i have been a pearl jam fan since the 'ten' days more than eleven years ago. i have purchased each new record on its release date, flown across the country for shows, collected obscure editions of singles, and generally been a pearl jam nut for more than a decade.that said -- this is the band's finest recording to date. THIS IS pearl jam. from the menacing opening notes of 'go' it is clear that pearl jam sought to refine and legitmize the genre they brought to the forefront.'grunge'? no.'dirt rock'? no.this is what rock should be -- guitars, drums, and vocals. this epic takes the listener through the entire gambit of emotions -- from the straight up rage of 'rearviewmirror', which is the best song here, the political rantings of 'blood', the introspection of 'elderly woman...' all the way to the almost triumphant 'dissident'.buy this record if you would like to hear the cd which all other rock records should be measured against.