Customer Reviews

Bayleaf

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

(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.

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!!!!

Before I start I have to say this, If you are expecting a Pearl Jam album look elsewhere.
Stone's first solo album is without a doubt one of the most refreshing musical statements I have listened to in years.

In terms of styles 'Bayleaf' is about as diverse as an album can get, with the funky "Pigeon" and he heartbreaking "Bayleaf" title track to name but two.
A concern of many fans (and indeed Stone himself) are his singing abilities, he has said himself that he has not got a great voice but what he does have is an individual and highly likeable voice.

I'm going to break this review down track by track to try and give you an idea of just what this album offers.

1.Bore Me 9/10 - The opening track features vocals from Tyl Wilman and not Stone.
The song is your basic rock song with a few unique Stone twists, you'll know what I mean when you here it, the solo here has a wonderful sound to it.

2.Fits 9/10 - One of my favourites on the album, Stone's first track on vocals offers a slow melancholy pace for a song that is very eventful.
The chorus seems to just slide along with the pace of the song, fantastic work.

3.Pigeon 10/10 - This song is just unbelievable and has Stone written all over it, A funky metal like riff ala 'Do The Evolution' which is the perfect partner to Stone's vocals.
This is a song where the style is difficult to pin point, it's almost like pop and metal all in one, excellent track.

4.Anchors 9/10 - A slow paced mellow ballad, the whole song flows so well that you don't ever get an impression of "is it over yet?".
Again as with Pigeon, you won't find anything quite like this anywhere else, a very sad song.

5.Cadillac 8/10 - Tyl Wilman on vocals again for Cadillac, a song which sounds like a something Bob Marley would sing, a very Jamaican vibe throughout this one.
My only problem with it is that it is much more of a pop song than any of the other tracks.

6.Bayleaf 9/10 - Comparisons to Neil Young here are obvious but the self titled centre piece is not to be over looked, a wonderful guitar driven track.
With multiple Stone guitar solo sequences and a wonderful chorus to boot.

7.Every Family 7/10 - Stone on vocals (as with 'Bayleaf') accompanied by an Organ of all instruments.
This song again stretches the musical diversity of the album with it's Gospel like style.
While I admire Stone's ability to create different moods and his talent for styles, with that said this is a style that I am not so fond of.

8.Unhand Me 8/10 - Tyl Wilman on vocals again for a pretty standard rock song, again though with a Stone Gossard edge.
The transition from chorus to verse is wonderfully done each time, with the chorus exploding upon you.

9.Hellbent 9/10 - A very bizarre track here, Stone's vocals again really are a credit to his musical style.
A slow paced ballad (much like anchors) but with a slightly more upbeat mood to it.

10.Fend It Off 9/10 - Tyl Wilman ends the album on vocals (just as he began it) with a simple yet very enjoyable track....

Stone Gossard came a long way before releasing «Bayleaf». Known mostly for his nearly fourteen year career as Pearl Jam's rhythm guitarist (and doing a lot of song writing), Gossard also handles the guitar and songwriting in the under-rated Seattle act «Brad» and has participated in a few other projects prior to Pearl Jam (like «Mother Love Bone», Andy Wood's tribute project «Temple of The Dog» and some minor bands like «Green River», «The Ducky Boys» and «March of Crimes»). All of this to say that it was time for Stone Gossard to release his solo album.

First of all, despite being responsible for the 'melody' behind Pearl Jam's earlier 'hits' (e.g. «Alive», «Even Flow», «Black», etc.), «Bayleaf» features a completely different kind of sound. So, if you're after a record that sounds like Pearl Jam during its early years (and even now, with «Binaural» and «Riot Act»), this is not it.

I found «Bayleaf» to be a very refreshing, interesting and heterogeneous record, with each song sounding different from the other in such a way that it becomes impossible to label it according to its musical style. The songwriting of «Bayleaf» is really good and the music itself is extremely original being, at the same time, experimental and very mature, with 'Stone Gossard' written all over it. Gossard's musical evolution as a guitarist was already noticeable in his other projects (Pearl Jam and Brad) - although enphazised in this album - but his most remarkable improvement lays on his vocal abilities, since the old days of Pearl Jam's «Mankind» (and the recently released «Don't Gimme No Lip»).

Stone Gossard does a little of everything here, from guitars to leading vocals, not forgeting bass guitar, drums, piano and congas(!!). «Bayleaf» also features some of Stone's friends like Ty Wilman (former Green Apple Quickstep's frontman who does the leading vocals on a few tracks - he also has a high pitched voice like Stone), Matt Chamberlin (former Pearl Jam's drummeer) and Pete Droge, amongst many others.

To wrap up this review, «Bayleaf» is a very refreshing album that has a very strong music climate and it can really create a fresh environment around me whenever i'm listening to it. And, as you can see by my public nickname, i'm a fan of Mr. Gossard and this album made me like his music even more.

I have listened to this album four times since buying it two days ago, and it definitely grows on you. At first, I wasn't that impressed... some of the lyrical quality seemed repetitive and at times forced ("He Bore Me," over and over does get a little old).
On the whole, I can see this as an album that I'll listen to obsessively over the next few weeks, then put it away for a long time, only taking it out sparingly. Definitely worth a look, not a must have though.

This album is an eclectic mix of styles and sounds, and is not afraid to take chances. There is a daring use of some not so common musical instruments that lends to its unique sound.
Each song seems to have a separate style and feeling of its own, although many seem to sound like they were inspired by other artists. The title track "Bayleaf" has a heavy Neil Young influence, while "Fend it Off" could almost be a Lenny Kravitz song.

Most surprising was how much I enjoyed Mr. Gossard's vocals. I find myself wishing he crooned the remaining three as well. His voice sounds real and true, where as Ty Wilman sounds a bit overproduced. Lyrically, the album can leave you confused at times. The standout track to me is "Every Family", which you can interpret many ways.
All in all, this was an album I genuinely enjoyed.

In Stone gossard's solo debut, I think he makes a very strong statement of what all he can do and write.Stone also has a proficient voice.Some of the songs take a few listens until it really sinks in but they do.The songs range from great jamming and playing to some mello laid back blues.Overall, its a very strong cd that Im glad I got.

I loved him in Green River. I loved him in Mother Love Bone. I loved him in Temple of the Dog. I love him in Pearl Jam. I love him in Brad. Now I love him on his own! "Bayleaf" is one of the BEST albums of the year. It's not at all what I thought. It is so different and unique and well done. It's a fun album. This album really lets him shine. In Pearl Jam, he is easily blended in with the rest of them, especially McCready. Don't get me wrong. I love McCready, but boy is Stone the man! He shows off his abilities as an all around musician. Guitars, vocals, bass, drums, etc!

Each song is different. I cannot pick a favorite due to this! But if I had to pick two it would be "Bore Me" and "Bayleaf". It's very entertaining and just wonderful! Stone is possibly one the most underrated musicians and this album proves that.

But please, if you are expecting the above mentioned bands, you will not get them. In my opinion this album is COMPLETELY different. Go into this album with an open mind and no expectations and I promise you'll love it!

The first song "Bore Me" is amazing, and reminds me of Wilco and Abandon Jalopy. Same goes for the third song Pigeon, awesome song.

The rest is.. some people seem to like it. Some songs are ok, like Bayleaf, Unhand Me.

If Gossard ever releases a second album, I'll get my hands on it, there's just so much potential here for some really special stuff.