by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Thanks to its stripped-down, lean production, Vitalogy stands as Pearl Jam's most original and uncompromising album. While it isn't a concept album, Vitalogy sounds like one. Death and despair shroud the album, rendering even the explosive celebration of vinyl &Spin the Black Circle& somewhat muted. But that black cloud works to Pearl Jam's advantage, injecting a nervous tension to brittle rockers like &Last Exit& and &Not for You,& and especially introspective ballads like &Corduroy& and &Better Man.& In between the straight rock numbers and the searching slow songs, Pearl Jam contribute their strangest music -- the mantrafunk of &Aye Davanita,& the sub-Tom Waits accordion romp of &Bugs,& and the chilling sonic collage &Hey Foxymophandlemama, That's Me.& Pearl Jam are at their best when they're fighting, whether it's Ticketmaster, fame, or their own personal demons.