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PopMatters

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

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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.

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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.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

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

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Neumu.net

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

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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.

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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.

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Entertainment Weekly

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Pitchfork

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

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 81 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.

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