"Vitalogy has a number of gripping songs that match the soaring anthems of Ten, the extended grooves of Vs. or the poetry of either record. The first three tracks are a promising start: “Last Exit,” “Not for You” and especially “Spin the Black Circle,” a revvedup thrash tribute to vinyl, rock harder than anything Pearl Jam have ever done. “Whipping” and “Corduroy” are also hard edged and catchy. “Better Man” is a haunting ballad about a woman trapped in a bad relationship; it recalls the character study “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” on Vs. As on “Daughter,” also from Vs., Vedder’s empathy for and identification with women throughout Vitalogy is remarkably affecting and unforced."

- Rolling Stone