Yield

Pearl Jam

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000002BYD
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (328 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,898 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Seattle band once notable for its arena rock anthems is now remarkable mostly for its hushed melodies. On Pearl Jam's fifth album, the rockers seem slapdash ("Do the Evolution", "Brain of J"), and the arty experiments sound self-conscious (especially the 67-second knockoff, "-"). That leaves the ballads, especially the lovely lilt of "Low Light" and the clear-eyed lament of "Wishlist." On the latter song, Ed Vedder (as he now calls himself) yearns to be many different things, from a neutron bomb to a souvenir key chain. However, the line that sticks out is, "I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me." Instead of considering himself lucky to be a rock star, Vedder sounds relieved to have moved beyond it. --Keith Moerer

People
Loud, fast and percussive, Yield finds Pearl Jam veering from its usual mix of gnashing guitars and down-in-the-mouth vocals.... The band seems to have discovered both humor and harmony.... Yield sounds at moments like a bunch of musicians having fun, a pursuit the angry young men of yore seldom indulge in....

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Do the Evolution", indeed., June 7, 2005

By	Michael Stack (North Chelmsford, MA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Often regarded, perhaps unfairly, as the "normal" album that followed "No Code", "Yield" is a beast all of its own. What it does display is a band that's really come into itself-- whereas it felt that "Ten" and "Vs." was Pearl Jam escaping their legacy and finding their own feet, "Vitalogy" was a search for a direction, and "No Code" was the push out, "Yield" is in many ways the beginning of the band's second phase-- they know who they are and what kind of music they want to play.

"Yield" has many of the elements of thre preivously albums finally coexisting-- the AOR/arena rock sound (leadoff single "Given to Fly"), the punk numbers in the vein of "Go", "Last Exit", and "Hail Hail" (powerful opener "Brain of J"), the ballads vocalist Ed Vedder can really get himself wrapped into ("Low Light"), but its got a lot more too.

Any belief that this is a straightahead rock record only, take a look at "No Way" or "Push Me, Pull Me", with its odd fills (from various instruments) and falsetto harmonies, or the churning, bubbling "Wishlist"-- a final realization of the sort of sounds "Who You Are" and "In My Tree" leaned towards, although with a self-assurance that allows it to speak on its own. And certainly little on this or any other record can compare to the ecstatic power of "Do the Evolution"-- lyrically and musically one of the most (if not THE most) satisfying songs in Pearl Jam's catalog. Straightahead rock? When all the instruments drop out but the drums and Vedder leads the choir singing "Alleluia"?

Still, if its straightahead rock you're after, look no further than "MFC"-- a great song about hitting the open road and a fantastic piece. The thing about this album is that its got something for anyone who's enjoyed any of Pearl Jam's earlier albums. Confidence, synthesis of sounds, and a settled direction all help to make this one an essential part of the band's catalog. Recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's Evolution Baby!!!!, July 25, 2005

By	howzat "howzat" - See all my reviews

Yield (1998.), the Pearl Jam's fifth studio album

The Pearl Jam are without doubt, in my opinion, the greatest band of the 1990's. From their immortal debut album 'Ten', the greatest selling Seattle album ever, and onwards, the Pearl Jam have consitently produced awesome music very rarely dropping below the highest possible level of greatness. By the end of the 1990's, the Pearl Jam were practically the only band remaining from the grunge explosion nearly ten years earlier, in most part due to their own altering style and ability to 'break' from the grunge mold and diversify their sound. 'Yield', the Pearl Jam's fifth studio album, released in 1998 is the band's final outing for the 90's (NOT their final album!!!) and it is one hell of a good one!

When I listen to any of the Pearl Jam's releases after 'Ten', I have to be realistic. 'Ten' is just phenominal, a perfect flawless album which I believe is almost impossible to top, however, in my opinion, 'Yield' is not far away in greatness, and thats saying an awful lot! After a very masterful and experimental 'No Code', 'Yield' is a return by the band to a more hard rocking sound, with grungy hints of 'Ten' or 'Vs.'. The album was rightfully critically acclaimed at the time of its release by many critics BUT however, it has never sold as many as you would have expected it to (about 4-5 million worldwide, which is NOT many for an album is amazing as this!). However, you've gotta remember that this is the Pearl Jam, the band that withdrew from the spotlight in the mid-1990's and are an underground band at heart who focus on making great music, not the profits that come from it. As I've said above, 'Yield' is much more rock based than 'No Code' however, it doesn't stop any experimental moments from the band including a 1 minute untitled drum showcase and some unusual moments in the song 'Push Me, Pull Me'. Afterall, every Pearl Jam album has a little bit of wierdness and that's what in some ways makes their albums so unique. The 'Yield' album also marked the first time that the band had made music videos since the song 'Jeremy'. This was more part of a record contractual obligation than anything (remember the Pearl Jam just don't DO music videos, its not part of their style!) however, the anime-styled video of 'Do The Evolution' is a pretty interesting watch.

