Shine

A better appraisal of Shine, the one release Mother Love Bone put out before Andrew Wood’s untimely passing, avoids the John-the-Baptist-to-Pearl-Jam’s-messiah framing to treat the lengthy EP for what it is: a sharp, just slick enough introduction to a new combination of already established Seattle performers. Wood sounds absolutely delighted to be there, charismatic and energetic, while everyone’s collective leaning into polished hard rock ranges from “Half Ass Monkey Boy”’s semi-funk strut to the stirring, vivid balladry of “Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns.”