-
8.3
59989
8.3 |
A.V. Club
Still feels fresher and more relevant than the world at large might expect at this point—this classic-rock band still has at least a few classics left in it
Read Review
-
8.0
60076
8.0 |
The Arts Desk
Though the 'Jam are not renowned for flying off on avant-garde post-rock tangents, they ring some nifty changes through these dozen tracks
Read Review
-
8.0
60087
8.0 |
State
An honest, good hearted piece of work
Read Review
-
8.0
59951
8.0 |
All Music
They've grown into that classic rock mantle, accentuating the big riffs and bigger emotions, crafting songs without a worry as to whether they're hip or not
Read Review
-
8.0
59952
8.0 |
PopMatters
Lightning Bolt is sure to rank among one of the high points of the group’s discography, standing as an example of their ability to burrow down and hone all of their strengths to a fever pitch
Read Review
-
8.0
60180
8.0 |
Q
The way they shift from the blues-y swagger of Let The Record Play to the percussive march of Pendulum and the R.E.M.-evoking country twang of Yellow Moon is a sure sign that they belong in the lineage of great American rock bands. Print edition only
-
8.0
60264
8.0 |
Mojo
The softer tracks find the group negotiating their path to maturity and confidence. Print edition only
-
7.5
61349
7.5 |
Under The Radar
Lightning Bolt finds Pearl Jam sounding more comfortable in its collective skin and with its collective influences than perhaps ever before
Read Review
-
7.0
59986
7.0 |
Rolling Stone
Many of the best songs are downtempo, reflecting the vibe of Vedder's more folk-rocky solo projects
Read Review
-
7.0
59949
7.0 |
Clash
This set is teeming with energy despite its down moments, and demands to be played again in its entirety as soon as it ends
Read Review
-
7.0
59974
7.0 |
Uncut
The commitment of Eddie Vedder's delivery brings a veracity even to some of the more ponderous ballads. Print edition only
-
6.5
59942
6.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Lightning Bolt, much like its predecessor Backspacer, stands in such stark contrast to PJ’s best work. That is to say, there’s no inherently bad songwriting here, but most of it isn’t particularly interesting, either
Read Review
-
6.0
59943
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
Pearl Jam has slipped into alt-rock elder statesmanship as one would a comfortable old sweater. And as Lightning Bolt mostly attests, it's a decent look for them
Read Review
-
6.0
59944
6.0 |
The Guardian
A few ponderous moments aside, this is a sturdy return to great form
Read Review
-
6.0
59945
6.0 |
The Independent
Though not quite as impressive as 2009's Backspacer, this follow-up offers a similarly broad range of styles
Read Review
-
6.0
59946
6.0 |
The Irish Times
A good, old-fashioned classic rock combo crafting riff-heavy songs with poppy hooks, a punk edge and a solid guitar solo in the middle
Read Review
-
6.0
59947
6.0 |
The Observer
Might offer little in the way of surprises, but then their last decade of stadium-rock superstardom hasn't been characterised by rampant experimentation
Read Review
-
6.0
59948
6.0 |
Consequence Of Sound
It’s a far cry from their really great stuff, but I also temper that criticism with expectations
Read Review
-
6.0
59950
6.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Not classic Pearl Jam by any stretch - let’s not get carried away here - but enough to kindle at least a little optimism for whatever comes next
Read Review
-
6.0
59980
6.0 |
The Digital Fix
A middling offering with enough good tunes to please old fans, and tracks like 'Pendulum' and 'Yellow Moon' show that these guys still have a bit of the old fire left
Read Review
-
6.0
59983
6.0 |
Spin
Lightning Bolt strikes neatly between 2013's two big 20th-anniversary Nirvana encomiums, sharing absolutely no DNA with the scabrous In Utero and only glancing at Unplugged in New York's blood-on-the-frets catharsis
Read Review
-
6.0
60126
6.0 |
Evening Standard
Pearl Jam still purvey the same old rock ‘n’ roll sieved through a filter of grunge
Read Review
-
6.0
60140
6.0 |
Time Out
A decent record, but not a remarkable one
Read Review
-
6.0
60073
6.0 |
musicOMH
Lightning Bolt is a mixed bag. It does punk well, hard rock terribly, and soft both effectively and ineffectively
Read Review
-
5.0
59995
5.0 |
Pitchfork
Pearl Jam on record have essentially been reduced to the rock ‘n’ roll version of wearing sweatpants: they’ve given up trying to impress anyone, so they may as well be comfortable
Read Review
-
4.0
60043
4.0 |
Paste Magazine
The worst album of their career
Read Review
-
4.0
59971
4.0 |
NME
Tries to experiment with prog-lite and jangle pop and delivers some punky four-chorders
Read Review
-