Live On Ten Legs

Synopsis

An explicit sequel to 1998’s Live on Two Legs, 2011’s Live on Ten Legs offers a portrait of Pearl Jam's new millennium, collecting 18 highlights recorded between 2003 and 2010. The decade was fruitful for Pearl Jam, the band generating a wave of four solid albums that nevertheless get no greater showcase than here their ‘90s alt rock standards, with “Jeremy,” “Alive,” “Spin the Black Circle,” “Animal,” “State of Love and Trust,” “Porch,” and “Yellow Ledbetter” all receiving prominent placement. If there are any surprises in store, they arrive via the inclusion of two covers -- Joe Strummer's “Arms Aloft,” a better fit for Pearl Jam than Public Image Ltd's “Public Image” -- because the music itself is straight-up solid, modern Pearl Jam, the band stalwartly anchored by Matt Cameron, who gives the muscle and a steadier pulse. Pearl Jam may stretch out on-stage, but their live shows remain not about virtuosity, they’re about force, energy, the experience; an experience which is diminished somewhat on record, but not by much. Perhaps the performances aren’t enough to warrant a reassessment or revival, but they’re consistently strong and a testament to Pearl Jam's endurance. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine