"Riot Act" is the seventh studio album by American rock band Pearl Jam, released on November 12, 2002, through Epic Records. After a full-scale tour in support of their previous album Binaural (2000), Pearl Jam took a year-long break. The band reconvened in early 2002 to begin work on a new album. The music on Riot Act is diverse, incorporating elements of folk, art rock, and experimental rock. Lyrically, the album deals with themes of mortality, existentialism, and social and political issues, including the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the accidental deaths of nine fans during Pearl Jam's performance at the 2000 Roskilde Festival.
The album was produced by Adam Kasper, who had previously worked with the band as an engineer. The recording process took place in two sessions, one in February 2002 and the other in April 2002, at Studio X in Seattle. Like their previous albums Yield and Binaural, band members worked on material individually before coming together to record as a group. The process involved a fair amount of spontaneous creativity, with many of the tracks recorded live. The band also experimented with alternate tunings on several songs, such as "You Are," "All or None," and "Bu$hleaguer."
The album features a variety of sounds, from the folk-inspired "I Am Mine" to the garage rock influences on "Save You." Lyrically, Riot Act is more direct than some of their previous work, addressing the emotional and political climate following the September 11 attacks. The lyrics were shaped by the band's experiences during this tumultuous time, as well as the personal tragedy of the Roskilde Festival deaths. For instance, "I Am Mine" was written by lead vocalist Eddie Vedder after the Roskilde incident, and "Love Boat Captain" includes a reference to the lost fans ("Lost nine friends we'll never know... two years ago today").
The album's lyrical themes also touch on existential matters, such as personal freedom and the impact of corporate greed. Tracks like "Cropduster" and "Green Disease" critique social and political issues, while songs like "Love Boat Captain" explore more personal subjects like love and loss. "Bu$hleaguer," a satirical track, targets the political climate under President George W. Bush.
The album’s cover art, photographed by bassist Jeff Ament, features two skeletons wearing crowns, possibly representing a king and queen. The metal figurines were created by blacksmith Kelly Gilliam. Coming up with a title for the album proved to be challenging for the band. After several weeks of deliberation, Vedder suggested Riot Act, and the band decided it was fitting for the album's urgent and loud musical tone.
Riot Act was the band's final album of all-new material for Epic Records. It received mostly positive reviews and was certified gold by the RIAA. The band supported the album with a politically charged concert tour in 2003.
