Pearl Jam

Pearl Jam expanded their pool of concert numbers for the second night in London. Striving for "something completely different" in the words of Eddie Vedder, this night features the tour debut of some songs from the band's black sheep album, 1996's No Code. Among these are "Sometimes," "Habit," and "Off He Goes." Song debuts from other albums include "In Hiding," "Dissident," and "Not for You." This branching out creates the first real alternate set list of the tour, and it is the first show selected as one of the band's favorites. Just a week into the tour, the guys are still trying to work out the kinks, especially on the songs played for the first time, but the performance is generally good. Vedder curses out Mike McCready in jest for accidentally hitting him with his guitar. McCready, in turn, shows Vedder a scar he had allegedly given him in 1992. The band closes with two huge hits from Ten, "Black" and "Alive." Although that might seem like a logical way to construct the set, it was the only time they did that all year. Overall, the best show thus far on the tour five shows in. However, in the big picture, a concert which is not one of the best of the European tour and not essential. ~ Steven Jacobetz, All Music Guide