• Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: May 16, 2000
User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 60
  2. Negative: 2 out of 60

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  1. juanr
    Jun 11, 2004
    10
    well, i think it's the most sincere album made by Pearl Jam guys. It smells quality in all songs and has a complete view of all them influences. i think it's perfect
  2. redmosquito
    May 1, 2006
    10
    awesome album , music, artwork a great band and a great piece of work
  3. JackV
    Mar 16, 2005
    10
    pearl jam have never made an album short of brilliant. it is not in their forte to make bad music.
  4. joeh
    May 2, 2006
    10
    for all the low scores on pearl jam. its smart music for smart people who don't just listen to the first 10 secs of a song then hit next. you gotta put on the headphones, listen to the lyrics and let them mesh with the music.
  5. gazc
    Aug 23, 2009
    10
    An incredible album, do not get the '0' rating. 'Light years' is their most emotional and tear jerking song and the atmosphere created in 'nothing as it seems is phenomenal. They even hit the mark with the political songs such as 'Grievance', 'insignificance' and 'evacuation'. Lyrical Vedder is flawless.
  6. NoamS
    Dec 7, 2005
    10
    Pearl Jam's oddest. strangely & well written. great album.
  7. AddlerS
    Dec 15, 2006
    10
    Just a solid album from this amazing band. I can't believe the "0" rating. That's pathetic. There are SEVERAL songs on this album that are memorable. Normally a "7" , I give it a "10" for that.
  8. Jan 18, 2019
    10
    Possibly their best album. It is the sound of mature musicians not afraid to take a risk. Incredible song writing, brilliant lyrics and instrumentation.
  9. steves
    Oct 20, 2006
    9
    A great collection of songs if you can be patient with them.
  10. MikeM
    May 29, 2005
    8
    After Yeld is the best album post-Vitalogy
  11. Jun 6, 2011
    8
    although it's lost its edge over time. still a remarkable album. not their best. definitly not their worst.
    despite its reputation its NOT ONLY for the die hard fans. and its definitly no stadium rock as some people claim
  12. DearLord
    Nov 20, 2005
    7
    Not the best of the band's career, perhaps the worst... but for PJ, "worst" is still congruous with greatness. Thick with atmosphere, every song is listenable, ranging from good to excellent. Key tracks: -Parting Ways -Insignificance -Thin Air -Of the Girl -Grievance
  13. Feb 19, 2012
    7
    'Binaural' is an enjoyable album, with the band retiring to their art-folk/rock after the mixed success of 'Yield'. With tracks like 'Of The Girl' and 'Insignificant' providing some contrasting texture to the album, a thought remains as to the lack of inspiration. However, Pearl Jam make mediocre ok.
  14. Nov 6, 2022
    7
    An album with well-written songs but muddled production that doesn't have a confident arc. I would give this album a 6.9, but here a more suitable rating is a 7. It remains one of their more frustrating releases, as the material is there but Eddie and the band don't seem to be communicating musically in a way that effectively benefits the material. Far from a bad record - they don'tAn album with well-written songs but muddled production that doesn't have a confident arc. I would give this album a 6.9, but here a more suitable rating is a 7. It remains one of their more frustrating releases, as the material is there but Eddie and the band don't seem to be communicating musically in a way that effectively benefits the material. Far from a bad record - they don't really make those - but it is one of the records they DO occasionally make, a mixed affair that frustrates because the good parts are that good. Expand
  15. Oct 13, 2020
    6
    My least favourite Pearl Jam album so far. I'm slowly over time making my way through them in order. No Code is my favourite if you're asking. Binaural is a worthwhile record but its a bit dull in parts and the louder faster songs just lack the bite to hook you in. Light Years is beautiful and I have a fondness for Grievance but I felt this album just lacked some creativity. BitMy least favourite Pearl Jam album so far. I'm slowly over time making my way through them in order. No Code is my favourite if you're asking. Binaural is a worthwhile record but its a bit dull in parts and the louder faster songs just lack the bite to hook you in. Light Years is beautiful and I have a fondness for Grievance but I felt this album just lacked some creativity. Bit forgettable to be honest. Expand
  16. MattM
    Jun 14, 2009
    4
    Any Pearl Jam album after Vitalogy is unimportant and dull in my opinion. While I appreciate Pearl Jam wanting to expand and "be artsy", Binaural is too surreal and out of the alt. rock element.
  17. PaulH
    Jul 4, 2005
    0
    Not One Rememberable Song, Just Dullness after Dullness, I Never Got Their Acclaim.
  18. nayfarid
    Feb 28, 2004
    0
    worst album from worst band in rock history
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 16
  2. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. Magnet
    90
    Near-brilliant... smoldering slabs of sonic complexity... [#46, p.86]
  2. 80
    If there's an ounce of you that's ever been keen on Pearl Jam, or even if you've never bothered, grab a pair of headphones and let Binaural pummel and soak into you, and relax about it.
  3. A remarkably overt homage to seventies stadium rock?