Riot Act is the seventh studio album by Pearl Jam, released on November 12, 2002. The album’s music was diverse, including songs influenced by folk, art rock, and experimental rock. The lyrics deal with mortality and existentialism, influenced by both the political climate following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the accidental death of nine fans during Pearl Jam‘s performance at the 2000 Roskilde Festival.
The album cover, photographed by Jeff Ament, features two skeletons with crowns. The forged metal figurines were created by blacksmith Kelly Gilliam. According to Ament, the band had trouble coming up with a name for the album. After the artwork was finalized and the tracks sequenced, the band spent weeks trying to come up with a title. Eddie Vedder suggested the Riot Act, and the band members went along with it because they were tired of trying to find a title.
Riot Act was the first Pearl Jam album to feature Kenneth Boom Gaspar on keyboards, most notably on the song Love Boat Captain. Riot Act features a diverse sound, including experimental and folk songs. The Musical Experiments spawned several songs on the album with alternate tunings, including You Are, All or None and Bu$hlaguer.
A sample of I Am Mine, the first single released from the album. The song has a warm, acoustic sound and lyrics written by Eddie Vedder about personal freedom.
A sample of Save You, the second single released from the album. The song is heavily influenced by garage rock. Riot Act‘s lyrics were more direct than on previous albums, in response to the political climate that followed the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Some songs feature lyrical collaborations between Vedder and other members of the group: one with Ament (Ghost), one with Cameron (You Are), and two with Stone Gossard (Bu$hleaguer and All or None). The only lyrical contributions from band members other than Vedder include Matt Cameron with Get Right and Jeff Ament with Help, Help. The album’s lyrics address existential issues (Love Boat Captain, Cropduster and I Am Mine), as well as social and political concerns (Green Sickness, Bu$hleaguer and 1/2 Full). The lyrics of Save You represent the anger felt by anyone who sees a close friend wasting their life. Regarding Love Boat Captain, Vedder said, “Love is a resource that corporations will not be able to monopolize”.
Vedder said that Cropduster is “about the man’s giant ego, which is the most important thing.” on the planet”. Regarding the green disease, Vedder stated that he was baffled with the salaries of corporate CEOs and managers and “how anyone can justify taking so much at the expense of other people’s livelihoods”, bu$hleaguer is a satirical commentary on President George W. Bush.
Tracklist:
- Can’t Keep
- Save You
- Love Boat Captain
- Cropduster
- Ghost
- I Am Mine
- Thumbing My Way
- You Are
- Get Right
- Green Disease
- Help Help
- Bu$hleaguer
- ½ Full
- Arc
- All or None
Pearl Jam
Jeff Ament: bass guitar, cover, inside photos; credited as (Al Nostreet) for album concept
Matt Cameron: drums, percussion, rhythm guitar on (You Are)
Stone Gossard: guitar
Mike McCready: guitar
Eddie Vedder: guitar, vocals; credited as (ev) for typist
Additional musicians and production
John Burton: additional engineering
Danny Clinch: additional inside photography
Boom Gaspar: Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes
Kenny Gilliam: forged metal figures
Sam Hofstedt: engineering
Adam Kasper: production, recording, piano
Gregg Keplinger: drum technician
Brad Klausen: LBC illustration, layout and design
Brendan O’Brien: mixing
Pearl Jam: production
George Webb: guitar technician
