No Code
by Pearl Jam

From SomethingSpecial 06/29/2025 12:16 | #309776

While fans often consider Ten, Vs and Vitalogy to be a perfect trilogy, 1996's No Code is as arguably essential as Vs and Vitalogy, if not on the level of Ten. While it received mixed reviews from critics upon release, it has aged just as well as anything they've made, and is a perfect time capsule, showcasing the band still at the peak of their powers. Off He Goes and Present Tense alone prove that Pearl Jam were not done after Vitalogy.

From Strangel 04/04/2024 09:21 | #302842

While not being an out band out classic like the first 3 albums, No Code is a little underrated. It’s a far more interesting listen than anything that followed in their discography. At this point in their career they had the chance to continue to progress their sound in more diverse and experimental ways but instead went for the safety of what became known as a ‘dad rock’ sound which is why they’ve lost a lot of credibility along the way. In My Tree is a standout for me. I love the rumbling drums and melodic vocal directions taken. I’m also a big fan of the inner musings of Who You Are which spoke to me more at the time of release than some of the more forced rockier songs that they proceeded to release from this time on.

From VictorVale 04/13/2022 20:10 | #284209

Final de sua grande fase, clássico!

Obviously not as good as Vs or Ten, but it's a decent album. Highlights are Red Mosquito and Smile.

Pearl Jam’s last artistic statement before making increasingly safer albums (probably due to this albums poor reception).

Opener Sometimes is low key and a nice contrast to all previous openers, Hail Hail is probably my favourite song here, the upbeat songs tend to be great in fact, Smile reminds me a lot of Neil Young, Red Mosquito and Lukin are both great as well, Habit is a little straightforward but decent. Some great slower, more reflective cuts in Off he Goes and Present Tense as well.

There are some moments that bog the album down though Who You Are, I’m Open and Round The Bend don’t really do much for me and Mankind is a song I still don’t know if I love or hate.

Definitely check this one out , probably be something you’ll like on here as it’s a really diverse record.

From Brandon8 02/04/2020 22:58 | #247501 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

This album was the dividing line of Pearl Jam’s studio work. Their first 3 albums had enough radio friendly hits to keep the huge bandwagon fans and hype surrounding the band. This album at the time was a disappointment for myself included. Now that I look back at it the album is very good. It was a deep breath for the band a more mature recording. The 1st half at least should have been satisfying enough for bandwagons but they moved on to something else and Pearl Jam continued on this path for the foreseeable future making solid respectable work.

From jeremy9 09/18/2019 17:44 | #242776

One of the best Pearl Jam album

In Ten, Vs, and Vitalogy PJ rushed with anguish through social and personal conflicts.

This is an album based on sound exploration and a more metaphysical pondering. You've seen them experience life and now is time to consider their approach to it.

I love this album.

From ExTeaSea 09/15/2018 02:05 | #221078

My favorite Pearl Jam album.

From luigybetis 07/05/2018 21:45 | #217812

I like this change of pace, better than Vs. and Vitalogy in my opinion. 7.5/10.