Five against One by Kim Neely Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Five against One
Book Review: A great early history of PJ
Summary: 4 Stars
As a fan I found this book a very interesting read. Great details and stories go into each member's history and the formation of pearl jam. Excellent detail on the first few albums.
You should keep in mind that this is written from the point of view of a Rolling Stone magazine author so it is sure to have a slightly different angle on things than a fan. It was released just after Yield and therefore has a very very quick summary of the few years before it.
Of course pearl jam is still going strong and could probably warrant a second volume of this book. But this is a great look back at the early days of Pearl Jam.
Book Review: A great reference to everything you need to know about PJ.
Summary: 5 Stars
Gives detailed account of the band member's early life. Great account of Eddie's childhood. Thorough description of the band's music and their life on the road. A must have for any true Pearl Jam fan.Book Review: A horrible book from a mediocre writer
Summary: 1 Stars
Save your money and do a Google and Wikipedia search for Vedder, and you'll end up with much better quality information than this book. It's obviously a sensationalistic attempt at cashing in on Pearl Jam.
The writer manages to almost completely ignore the band's music (and, for that matter, the band, since this is a book about all the dirt she could dig up on Vedder). She managed to interview only people carrying grudges for the band or the singer (I wonder why...): think Dave Abrusezze, the drummer that got fired, and Vedder's stepfather, who obviously have their own take on things. When the book is not whining from the perspective of these people, it paints stick figures of everyone in the band except Vedder.
The book can only be called accurate if you consider one-sidedness accurate.
Anyone with a working brain and more than 30 minutes exposure to Pearl Jam's music will be able to figure this book out for what it is: yet another hanger-on's attempt to make money off somebody else's work.
If you must read this book, borrow it from a friend, or at least buy it used.
Book Review: A must read. Wow!
Summary: 5 Stars
The story Pearl Jam doesn't want you to read, yowza! This book is fun, gossipy, and admirably researched. Interviews with the band and their friends are weaved together to form a highly informative "he said/she said" history. It includes a substantial amount of original reportage and shines above previous, less comprehensive bios. I found particularly gripping the truth (finally!) about Dave Abruzzeze's firing, and the chapter on Eddie Vedder's background, where his own recollections are supplemented with the accounts of his mother, father, and others who "knew him when." Also enjoyed the blow by blow description of the Ticketmaster feud, and the amusing stories about Eddie's penchant for self promotion. His public image is challenged with a series of vignettes that reveal him to be much more image conscious than he lets on. However, to the author's credit, his more generous and admirable traits are given equal time. There is enough controversial material that this book is unlikely to be embraced by the "Eddie is God" crowd. But if you're curious about the truth behind the celebrity facade, you will probably enjoy this book very much. I will look for other books by this author.Book Review: A seemingly balanced prespective on the band and it's leader
Summary: 4 Stars
I've just recently become interested in the music of Pearl Jam by way of an article I read on their bassist Jeff Ament in an old copy of Bass Player magazine. I then purchased the Rearview Mirror CD and surprisingly as a 43 yr old guy have been hooked ever since and wanted to learn more about the band. I thought this was an interesting read in that it shows how much these artists suffered through considerable loss and hurt and persevered to make their dreams a reality. While some may see Neely's portrayal of Vedder as highlighting his hypocrisy I think her portrayal aptly shows how his difficult upbringing has created a complex young man who predictably eschewed authority and demonstrated some integrity albeit in a ruthless business. I honestly pained for this man as I read her portrayal of his childhood and the circumstances of how he learned who his real father was and his complex relationship or lack thereof with his adopted father. Like many, a child of divorce in the 70-80s, I identified with the circumstances and it reminded me of how I felt and how these feeling drove me to express myself in music as well. I was however dismayed at the way the band apparently treated their drummer Dave A.. However, the fact that Dave was the only "previous" memeber of the band to contribute to the book does call into question the impartiality of the content in this regard. I would have like to have also learned more about the other members of the band who each give PJ their unique style and magic for it is the whole that makes a band not just one individual. By the way, this is a band that really shines and emotes in live performances. I can't stop playing this stuff.