Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 28
  2. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Though few of these 13 numbers have the drama of tracks by the Who or Led Zeppelin, from whom the band draw much of their style, Pearl Jam play like men on a mission.
  2. While it's hard to question their motives and integrity, Avocado fails to deliver the grand statement we might expect.
  3. Blender
    60
    Tighter and more energized than anything the band has done since Vitalogy. [Jun 2006, p.142]
  4. Instead of trying to rage against the machine, they're appealing to its intellectual nature. Unfortunately, this nuance is steamrolled by the group's need for fan-friendly riffage.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    40
    This is a further stumble away from the glory days of 'Ten'. [29 Apr 2006, p.39]
  6. Q Magazine
    40
    [It] is a lusher and less challenging listen than recent efforts, but it's also curiously featureless, the sound of a group drained of passion and fresh ideas. [Jun 2006, p.118]
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 18 out of 325
  1. JohnnyL.
    May 28, 2007
    10
    This album really shows how Pearl Jam has grown up and advanced musically as well as lyrically. At the same time they brought back some of This album really shows how Pearl Jam has grown up and advanced musically as well as lyrically. At the same time they brought back some of the old all-out-rock attitude on a majority of the songs. Genius, simply genius!! Full Review »
  2. Nov 6, 2022
    8
    Easily their most divisive record, this features both some of their better rockers of their latter years and also some of their mostEasily their most divisive record, this features both some of their better rockers of their latter years and also some of their most profoundly confusing material. The peaks are incredibly high for a band that resolutely refuses to just make by-the-numbers material - well, for the most part. A greater focus on conciseness and brevity would have enhanced this record, which is nevertheless a success and responsible for pulling them out of the doldrums of their early aughts. Full Review »
  3. May 25, 2016
    9
    sometimes referred to as "the avocado album", this one is fantastic, with incredibly entertaining songs but they also have a deep meaning insometimes referred to as "the avocado album", this one is fantastic, with incredibly entertaining songs but they also have a deep meaning in their letters, including themes such as depression, anger and melancholy, quite dark indeed. But whether you listen it casually or deeply this is a classic. Full Review »