[jango]

Pearl Jam's "best stuff" is not in the nineties. Their commercial "decline" is due to the fact that they did not sell out to Sony interests. They distributed fewer albums with less fanfare a la the Dead.

McCready and Gossard are miles ahead of Thayil. McCready plays an eclectic mix of funk and rock with a blues tinge that finds its home in quiet ballads. Thayil, although magnificent, was much more straightforward and hard-hitting. Where Thayil would lay down a hard rock riff, McCready would play off Gossard's tempo and Vedder's vocals to create an atmosphere not seen (nor appreciated) during the era. Catchy riffs and style do not equal talent. McCready is the shit. Play Nothingman, Yellow Ledbetter, the solo in Alive, Down, the entire Mad Season album, TotD, etc.

Pearl Jam stuck to their roots, stayed true to the art and play to their fans and their fans only. No other band on that list does that or did that. They are a dying breed of rock musicians with no commercial interest and only that of providing quality music to those who truly appreciate it while inspiring development and rational thought. Ten and Vs. caught the eye of the public, but the public failed to grow with the band and adopted the Spice Girls and Third Eye Blind as well as numerous other "post-Grunge" bands with no talent. Soundgarden, STP, and to a certain extent, AIC existed in the moment and died with the moment. Nirvana was a product of another revolution and paved the way for grunge. Pearl Jam embodied and continue to embody grunge in their undying angst and style.

That is why they kick ass.