'Binaural' by Pearl Jam

Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam are back. All head banging, grunge rockers may resume their mosh pit activities. The media shy, Seattle based band is back with another superb album.

Pearl Jam are the natural successors to Nirvana. But they boast a grittier rock/punk edged sound that is driven by the raspy power of Vedder's vocals. 'Binaural' moves away from Pearl Jam's grunge roots towards some no-nonsense rock with some infusions of folk. This time Pearl Jam experiments with the simple technique of binaural recording- recording with just two mikes, one for each ear.

As usual, get ready for some uncompromising music with integrity screaming from every chord. The lyrics are intelligent and meditative, and look at issues and relationships. And Eddie Vedder's voice is at its powerful best.

Check out the socially conscious souls of Pearl Jam in 'Soon Forgot' (a polemic against materialism), 'Grievance' (a harangue against the WTO) and 'Insignificance' (a tirade against war). If you tire of all this bleeding heart, liberal, soul baring gussied up in song, look to the hard rocking 'Breakerfall'.

Rating: Intelligent band, great music, uncompromising social liberals- what more do you want?! The perfect antidote to vacuous boy bands and one hit girl wonders.

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