The Most Underrated Pearl Jam Album of All Time

2025-07-04

Grunge band Pearl Jam.

While many of the albums in grunge rock band Pearl Jam’s discography get attention, one is often overlooked until now. – Author: Anne Erickson, Photo via Danny Clinch

Pearl Jam don’t really have any bad albums, but the legendary grunge rockers certainly have some albums that could have gotten more attention. Of course, the band’s most well-known and celebrated record is their major-label debut, “Ten,” which arrived on August 27, 1991, just a few weeks before Nirvana released “Nevermind.”

The mention of “Nevermind” is because even if one thinks “Ten” is a better record, it’s hard to argue against the idea that “Ten” would have never gotten the attention it did without “Nevermind.” Nirvana’s sophomore album made grunge huge, and that turned listeners onto other grunge bands releasing music at the time, such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.

But, there are a few Pearl Jam albums that could have gotten more attention. One of those stands out as the most underrated Pearl Jam album of all time

This Pearl Jam Album Deserves More Attention

Pearl Jam released “Yield” in 1998, which was a weird time for grunge music. The genre was still hurting from the loss of Kurt Cobain in 1994, and frankly, any band that formed and released music after Cobain’s death was considered post-grunge.

At the same time, some of the post-grunge bands that were forming had a different and much more commercial sound than bands such as Pearl Jam. Shinedown, Seether and Creed all had a more polished and anthemic sound, and while they took inspiration from the grunge genre, they were just a different animal.

But, Pearl Jam continued to make music during this difficult time for grunge, and “Yield” was really an unsung masterpiece. It’s often forgotten when sifting through the band’s lengthy discography.

What makes “Yield” so special is that it marked a return to Pearl Jam’s more raw and uncomplicated sound. It’s just a raging rock ‘n’ roll record that’s easy to digest and understand.

“Yield” marked Pearl Jam’s fifth release, and it featured the singles “Given to Fly,” “Wishlist” and “Do the Evolution.” While none of those songs were as huge on the radio as “Jeremy” or “Alive,” they’re just as special. “Given to Fly” did reach No. 1 on the mainstream rock chart but didn’t have much staying power. Here, the guys showed off their love for classic rock with a sound that’s not dissimilar to Led Zeppelin.

Not everyone was a fan of “Yield.” In a Rolling Stone review at the time, the outlet said, “There’s not much bluster on Yield, and even the rockers have an uncommonly easy touch that’s new to Pearl Jam.” But, the publication also said that they overall liked the album and appreciated its softer feel.

Stereogum fondly writes of the release, “There are true uplifting moments on ‘Yield’ despite the darkness. And between that, and all the band members coming together to explore various directions, the sound of the album is something Pearl Jam might’ve seemed to have from the outside, as one of the biggest bands in the world, and yet had been fighting for ever since they began: freedom.”

So, yes, the next time Pearl Jam’s albums come up on a playlist or old-fashioned juke box, give “Yield” another listen.

Anne Erickson
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Posted by Anne Erickson | Features, Grunge, Music

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