Vitalogy is the third studio album by the American rock band Pearl Jam, released on November 22, 1994, on Epic Records. Pearl Jam wrote and recorded Vitalogy while touring behind its previous album Vs. (1993). The album’s sound is more diverse than previous releases and consists of aggressive rock songs, ballads and other styles, making it Pearl Jam’s most experimental album at that period. Considered a departure from the grunge sound of the band’s first two albums, the record focuses more on punk rock and hardcore styles in its production. The album was first released on vinyl, followed by a release on CD and cassette two weeks later on December 6, 1994. The LP sold 34,000 copies in its first week of release, and until Jack White’s 2014 album Lazaretto it held the record for most vinyl sales in one week since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. Upon its CD release, Vitalogy became the second-fastest selling album in history, behind only the band’s previous release Vs., selling 877,000 copies in its first week and quickly going multi-platinum. The album received critical acclaim and has been certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of at least five million copies in the United States. The album was included on Rolling Stone’s 2003 and 2012 “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” lists at number 485, but was dropped from the 2020 edition. It is Pearl Jam’s second and last album to feature drummer Dave Abbruzzese, who was fired from the band before recording was finished. He was initially replaced by session drummers and later officially replaced by former Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Jack Irons, who completed the recording of the album.

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