There’s a very well-written review of the entire history of Pearl Jam on Grantland right now. In case you’re living under a rock, I’ll tell you that a new PJ album was released last week. (Yes, that’s why you’re hearing classic Pearl Jam tracks between every inning break during the World Series and why they were on Jimmy Fallon all last week and why ESPN has been playing them as intro and outro music during Sportscenter segments all month.)
If you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy reading Overrated, Underrated, or Properly Rated: Pearl Jam, by Steven Hyden.
Or you could just read the article’s conclusion, which serves as a perfect summary of the rather lengthy essay:
Pearl Jam made some great records in the ’90s, some not-so-great records in the early ’00s, and some very solid records in the last several years. The band is always worth seeing live. Eddie Vedder is very good at giving speeches, and Jeff Ament is tremendous at wearing hats. The band has had many drummers but ultimately settled on the right one. Pearl Jam is not at its creative peak in 2013, but it is a dependable veteran that won’t ever embarrass itself.