Bayleaf

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Bayleaf album cover
Album Information

Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 39:39

eMusic Features

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Icon: Pearl Jam

By eMusic Editorial Staff, eMusic Contributor

When Pearl Jam finally compiled a catalog-skimming greatest hits collection in 2004 - a decade after the demise of Nirvana, six years after they stole Soundgarden's drummer and nearly 15 into their platinum-lined career - they really should have considered changing its title from rearviewmirror to We're Still Alive. After all, who would've thought they'd be grunge's Last Band Standing back when Kurt Cobain called the Seattle vets 'sellouts' and Eddie Vedder was swinging from… more »

They Say All Music Guide

Although he’s known primarily for the raw rock of his full-time band, Pearl Jam, longtime fans know that guitarist Stone Gossard has a thing for funk — as evidenced by his criminally underappreciated side project, Brad, and the groups (Weapon of Choice, Critters Buggin) he’s signed to his record label, Loose Groove. Gossard’s first true solo album, Bayleaf, was released in 2001 and, as expected, the CD contains tracks full of both up-tempo and laid-back grooves. While not as strong as his output with Brad, Bayleaf still has its moments and, although he’s sung before on record (the Pearl Jam track “Mankind”), it’s here that Gossard gets the chance to show off his vocal skills fully for the first time, singing lead on seven of the album’s ten tracks (guest vocalists Ty Wilman and Pete Droge, who also produced the album, sing the rest). Individual standouts include the guitar-driven “Pigeon,” the ballad “Anchors,” the funky “Cadillac,” and the sparse album closer (and first single), “Fend It Off.” – Greg Prato

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