshow. Tiny Music.. by STP.

Fast forward to the year 1999. I just got down to Atlanta and don’t know a soul. But my drive to work was about 40 minutes away, so that left me with a lot of windshield time during the week. What does that mean, commuters? Music and coffee time, that’s what. Or more specifically, Vitalogy time. As the months went on I made friends and started to go out socially in the city. Songs like Corduroy and Last Exit served as the background to the Atlanta skyline as I sat in traffic. (That’s another story, unless you’ve lived anywhere near spaghetti junction) But that obsession that happens with certain albums started to take place. Not only was I listening to it every time I got into my car, I was learning every song on the guitar and pretending Stone or Mike got injured while visiting the city and I had to fill in. (Stop. You know you’ve done it too)

It occurred to me that this had become my favorite PJ record. Now, I’m going to say this but please try to understand where I’m coming from. I believe Vs. to be the best Pearl Jam album – start to finish. In fact, it’s an all timer for me in that category. There isn’t a single dog on that entire record. But Vitalogy is my favorite. There are moments on this album that is tops for me when looking at the bands catalog. And like I always say: the memories that come along when listening to certain songs sometimes are just as important as the songs themselves. This is what happened here. I will forever have the memories of ATL and everything that happened there attached to the sound of this album.

Gettys Images

The record was recorded in several different places including producer Brendan O’Brien’s place in Atlanta called Southern Tracks. Other studios utilized were Doppler (ATL), Kingsway (New Orleans) and Bad Animals in Seattle. The album’s running time just tops 55 minutes and had 14 tracks on its initial release.

Last Exit

Spin The Black Circle

Not For You

Tremor Christ

Nothingman

Whipping

Pry, To

Corduroy

Bugs

Satan’s Bed

Better Man

Aye Davanita

Immortality

Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me (Stupid Mop)

Like I always do when I write these things, I fire up the album I’m writing about and I have to tell you.. Just hearing Last Exit begin and the band sort of getting ready to go – Dave Abbruzzese starting with his metered snare drum and that perfect sound of slightly distorted guitar starts.. I feel a wave of emotions, straight away. I guess it’s been longer than I thought since I’ve put this on. By the time Abbruzzese breaks the space and time continuum with his precise snare roll, Eddie Vedder sing/screams with emotional angst, “let the ocean dissolve ‘way my past four days, and not much longer…” I’m hooked once again.

The album’s second track Spin The Black Circle keeps the adrenaline pumping for the entire 2:47. The song went on to win a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Although, I love the song, I will forever feel like there were more worthy songs to win the award that year from Pearl Jam. I don’t know what this means. I don’t think it means anything. (For my hardcore PJ fans)

I love that Not For You survives on a healthy diet of E/G#/F until the bridge. I mean, it’s a great way to say, “this is not yours, we do what we want”. A huge part of the song for me has always been the way the songs starts. Drum-wise, there’s almost a controlled, perfect sounding snare drum that begins the song. But holy-moly when Vedder begins the first verse, the snare drum seems to fatten out and the tone remains epic.

Tremor Christ is all about the feel. The vibe. Written mainly by guitarist Mike McCready and bassist Jeff Ament and lyrically by Vedder, this song is one of the most listenable songs on the album for me. With its sort of marching tempo throughout, the song arc’s with the track settling into a groove when the hi-hat and Ament’s bass guitar, take over the rhythm. It almost doesn’t get any better than that, rhythm section-wise for me and these are the special moments I’m here for.

Let’s slow it down for a moment. I know this wasn’t an official “big hit” but Nothingman is a song I guarantee you any Pearl Jam fan sings along to when the band plays it at a show. To me, this is most Springsteen, the band ever got on a song. And I loved every minute of it.

I’ve talked a lot about Vedder, Abbruzzese and Ament but Whipping, kills me. It sounds like something that walked straight off of Vs. and planted it’s flag right here on planet Vitalogy. Like every song, the aggressive guitar tones on this track are perfect. Just perfect. (and sorely missed in today’s music/mixes) With Stone Gossard and Mike McCready on the track, you’ve got a staccato, Roxanne-style but single noted guitar in one ear and that excellent distorted guitar in the other. Shoot Ament’s bass up the middle following along but veering off just slightly with his own melodic adventure, Whipping is no doubt one of the highlights for me on the record and the awesome guitar work is a big reason why.

