Rating: 
Summary: An intimate and revealing look at the members of Pearl Jam
Review: Kim Neely writes a passionate and revealing novel about the inner workings of Pearl Jam. She delves into the Seattle scene at the birth of Green Rivers and completes the book with tales of Yield. This book changed the way I see their lyrics and music. I am moved by her poetic and sometimes emotional words. The deaths of Andrew Wood and Kurt Cobain have as much impact as stories about the Ticketmaster battle and Eddie Vedder's struggles with life and success.
Rating: 
Summary: 5vs.1
Review: Slow start. The middle of the book mostly about Eddie. Very informative. Seemed to die out as the ending neared.
Rating: 
Summary: Band vs Rolling Stone
Review: Some say they Kim Neely's attack on the band is in part to do with her connections to ROLLING STONE mangazine who have also attacked Pearl Jam in their magazine. But what she does in the book is to show the other side of the story that you get from Pearl Jam's press. Fans may not like what it reports but you have to see both sides of the story even if it puts Eddie Vedder in bad light. While some say the interviews are slanted against the band on some topics the band's view would be slanted the other way. Read this and then read Pearl Jams side of the story and then pick the middle ground cause both sides have some truth to their views.
Rating:
Summary: Well-balanced, overall
Review: The author attempts, as much as possible, to relate the history of Pearl Jam objectively. Wherever possible, she sympathizes with the band and especially the lead singer but, perhaps curiously, doesn't defend him or the band when they apparently were in the wrong, such as in their treatment of their second drummer, Dave Abbruzzeze. Apparently, Vedder desired Jack Irons for his band and apparently treated Abbruzzeze with a cold shoulder and berated him for appreciating the success the band experienced; perhaps he hoped he would take the hint and quit. The others toed the line, one might assume, and subjected him to similar treatment, so the overall impression was that Dave had a miserable three years in the band and one wonders just why he didn't quit early and instead got fired under BS circumstances. I can't imagine that every waking second was crap for the drummer, but, overall, the evidence seems pretty damning and there is no effort by either the author or the band to redeem themselves on this count. ...Anyway, don't mean to give the impression that this book is just about that. There's much more, including the origin of the band, EV's childhood and the band's ordeal with Ticketmaster. It covers pretty much all up until the release of YIELD.
Rating:
Summary: Well-balanced, overall
Review: The author attempts, as much as possible, to relate the history of Pearl Jam objectively. Wherever possible, she sympathizes with the band and especially the lead singer but, perhaps curiously, doesn't defend him or the band when they apparently were in the wrong, such as in their treatment of their second drummer, Dave Abbruzzeze. Apparently, Vedder desired Jack Irons for his band and apparently treated Abbruzzeze with a cold shoulder and berated him for appreciating the success the band experienced; perhaps he hoped he would take the hint and quit. The others toed the line, one might assume, and subjected him to similar treatment, so the overall impression was that Dave had a miserable three years in the band and one wonders just why he didn't quit early and instead got fired under BS circumstances. I can't imagine that every waking second was crap for the drummer, but, overall, the evidence seems pretty damning and there is no effort by either the author or the band to redeem themselves on this count. ...Anyway, don't mean to give the impression that this book is just about that. There's much more, including the origin of the band, EV's childhood and the band's ordeal with Ticketmaster. It covers pretty much all up until the release of YIELD.
Rating: 
Summary: Eddie Vedder and those other guys in Pearl Jam
Review: The book started out good with biographies on Jeff and Stone but took a turn for the worst when the rest of the book was nothing but Ten, Ten, Ten and Eddie, Eddie, Eddie. The book seemed to slam on the band and Eddie in particular due to all the interviews being of a negative nature. When the author finally got done talking about Ten and Eddie Vedder's family tree around page 250 they decided to write about those other albums for the last 100 pages. I really wouldn't recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: This needs to be a Pearl Jam book, not a book on Ed.
Review: The book was informative, but, The book is about PEARL JAM noteddie vedder, and how bad he was, and like many reveiws say, turn intoan eddie bio mid point. Why dont we hear a little about Stones or Mikes or even a little about the overlooked BEST DRUMMER EVER Dave? How about a little history on them? Buy this book if you want to learn about eddies parents, and his childhood, but not if you actually care about the other band members.
Rating:
Summary: Ed Vedder biography
Review: The first half of this book was great. It gave a very detailed look into the Seattle music scene of the late 80's, early 90's, but most importantly how tragedy brought together the greatest rock band of our generation. Unfortunetly somewhere near the middle, this book turned into a biography on Eddie Vedder. Frankly, Eddie Vedder's childhood and early life aren't that interesting. If you're a die hard P.J. fan, buy the book, otherwise forget it.
Rating:
Summary: A must read. Wow!
Review: The story Pearl Jam doesn't want you to read, yowza! This book is fun, gossipy, and admirably researched. Interviews with the band and their friends are weaved together to form a highly informative "he said/she said" history. It includes a substantial amount of original reportage and shines above previous, less comprehensive bios. I found particularly gripping the truth (finally!) about Dave Abruzzeze's firing, and the chapter on Eddie Vedder's background, where his own recollections are supplemented with the accounts of his mother, father, and others who "knew him when." Also enjoyed the blow by blow description of the Ticketmaster feud, and the amusing stories about Eddie's penchant for self promotion. His public image is challenged with a series of vignettes that reveal him to be much more image conscious than he lets on. However, to the author's credit, his more generous and admirable traits are given equal time. There is enough controversial material that this book is unlikely to be embraced by the "Eddie is God" crowd. But if you're curious about the truth behind the celebrity facade, you will probably enjoy this book very much. I will look for other books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Truly the Pearl Jam story.
Review: The title of this book is the best summary for this book. This book follows the earliest beginnings of the band. The book also includes rare photos of Eddie Vedder's childhood. I thought that I knew all there was to know about Pearl Jam. Read this book!
|
