Live On Two Legs

Rate It! Avg: 4.5 (95 ratings)
ALBUM INFORMATION
LIVE
  • Artist: Pearl Jam (See All Albums by Pearl Jam)
  • Date Released: Nov 24, 1998

  • Genre: Alternative/Punk, Style: Indie Rock, Commercial Alternative, Rock, Alternative

  • Label: Epic

Total Tracks: 16   Total Length: 71:15

eMusic Review

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David Raposa

eMusic Contributor

David Raposa has been a contributing writer for Pitchfork since 2003, and has also written for the Independent Weekly, the Village Voice, the Hartford Courant, ...more »

09.16.11
A collection not lacking The Hits
1998 | Label: Epic

In terms of song selection, the biggest surprise on Live On Two Legs (the group’s first of many officially sanctioned live releases) might be the relative lack of Ten representation: It only gets two slots out of 16, and both of those tracks (“Black” and “Even Flow”) are in the back end of the setlist. Despite that minor quirk, the Legs set doesn’t lack for The Hits; if anything, it’s disappointing that the non-album tracks are limited to “Untitled” (an ersatz intro into “MFC”) and their righteous cover of Neil Young’s “Fucked Up.” Both “Elderly Woman” and “Betterman” are included, as are the singles from No Code and Yield, while the group stretches out the outro of “Daughter” to let Eddie Vedder sing lyrics from Neil Young’s “Keep On Rockin’ In The Free World” and his own “W.M.A.” Musically, the group sticks to the script, though the addition of a new cast member (then-temp drummer Matt Cameron) does add some wrinkles. He doesn’t show off at the expense of the tunes, but still manages to find space to flash some skill and make his mark (especially on “Corduroy” and “Hail, Hail”). If this tour was meant to be an ersatz… read more »

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good stuff

Touchedbyanoodle

The "Dissident" live cds from the broadcasted concert are probably the best live set available from PJ, but hard to come by. This was the only formal "live album" from the band, and it's a respectable release. Then they decided to just release about all of their concerts on cd. Good recordings, but not complete with all of the passion you might hope for in the performances.

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Pearl Jam + LIVE = Brilliant

spacecowboymaurice

I don't think I'm alone in thinking that this band has truly reinvented itself as a great live band over the last 15 years, especially after the Ticketmaster fiasco long time ago. It's clear that they're passionate about their music and really allows the music to come alive onstage in all their concerts. If anyone has experienced Pearl Jam Live they know the feeling and this collection of songs capture some of that PJ magic. One thing missing here: Yellow Ledbetter

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Can you go wrong...

PossumKingdom

with Pearl Jam? Great collection of songs. Guitar solo on Even Flow is incredible.

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They Say All Media Guide

Not long after Ten unexpectedly topped the charts, Pearl Jam became notorious for their intense live performances. Even more notable than the group’s unbridled energy was their willingness to stretch out their songs or throw in covers, reminding jaded audiences that rock concerts could be electric and energetic. Their Seattle peers were equally (sometimes more) compelling, but Pearl Jam skillfully made arena rock feel as intimate as a punk club show — something that no other band of their time could do. Instead of building this reputation throughout the course of the ’90s, the quintet let it fade away as they became embroiled in a vicious battle with Ticketmaster that ultimately proved unfruitful. Not only did the court cases tie up several years of touring, they also refused to play any venue with contracts with Ticketmaster once it was finished — which meant they played off-market venues that were difficult to reach, thereby decreasing their potential audience substantially. Once 1998′s Yield didn’t move as much as anyone expected, the band released Live on Two Legs a few short months later. It was culled from Yield’s supporting tour, and the difference is substantial — Pearl Jam still sounds good, but they lack the wild energy that distinguished their early years. Professionalism has its good points, however, and it’s true that Live on Two Legs is eminently listenable, thanks in no small part to a fine track selection illustrating that the best moments of No Code and Yield rank with Ten, Vs., and Vitalogy. For all the good points — the tight interaction, the occasional nifty solo, Eddie Vedder’s powerful performance — the album never quite catches fire. Instead, Live on Two Legs is a souvenir, a thank you to fans who have stood by throughout the years, and on those terms, it’s successful. – Stephen Thomas Erlewine

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