Bayleaf

Stone Gossard | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 11, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00005NZKL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,821 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Stone Gossard's first solo album proves that Eddie Vedder isn't the only talent in Pearl Jam. If you think that by picking up this 10-song CD you'll be getting another dose of grunge, however, you're in for a big surprise. Gossard's uncanny wit and melodic music are showcased here. While he wears his wide influences on his sleeve, at some point he imbues these songs with imagination and a raw, authentic sound. "Bore Me" is muscular psychedelia that recalls the Small Faces circa Ogden's Nut Gone Flake. Gossard jumps into even deeper waters with "Pigeon," a misogynistic take on a relationship in decline that would make Mick Jagger proud ("I'm outta here/ I'm not through sleeping around"). Gossard flirts with the dark side in "Fits," as he slips comfortably into a vocal that recalls Jim Morrison or a midcareer Iggy Pop and pulls off anxious guitar licks that degenerate into pure fuzz as the ghostly chorus fades. The title track owes too great a debt to Neil Young, what with its extended guitar play and atonal vocals. But Bayleaf is a strong sampler of Stone Gossard's range and interests, and a delicious portent of what's ahead. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

Bayleaf

This title is manufactured "on demand" when ordered from Amazon.com, using recordable media as authorized by the rights holder. Powered by CreateSpace, this on-demand program makes thousands of titles available that were previously unavailable. For reissued products, packaging may differ from original artwork. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yeah, Baby!, December 17, 2001

By 

"bernadetteg" (NY, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bayleaf (Audio CD)

(note: this is just an except of my cover story on this album for the Island Ear)
"To call Stone Gossard one of the originators -- if not THE originator -- of the so-called 'grunge' scene is an understatement . . . yet, for all his prominence and talent, Gossard is often checkmated by his more flamboyant bandmates . . . until Bayleaf."

On a personal note: I've always been one for quirky albums, and this certainly qualifies. He's not an overdramatic singer, unlike Ed Vedder can be from time to time (hey, I love Pearl Jam as much as the next one! Don't get me wrong here!), and his songwriting skills are more than up to par with the likes of Lou Reed and Patti Smith. Try "Cadillac" for the ultimate pick-me-up, it's a real rump-shaker! Highly recommended for the thinking crowd; N'Sync fans need not apply.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good record, September 16, 2001

By 

Matt W. (tucson, az) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bayleaf (Audio CD)

Stone has done a lot of the writing for Pearl Jam's songs, and did lead vocal on the song "Mankind" off the "No Code" LP, one of Pearl Jam's most underrated albums. He also more or less plays the background man--at least when I've seen them live it's really Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder that like to hog the spotlight. But Stone is a great player as well--he doesn't bust out into Hendrix-style solos as often as McCready but he has a very distinct playing style that I like. Stone plays a lot of the instruments on "Bayleaf" himself, but gets a little help from some of his friends. No recognizable names that I saw credited, however. His lyrics are very lamentable but he comes up with some great songs like the title track and especially "Pigeon". So I'd recommend buying this--especially if you're a PJ fan like myself, you'd be a fool not to have it. And it'll tide you over until the next Pearl Jam record, and I'm hoping that there will be one.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Darn good CD to relax to!!!, September 12, 2001

By 

T. Truitt "LIVEVIL" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bayleaf (Audio CD)

I really had no idea what to expect when I bought this early from his website but I fugured, I like Pearl jam so it cant be that bad and boy was I right. It has quickly become one of my favorite albums in my collection. This cd rocks when it needs to and then flows into a slow melody that lets you feel the emotion wanted to be expressed, I recommend you buy this, smoke one for the team sit back and enjoy!!!!