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Title: Safe and middle-of-the-road
Review: For a band self-styled on being contrarian, this collection reveals Pearl Jam as safe and middle-of-the-road. Disc 1 ("Up") contains more rocking fare, including the requisite anthems from "Ten," as well as "hits" from the band's increasingly anti-commercial output afterwards. Quirkier moments like "Do the Evolution" stand out amongst largely generic blues-based rock. Disc 2 ("Down") contains more pensive material, and is downright miserable, skirting perilously close to Hootie and the Blowfish. Blatant ripoffs of Neil Young ("Not for You") and Led Zeppelin ("Given to Fly") also detract.
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