The album itself begins with the blistering 'Brain of J', a great hard rocking song. Vedder's howling vocals are back straight away with this song. The song has a deep thundercracking ending which is really cool, and it then runs perfectly into 'Faithful', a song with an awesome starting riff and some great bass playing from Jeff Ament. 'No Way' is a much more mellow sounding track and one of my personal favourites on the album, some of the guitar work is captivating in parts. 'Given To Fly' is one of the more well known tracks off the album, itself being a radio staple, Eddie Vedder sings this one with real emotion. Next up is 'Wishlist' were Eddie Vedder sings about wishing to be a weird variety of things from neutron bombs to Christmas trees! Its a great song, to be followed by 'Pilate', a thoughtful starting song which has a real rocking chorus. 'Do The Evolution' has to be the most powerful song on the album. Aside from being an aggressive, howling song, some of the words are almost prophetic with a number of the lines relating very much to the troubles in the world now (you'll see when you listen to it). Following this is a minute long untitled song which is kind of some experimental drum work from Jack Irons. Some people have criticised this song but I think it breaks the album up well. 'MFC' follows this which is another short and sweet hard rocker. 'Low Light' is a great slower song, with more passionate singing from Vedder and a killer guitar solo from Mike McCready towards the end of the track. Another slower track, 'In Hiding' is also excellent, featuring some catchy rhythms and more great lyrics. 'Push Me, Pull Me, is the most experimental track on the album. It has a weird start which sounds like a washing machine in operation! The song is kind of reminiscent to 'I'm Open' from 'No Code' with Vedder doing voice overs in parts, except this track is much more racier. If the album couln't get much better then we have the closing track, 'All Those Yesterdays'. A slow, almost lullaby-like song with an almost hypnotic nature to it (its another example of the Pearl Jam doing exceptional closing songs). Also there is a hidden track, which is an interesting Spanish/Latin American song with some clever guitar work and heavy drumming.

'Yield' is a masterpiece. The Pearl Jam have done some exceptional stuff during their time but this is up there near the top. Every song is great and it is almost impossible to pick a favourite because they're all so good! If there was any doubt as to the Pearl Jam's greatness, they dispelled it with this album and its has ultimately confirmed them with the greats. 'Yield' is a must buy ... next time your in the record shop, just look for the album with the road sign on the front and get it, you'll have no regrets obtaining this classic!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "I'm not trying to make a difference. No way.", June 12, 2007

By	Graeme Wallis (Newcastle, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Conceived at a period of détente in the band's turbulent career, Pearl Jam's fifth album is one that definitively documents exactly where the band was at that particular time (1998). Whereas Yield's predecessor No Code (1996) had been fraught with upheaval and was conversely inconsistent and experimental, Yield itself is its very antithesis.

When No Code was released Pearl Jam were still the main players in the - admittedly failing - grunge scene, yet by the time they entered the studio to record Yield Soundgarden and Screaming Trees had disbanded, Alice in Chains were in an irreversible state of coma, and The Smashing Pumpkins' Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness had obliterated the last remnants of grunge.

Yield however, showcases the greatness of Pearl Jam. Closing ranks impressively - the war of egos between singer Eddie Vedder and guitarist Stone Gossard having reached armistice - the band took stock, returned to Seattle and recorded their most honest, instinctual and diplomatic work to date.

Vedder's enchantment by nature and wilderness is brought prominently to the fore, and his elegant vocals belie the oft-pious bellow of earlier works. Indeed, Vedder's piety forms the basis of Yield, with the songs 'Faithfull' (marriage), 'Given to Fly' (christianity and penance), and the tiresome 'Wishlist' (contentment) - supported by bassist Jeff Ament's 'Low Light' and Gossard's 'All Those Yesterdays' - bearing witness to a more mature take on life's spiritual and secular ambiguities.

Additionally, Gossard and lead guitarist Mike McCready have never combined better than on Yield, with the former's refound gift for compositionally strong riffs perfectly complemented by the latter's uncharacteristically discreet lead playing. Pearl Jam's secret weapon on Yield however, is drummer Jack Irons in what was to prove his final outing with the band. Aside from his generally calming persona (as seen on the documentary of the album's recording, Single Video Theory) his propulsive and often eclectic approach to the drumkit ('Red Dot') suits Pearl Jam's expansive sound far more than current incumbent (ex-Soundgarden-er) Matt Cameron's.

Relaxed, inventive and adventurous, and without the merest hint of grunge cliché, Yield is the sound of a band finally at ease with both its superstar status and its loss thereof.