Search - Stone Gossard :: Bayleaf

Good record

Matt W. | tucson, az | 09/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Stone has done a lot of the writing for Pearl Jam's songs, and did lead vocal on the song "Mankind" off the "No Code" LP, one of Pearl Jam's most underrated albums. He also more or less plays the background man--at least when I've seen them live it's really Mike McCready and Eddie Vedder that like to hog the spotlight. But Stone is a great player as well--he doesn't bust out into Hendrix-style solos as often as McCready but he has a very distinct playing style that I like. Stone plays a lot of the instruments on "Bayleaf" himself, but gets a little help from some of his friends. No recognizable names that I saw credited, however. His lyrics are very lamentable but he comes up with some great songs like the title track and especially "Pigeon". So I'd recommend buying this--especially if you're a PJ fan like myself, you'd be a fool not to have it. And it'll tide you over until the next Pearl Jam record, and I'm hoping that there will be one."

Yeah, Baby!

bernadetteg | NY, NY United States | 12/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"(note: this is just an except of my cover story on this album for the Island Ear)
"To call Stone Gossard one of the originators -- if not THE originator -- of the so-called 'grunge' scene is an understatement . . . yet, for all his prominence and talent, Gossard is often checkmated by his more flamboyant bandmates . . . until Bayleaf."On a personal note: I've always been one for quirky albums, and this certainly qualifies. He's not an overdramatic singer, unlike Ed Vedder can be from time to time (hey, I love Pearl Jam as much as the next one! Don't get me wrong here!), and his songwriting skills are more than up to par with the likes of Lou Reed and Patti Smith. Try "Cadillac" for the ultimate pick-me-up, it's a real rump-shaker! Highly recommended for the thinking crowd; N'Sync fans need not apply."

Shame On You!

Dan Wrigley | uk | 08/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Before I start I have to say this, If you are expecting a Pearl Jam album look elsewhere.
Stone's first solo album is without a doubt one of the most refreshing musical statements I have listened to in years.In terms of styles 'Bayleaf' is about as diverse as an album can get, with the funky "Pigeon" and he heartbreaking "Bayleaf" title track to name but two.
A concern of many fans (and indeed Stone himself) are his singing abilities, he has said himself that he has not got a great voice but what he does have is an individual and highly likeable voice.I'm going to break this review down track by track to try and give you an idea of just what this album offers.1.Bore Me 9/10 - The opening track features vocals from Tyl Wilman and not Stone.
The song is your basic rock song with a few unique Stone twists, you'll know what I mean when you here it, the solo here has a wonderful sound to it.2.Fits 9/10 - One of my favourites on the album, Stone's first track on vocals offers a slow melancholy pace for a song that is very eventful.
The chorus seems to just slide along with the pace of the song, fantastic work.3.Pigeon 10/10 - This song is just unbelievable and has Stone written all over it, A funky metal like riff ala 'Do The Evolution' which is the perfect partner to Stone's vocals.
This is a song where the style is difficult to pin point, it's almost like pop and metal all in one, excellent track.4.Anchors 9/10 - A slow paced mellow ballad, the whole song flows so well that you don't ever get an impression of "is it over yet?".
Again as with Pigeon, you won't find anything quite like this anywhere else, a very sad song.5.Cadillac 8/10 - Tyl Wilman on vocals again for Cadillac, a song which sounds like a something Bob Marley would sing, a very Jamaican vibe throughout this one.
My only problem with it is that it is much more of a pop song than any of the other tracks.6.Bayleaf 9/10 - Comparisons to Neil Young here are obvious but the self titled centre piece is not to be over looked, a wonderful guitar driven track.
With multiple Stone guitar solo sequences and a wonderful chorus to boot.7.Every Family 7/10 - Stone on vocals (as with 'Bayleaf') accompanied by an Organ of all instruments.
This song again stretches the musical diversity of the album with it's Gospel like style.
While I admire Stone's ability to create different moods and his talent for styles, with that said this is a style that I am not so fond of.8.Unhand Me 8/10 - Tyl Wilman on vocals again for a pretty standard rock song, again though with a Stone Gossard edge.
The transition from chorus to verse is wonderfully done each time, with the chorus exploding upon you.9.Hellbent 9/10 - A very bizarre track here, Stone's vocals again really are a credit to his musical style.
A slow paced ballad (much like anchors) but with a slightly more upbeat mood to it.10.Fend It Off 9/10 - Tyl Wilman ends the album on vocals (just as he began it) with a simple yet very enjoyable track...."