pop culture, reviewed

I am at work this fine Saturday afternoon and, as is my custom, I bought a live CD to help myself cope.  This week’s choice was Pearl Jam’s massive Live at the Gorge CD set (it’s going to be a long day).  While the whole set would be more PJ than most people need, I have to say the first disc, featuring a quasi-acoustic ballad-heavy set is fantastic.  Seriously, 45 minutes of awesome — including excellent versions of “Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town,” “Low Light”, “Crazy Mary,” and “Black”, as well as a superb cover of the Ramones’ “I Believe in Miracles.”  If iTunes (not available on my work computer) will let you download just the first disc, I highly recommend checking it out.  These guys really have become a fantastic live band.

(The rest (I’m through about 3.5 CDs so far) is great as well, but, like I said, that’s a lot of Eddie and the gang for most people.)