5 Stars since it's probably really a 4.5, but I'll round UP considering I wasn't expecting to be this in love with it
I love this whole album. Definitely most comparable to Yield in many ways, and their best album since that one.
Pearl Jam is my favorite band, I love listening to music, I play music hear and there, and I feel music. But generally speaking, when it comes to this band, my most common reaction / feeling when I listen to studio PJ is FUCK YEAH! Excitement. Being pumped up, unless I'm just trying to relax and chill. There are songs for that, too.
But this one... Man, I got emotional a number of times on this album, and after listening a dozen times or so, I still do. Those opening chords to Waiting For Stevie, and when they come back when the drums drop by after the bridge. It's just as Stip details in his review. Setting Sun too.
I truly love them all, but top tier are: Waiting for Stevie, Upper Hand, Setting Sun, Won't Tell, React / Respond
Everything else is really great too, Something Special's probably my least favorite, but I still have a lot of love for it.
The hype was real. I'm proud of these guys. I think it was really great that a true fan had a seat at the table for the construction of this record. Cheers to Andrew Watt!