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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.

Riot Act
by Pearl Jam


8.4

based on 20 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 79 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album

Official Artist Site

Still going strong, the Seattle grunge band returns with its seventh studio album.

LABEL:	Sony
RELEASE DATE:	12 November 2002
DISCS:	1 disc
GENRE(S):	Alternative, Rock

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

PopMatters

Pearl Jam has made some of the most vital music of its career.

New Musical Express

Those waiting for another record as challenging as 'Vitalogy' will be left disappointed. But 'Riot Act' is the sound of a band entering a powerful middle-age. They still deserve your attention.

Playlouder

From its downbeat organ opening to its exhilarating climax, it's almost the sound of a garage band taking on 70s prog-rock excess - all the ambition and none of the flabby indulgence.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

The most quietly adventurous, intriguing document the group has assembled in ages.

Neumu.net

Sticking to a formula -- a formula that works for them -- the band sounds fiercer than ever on Riot Act.

All Music Guide

In some ways, Riot Act is the album that Pearl Jam has been wanting to make since Vitalogy -- a muscular art rock record, one that still hits hard but that is filled with ragged edges and odd detours.

E! Online

The frequently acoustic guitars and the frontman's mumbled ramblings on death, politics and love make this a fairly quiet, and deep, Riot.

Entertainment Weekly

Eddie's heartfelt lyrics rarely cohere... [but their] grooves still sound taut, emotive, and world-class.

Spin

Like their last three records... [Riot Act] balances emotive bombast with a taut, sweaty hard-rock attack. [Dec 2002, p.137]

Alternative Press

In mood, style and tone, Riot Act sounds like every other Pearl Jam record, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. [Dec 2002, p.89]

Billboard

With its restless spirituality and dense, decidedly un-pop arrangements, Riot Act perhaps most closely resembles that first album (No Code) of the post-Vitalogy years.

Mojo

This album has plenty of ideas and plenty of 'moments.' [Jan 2003, p.92]

Dot Music

'Riot Act' may be neither 'the-best-album-since' nor 'a-brilliant-return-to-form', but neither is it more-of-the-same-but-less-so.

Blender

The production seems to capture a band that's playing live, with the guitarists constantly pushing each other and tunes evolving on the spot. [#11, p.122]

Ink 19

Hints at greatness, but never quite sustains it.

Rolling Stone

The familiarity of this straightforward tumble sounds tired -- the musicians struggle to put their backs and hearts into the Mudhoney-ish rocker "Save You." But like Neil Young at his most deliberately despondent, Pearl Jam sound purposefully tired.

Q Magazine

An adult rock record in which nuance succeeds over bombast. [Dec 2002, p.108]

Uncut

A couple of songs could do with more melody and less of Mike McCready's spidery guitar breaks. [Dec 2002, p.132]

Stylus Magazine

This is a definite upswing from the steaming pile of crap that was Binaural, but not the return to form that older fans of the band may have been hoping for.

Pitchfork

Riot Act meanders from one song to the next with an overwhelming insipidness.

The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 79 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Guy H gave it a2:
Pearl Jam career arc: Ten (8), Vs (5), Vitalogy (8), No Code (6), Yield (5), Binaural (4), and this is where I give up! (2)

Kevin C gave it a6:
Pearl Jam is my favourite rock band, and although there are some good cuts on this album, I can't really give it any higher than a six. In my opinion, this is Pearl Jam's weakest album.

Addler S gave it a7:
Pearl Jam is the best American band. People who claim to like the band and not this record are STOOPID.

Dave N gave it a3:
I like Pearl Jam. I really do despite my score. Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy were all brilliant records. Even the critically hated Yield was very good. Then No Code came out and I wanted to vomit. Binaurial didn't help that much as well. With Riot Act, Pearl Jam has succeeded in releasing three horrible albums in a row. I tried to get into this one. I listened to it for a week straight and I still hated it. There are maybe 2 good tracks. Not great, good..barely good. The only reason it doesn't get a 2 or lower is because while its a bad CD, even horrible, it has a very slightly interesting side to it where if the band put more effort into it, it could have been a pretty good release.

joe h gave it a10:
not bubble gum for sure, you gotta listen to the music and explore it. all pearl jam listens are a difficult listen at first, then they all at once consume you and it becomes the gospel.

zoran g gave it a10:
Just great. And after four years ... it sounds even better.

Riot Act gave it a9:
Great, dark and mature album. logical step from this great band. I just hope that they'll continue to creat great music. Some of you who rated this album should grow up! Strongly recommended.

Riot Act by Pearl Jam

Riot Act
by Pearl Jam