Pop Life

ED VEDDER: His message is one worth heeding.

Assessment from smilin' Ed Vedder, maybe a little lit from vino, speaking a song before wrapping Pearl Jam's two- night stand at Irvine Meadows (I refuse to call it by its corporate name for these shows), just before bringing out Matt Cameron's predecessor on the drum kit, Jack Irons, for the ragged glory of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World":

"It felt like we had twins - and you were the ugly one."

Yeah, that's about right. But even runts are lovable.

If you're just joining us, Monday night's Pearl Jam gig was so astounding that not only did I gushingly proclaim it historic on Wednesday but I felt obligated to buy terrace tickets for the sure-to-be-different follow-up and report what happened.

Frankly, there was no chance the second night would measure up to the monumental first, something Vedder acknowledged going into it, admonishing fans as the frenetic "Can't Keep" swelled: "Last night was already better at this point. You guys better step it up."

And they did, though given how the band kicked off - with fed-up punkish fury - it wasn't surprising that there wasn't the same warm glow between artists and audience. It's all a matter of perspective. Night 2 was exactly what I was hoping for, something more challenging and vicious and politically charged, but not without a few deliberate crowd-pleasers.

But if you only came Tuesday, you probably wanted more staples than you got: "Even Flow," as ever; versions of "Daughter" and "Corduroy" that equaled the first set's, and for thematic detail I'd give the nod to Tuesday's takes: "Black," almost as passionate as before; "Elderly Woman Yadda Yadda Yadda," naturally a sing-along; "Alive" to finish off the first encore.

The chatterboxes to my right, for instance - by the time of the second encore, they were loudly calling the evening a bore. Actually, they seemed put off from the contentious opening, which had me frantically body-rocking, the uneasiness of "Can't Keep" spilling into a hyper "Spin the Black Circle" and the cutting "Save You," with Ed offering salvation whether you want it or not. Backing it with "Grievance" - as in, "I pledge my grievance to the flag" - only underscored his conviction that one agitator spouting off still matters.

His bottom line, shouted out after a marionette's dance at the end of "1/2 Full": "Do something! Save the world!" He reiterated that repeatedly, expanding "Daughter" to again preach the power of individualism, altering lines in "Corduroy" ("can't buy what we want because it's peace"), crouching Bono-like to underline lyrics at the end of "MFC."

Can it get a bit much? Oh, probably - definitely to those who think it's just dandy that we "won" the war. And even ardent fans might prefer he orate more within song, whether in the animosity of "Bushleaguer" (a gutsy piece to play in O.C.) or even clumsy covers like the Clash's "Know Your Rights" and CCR's "Fortunate Son," neither of which lived up to my inner hype.

But if Vedder stands at the forefront of a conscious-rock groundswell, at least he's genuine, even when his attempts at inspiration aren't subtle.

I haven't mentioned much about the rest of the band. They played fiercely, as usual, with special mention due Mike McCready, who this night got his Hendrix on more than a few times (he saved "Even Flow" that way). But it's Vedder the Love Boat Captain steering this ship right now - and so steadily that even his honed guitar skills are a major contribution. (He's no McCready, let alone Stone Gossard, but his conviction somehow pushes the band that much harder.)

In short - too late - they are unrivaled. U2 can be as transfixing, yeah, but that band has grown predictable. Pearl Jam keeps me salivating for its next musical move, its next stop. Suggestion: It's time to play the Hollywood Bowl.

If only to show all these Coldplay apologists how a historic gig is done.