In case you haven’t heard, Pearl Jam has a new album out today. I’m letting you know because you might be new to my little corner of the Internet. But if you’re a regular reader then you already know all about Dark Matter because I’ve written quite a bit about it.
In my review of the album, which is the band’s twelfth, I called it a “statement record” that could “quite possibly make rock ‘n’ roll cool again in the year 2024.” But how does it stack up against the other records in Pearl Jam’s long, storied career?
Since today is the album’s release date this seems like the perfect opportunity to answer that question. So here is a highly scientific, unbiased, indisputable ranking of every studio album in Pearl Jam’s catalog.
12. Backspacer
It may not be surprising that Pearl Jam’s shortest album is also not its best. The record received plenty of commercial exposure thanks to a deal with Target, but overall it’s punk-inspired attitude falls flat with several less memorable tunes (“Johnny Guitar” anyone?) alongside a few hits.
Key tracks: “Amongst the Waves,” “Just Breathe”
11. Riot Act
This is the darkest and possibly the most overtly political record in the band’s catalog. It was recorded during the Bush administration (hence “Bu$hleaguer) and after nine Pearl Jam fans died during a European music festival. It’s a moody record that carries weight beyond its 15 tracks.
Key Tracks: “I Am Mine,” “Love Boat Captain”
10. Gigaton
This is the record most likely to be forgotten out of every record in the band’s discography. The primary reason for this is its untimely release date at the beginning of the global pandemic in 2020. The other reason being that as far as Pearl Jam albums go, this one is just pretty ok. It’s not bad, not good, just pretty average. The band had the chance to make a massive left turn and surprise everyone by recording songs similar to “Dance of the Clairvoyants” but instead they stayed the course and released a what turned out to be a pretty ok Pearl Jam record.
Key Tracks: “Dance of the Clairvoyants, “Superblood Wolfmoon”
9. Avocado
The self-titled release, nicknamed “Avocado” because of its cover, has a little bit of everything. There’s some anger with “Worldwide Suicide” and pensiveness with “Inside Job” and “Life Wasted.” It’s a solid entry into the Pearl Jam canon but not strong enough of an album to hold up well against the rest of the group’s past and future material.
Key Tracks: “Inside Job,” “Worldwide Suicide”
8. Lightning Bolt
Some fans don’t like “Sirens,” the ballad that falls midway through the group’s “Lightning Bolt.” They consider it the bathroom break song during what can be Pearl Jam’s marathon shows. I happen to quite enjoy the serene beauty of “Sirens.” I guess its that old saying in practice here because like they all say, one person’s bathroom song is another person’s treasure.
Key Tracks: “Sirens,” “Lightning Bolt”
7. Binaural
The first album to feature Matt Cameron behind the kit is a quality listen. It’s not filled with as many memorable hits like previous albums but songs like “Nothing As It Seems” and “Insignificance” are great mood setters at any Pearl Jam show.
Key Tracks: “Nothing As It Seems,” “Thin Air”
