I just wrapped up my listen today and had some pretty strong feelings on Mike McCready. I haven't listened to much Pearl Jam so my opinion isn't well informed, but he really detracted from this album for me. I'd consider myself a bedroom rock star guitarist so I'm not great and I don't really know what I'm talking about. My feeling was that his tones and effects were pretty cookie cutter and he spent a lot of time trying to do the Hendrix thing. Any other POVs?