The songwriting on the album is great in places and kind of lacking in other places. This is partly due to the fact that many styles and influences are combined on this album. Some you're sure to like, while others you may not. There is a fair degree of instrumentation on Bayleaf including organs and keyboards in addition to the obligatory guitars. This album is all about variety and layering...lots of layering of sounds.

Lyrically, I find Bayleaf to be strong, but not without a few quirks. Don't get me wrong, the lyrics are full of wit and are plenty introspective. I just sort of cringe when I hear Stone sing "I'm out of here, I'm not through sleeping around". Really though, for the most part the patient listener will be rewarded with some great poetry.

My favorite aspect of this album is really purely a matte of opinion. I truly dig a lot of the different guitar tones used on Bayleaf. There are some great rich, warm tones at varying levels of distortion. Gossard has plenty of experience getting great sounds out his guitar.
It shouldn't need to be said that you shouldn't buy this album if you're looking for the Pearl Jam sound. In other words, mainstream PJ fans need not apply. Stone has done a nice job of creating something unique and very worthwhile. This is just a really quirky album, and it is not likely that many people will like all of it, but there are many different elements and tastes that make this album what it is. After a a listen or two few of the songs, like Bayleaf, Pigeon and Unhand Me, or others depending on your taste, will really start to hook. There are some really great melodies on Bayleaf that will make you want to pull this side project record out of your archive every couple of months.