PEARL JAM – LOST DOGS
[EPIC]
For all those Pearl Jam fans who have been prowling the Internet or who actually had the money to spend on all singles and compilations over the past 12 years tracking down every last song, this compilation may seem less exciting. But 'Hold On', did you say that 12 of the 32 tracks on Lost Dogs are previously unreleased, anywhere commercially or otherwise! Looks like Pearl Jam has given incentive for even the most die-hard fans to go spend another $30.
This two-disc collection of b-sides and other rarities from one of the greatest and most successful bands of our time is not just some vacant money grab. Always striving to give their fans the most bang for their buck, Pearl Jam has compiled nearly two hours worth of essential listening spanning their entire career. From such early classics as 'Hard To Imagine' and 'Yellow Ledbetter' to last year’s excellent Riot Act b-sides, much of Lost Dogs shows Vedder and Co. at their best. Included are five tracks taken from their fanclub singles given out to members almost annually at Christmas since 1992. The most recognized of these is 'Last Kiss' which, when released as single aiding displaced Kosovo refugees, became their highest charting single ever. Also representing Pearl Jam’s social consciousness are their contributions to the Music for Our Mother Ocean [M.O.M.] and Home Alive benefits dedicated to fighting pollution and domestic violence. Of the previously unreleased material, highlights include No Code and Binaural outtakes 'All Night' and 'Education' as well as 'Sad' and 'Hold On' of unknown origin. The final two selections, 'Bee Girl' and an untitled hidden track are odes to fallen fellow musicians Shannon Hoon [Blind Melon] and Layne Staley [Alice In Chains]. Listening to Lost Dogs makes you wonder why it took so long for these songs to be released.
Of course, for those die-hard fans, this is not as complete as they may have liked. Left off are Yield b-side 'Leatherman', Merkinball classics 'I Got Id' and 'Long Road', and 'State Of Love & Trust' and 'Breath' off the Singles soundtrack from ’92. Also failing to make the cut are fanclub singles 'Happy When I’m Crying', 'Olympic Platinum' and, my personal favourite, Dead Boys cover, 'Sonic Reducer'.
Still, as is, Lost Dogs is well worth the wait and well worth the buy for any Pearl Jam fan, casual or die-hard. Us die-hards will just have to hope for a sequel compilation in the future to round up those dogs that are still missing.
4/5