Corduroy almost doesn’t exist for me with out Pry, To. Remember that story about Stone or Mike getting hurt and I had to fill in. In my fantasy Pry, To was the song that we came out to and the show actually started with Corduroy. “P-r-i-v-a-c-y is priceless to me” would ring out over the P.A. during the walk out. Fun, right?

Ok, let’s get down to business. Corduroy. In my opinion, it is one of the best songs to come out of the 1990’s, period. Those guitar notes to start the song. The bass noodling and runs up the fret board. The subtle drums sort of gaining traction and then.. the build up. The waiting drove me mad – you’re finally here and I’m a mess..

This song has it all. Great production, songwriting, nuances musically and also my favorite drum track. Abbruzzese sticks in these little quick hitters that not only fill in the cracks but become my own little favorite parts of the song. Example: right before the second verse, he puts in a nice double hit on the kick drum and crash cymbals right after his snare roll. He does this again during the bridge. I know it’s a small thing but it’s these little but technical things I miss from him. I won’t get into any of that other stuff – This is meant to be a celebration of a masterful album. I just wanted to note his presence and professional contribution to the album.

I seriously think that only Eddie Vedder could put a song on a record that features him and an accordion and be a track that I wind up going back to often. “I don’t think they’re that dumb!” – Bugs

Whether or not it was intentional, the drum mix is different on Satan’s Bed. Maybe it was because Abbruzzese’s (I am now an expert on the spelling of his name after writing this article) drum tech Jimmy Shoaf played drums on that song. Maybe it just fit the song better. Whatever the case they are different in both play and sound. But I still love the song. The guitar riff is one of those bitchin’ 70’s sounding guitar parts.

It’s Better Man time. This is one of the most popular and recognizable songs in the Pearl Jam catalog and with good reason. It spent eight weeks on top of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. I remember being at one of the many PJ shows I’ve attended and I swear this is the song that nearly drowns out Vedder. As soon as the crowd hear’s those notes on the guitar, it goes instantly insane. I’ve read that this was originally recorded to be a part of Vs. or possibly a different Vedder project, but whatever the case, Vitalogy is where it belongs. It makes a great album that much better and honestly, takes it to another level. That’s the caliber of song we’re talking about here. While Corduroy is my personal favorite, Better Man is probably the best song on the album from a songwriting perspective.

A song doesn’t have to have to words to be good. The liner notes on the CD for Aye Davanita, say, “the song without words”. To me, that means that it’s much more than just an interlude. It has structure and a character all its own. To be honest, I sort of wish that I was in the studio the day it was finished to hear what each member of the band said about the song upon hearing the final mix. Just a little side thought.

The album finishes up with Immortality and Hey Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me. Immortality is my driving in the almost warm spring-sprinkle-beading against the window, song. My favorite part of it is when they come out of the almost jam-like bridge, crescendo and sort of reset. The ending strum and rim shot make it feel like the sun is just starting to peak out of the clouds and you know what? It might turn out to be a pleasant day after all. Jesus, I miss songs like this one.

All things considered, Stupid Mop might be the perfect outro to this magnificent album. I’ve never heard of Vitalogy being a concept record or anything like that but these little interludes and instrumentals really give it that kind of feel. That epic-ness.

Once I came out of Vitalogy’s hold on me I was left with great memories of people at the plant I worked at saying things like “What’s the tincture of that?” Or “Can’t find a better man. Bob, call x357”, over the P.A. system because we talked about the record over lunch so many times. Memories of driving up I-75 to get back to Michigan with Pearl Jam as my official house band (in the car).

Looking back I’m sort of glad I found Vitalogy when I did. Those southern memories remain and will always be attached this record. Thanks for coming along for the ride on this journey with me. Now, let’s go cue up Last Exit and jam out!

-Tommy Marz

You can follow Tommy on Twitter and let him know what you think.