Pearl Jam: Single Video Theory (1998 Video) User Reviews

Great Documentary Chronicling the making of Yield

[MovieGuruII · 10/10 · 27 July 2004]

This DVD might not be for all music fans, but is a must for Pearl Jam fans. This DVD allows the viewer to see inside the Pearl Jam studio as the go through the complicated task of recording an album. This DVD was produced by the great

Cameron Crowe (i.e. writer/director of Singles & Almost Famous) . There is

over 40 minutes of performance and interviews. Also you get to see Jack Irons performing with the band before he had to leave the band.

I do believe that this DVD is now out of print, so if you see it buy it now before it is gone forever.

A good outline of how the studio processes work

[gage111 · 10/10 · 23 December 1999]

I feel a little biased because of my devotion to Pearl Jam but this video is excellent. I guess it really wouldn't appeal to you unless you like Pearl Jam. There's really not any appeal here except for the music, but for any devoted fan it's definately a must have.

great but too short

[milosz_m · 10/10 · 17 May 2004]

this is a great video.but it hurts that it's so short, because I can't get enough of pearl jam:) anyways I would make it a bit differently: I would divide every song as one chapter with comments from the bands on how it was recording it, how it was written etc.I think that there should be some extras.but we can't complain because it's a great insight on how great musicians work and how masterpieces are created.It also shows that they are as usual people as anyone of us:they argue, they are bored, laugh and prank each other.as I watched I noticed that the atmosphere in their studio was similar as when I record with my band:) it's a must have for any PJ fan but also for a any music fan.If you want to see the magic of creating music

Finally

[litepj · 10/10 · 20 February 2001]

It was what they are really like how they make their music. I liked it and it made me laugh at some points also. When Eddie say that basically he had a bad attitude then takes it back and says it was all Jeff's fault. Very funny and make them more human then most bands out today.

Filmed with Love to say the least...

[linus-27 · 10/10 · 21 January 2001]

If you like Pearl Jam you can't afford to miss this...

Beautiful, wonderful, truly an exellent portrait of Pearl Jam. The interviews with Vedder are in particular great, he seems different than in other interviews I have seen. You can feel some kind of harmony surrounding the band.

Filmed with Love.

Great look into a great band.

[sbh00 · 10/10 · 18 November 1999]

A really interesting film that allows you to see a band creating and working on music. Watch as Pearl Jam get ready for their 1998 tour by practicing out some new material. Great interviews with the band members allows for some personal moments. See how a great band fights and work through their difficulties. Directed by Mark Pellington, who did their video for "Jeremy" and the director of the film "Arlington Road." Put this one in your collection.

Even Flow.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 5/10 · 24 April 2011]

After having become a big fan of Grunge from hearing the Nirvana self-titled album (which was one of the first albums that I ever brought) and the amazing bleak vision of Alice In Chains,I decided to give Pearl Jam a try.due to hearing people mention them a lot with the other two Grunge bands that I was enjoying.And from the first moment of hearing the opening track to the bands first album (Ten),I instantly wanted to find more albums by the band right away.

With my dad having heard me play the bands albums over the years,I was very happy when,he surprised me by passing me a video that he had found of the band (although it did still have a 35p price tag stuck on the front of it!)

The outline of the documentary:

The documentary follows the alt-rock/Grunge band Pearl Jam just after they have finished doing their recent tour.With the band feeling rejuvenated from how well the tour went,they decide to instantly get back into the recording studio to make a new album (Yield).During the recording of the album,the band decide to take a huge risk by changing the way they write the songs,with it going from just one of them writing the lyrics (lead singer Eddie Vedder),to all five band members writing the songs together..

View on the film:

The first thing that I have to mention,is that the highlight of the film is easily the fantastic live "studio" performance of the band.With the band wisely deciding to not go the "traditional" way of studio recording of doing each section of the songs in separate booths,but to instead record and perform the songs the way they would at a live event.And due to the band being filmed at the same time,you are able to see them put a stunning amount of passion into the performances of the songs.Sadly due to the disappointingly short running time,director Mark Pellington is unable to get a real grip on Pearl Jam and their amazing history.For the interviews Pellington annoyingly makes all of them very short,with the only long interview in the film (about five minutes!),being an fun one with ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons,who revels that even after the band has sold millions of albums,they are still unable to believe that they have become so successful.

Final view on the film:

Some fantastic live "studio" performances of a great band,sadly let down by very disappointing interviews.