Pearl Jam - Backspacer

As a big pearl jam fan its always with trepidation that i approach a new album. I mean they didn't put a foot wrong up until 1998's Yield but since then its been a bit of a downward spiral. I mean there is good things to be said for the early naughties releases binaural and riot act but 2006's self titled album was just abysmal and hopes that this new release would be any better were low. perhaps though that is what has helped shaped my opinion of backspacer . coming in with such low expectations this album has surprised in the true fact that at first listen as much as i wanted to hate it i couldn't. i found myself enjoying these songs, from single 'the fixer' to the album closer 'the end.
there are elements of past albums here, while not hitting the originality of early albums ten and verses or the grittiness vitalogy, there are songs reminiscent of their experimentations on 1996's No code and the follow up Yield. the best songs are undoubtably those written by lead singer eddie vedder and guitarist mike mcready. the others while not weak still smack of 'filler' material.
the question remains should a band who have obviously peaked still continue to write music that is never going to come close to matching their best (eg. rolling stones, U2 ) this is not pearl jams best work. this is not even close but it is still enjoyable. the highlights, as mentioned before are the vedder tracks, Unthought known, speed of sound and the end.