• Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Nov 12, 2002
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Pearl Jam has made some of the most vital music of its career.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. The most quietly adventurous, intriguing document the group has assembled in ages.
  5. Sticking to a formula -- a formula that works for them -- the band sounds fiercer than ever on Riot Act.
  6. 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.
  7. Eddie's heartfelt lyrics rarely cohere... [but their] grooves still sound taut, emotive, and world-class.
  8. The frequently acoustic guitars and the frontman's mumbled ramblings on death, politics and love make this a fairly quiet, and deep, Riot.
  9. '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.
  10. Mojo
    70
    This album has plenty of ideas and plenty of 'moments.' [Jan 2003, p.92]
  11. 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.
  12. Alternative Press
    70
    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]
  13. Spin
    70
    Like their last three records... [Riot Act] balances emotive bombast with a taut, sweaty hard-rock attack. [Dec 2002, p.137]
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 93 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 93
  2. Negative: 6 out of 93
  1. Nov 6, 2022
    6
    This has the opposite issue that Binaural has - it has a great production style and sound, but the material is more than occasionally lacking.This has the opposite issue that Binaural has - it has a great production style and sound, but the material is more than occasionally lacking. Frankly, Eddie doesn't do "bummed out" very confidently - he's a more dogged idealistic optimist than a defeated misanthrope, and here the mix of his lyrics and the more downbeat material is an odd fit. There are high points ("I Am Mine" remains an anthemic blast and deserved its radio space), but with the exception of Lightning Bolt, this remains among their weakest records. Full Review »
  2. Apr 7, 2014
    7
    As a new Pearl Jam fan, I love this album. If you're new to Pearl Jam, I recommend this album, because it's one of my favorite Pearl JamAs a new Pearl Jam fan, I love this album. If you're new to Pearl Jam, I recommend this album, because it's one of my favorite Pearl Jam albums as of now, and I feel like it's high quality. Plus, 'I Am Mine' is a fantastic song :) Full Review »
  3. Jun 30, 2012
    6
    The band clearly showing a mid-age slump with a very normal album. Nothing to get too excited about but a decent album. Love Boat Captain andThe band clearly showing a mid-age slump with a very normal album. Nothing to get too excited about but a decent album. Love Boat Captain and Thumbing My Way showing good melodically structured songs Full Review »