10 Most Underappreciated Rock Albums

In 2009, Pearl Jam were still a huge touring rock band. Their heyday may have been the early-'90s, but there was a bit of a resurgence in their popularity in the early-'00s, thanks in part to the success of the 2002 record, Riot Act.

Nevertheless, the 2000s were a time that the band were in the process of becoming somewhat of a heritage act; the tours were the big thing, and they were expected to play the hits and keep new stuff to a minimum. But this brisk, 36-minute wonder presented the band at their most upbeat, earnest and, dare we say, fun. Frontman Eddie Vedder puts his good mood down to the relative tranquillity of the Obama administration, and the record’s upbeat vibe is reportedly a means of keeping their live shows as energetic as possible (well, they’re not getting any younger, y’know).

Pearl Jam's output has slowed somewhat in the intervening years; just two subsequent records have been released at time of writing, and neither are as vibrant as this little beauty.

Standout Tracks: Gonna See My Friend, Just Breathe and Amongst The Waves.