Peer pressure is a hell of a drug... After avoiding this for years, I was inspired to listen after reading some of the fanatical reviews extolling the virtues of Vedder and the band. And I'll admit the whole Ticketmaster thing was noble. The music behind the voice is tolerable, even good. I love the intro to Black and Release, but at the end of the day, all Pearl Jam is Eddie Vedder. Either you like his presence and voice or you tolerate it. Regardless, I enjoyed listening to this more than I thought I could. And though I certainly don't hate it, it's not music that I find myself searching for.