There are certain bands that get to be a little predictable when they hit the road. They play the same songs every single night and create the same concert experience time after time.

And then there's Pearl Jam.

"The show changes every night, so you can go see every show of the tour," said Jason "Fish" Miller, afternoon deejay and program and music director for WQWK-FM (97.1).

The band will take the stage Saturday night for a sold out show at the Bryce Jordan Center.

Miller has seen Pearl Jam 15 times, including last Saturday in Pittsburgh, where the band played for a "pretty normal" two-and-a-half hours.

"It was the best show I've ever seen," he said. "Every time the go out onstage, they sound better. It's good all around. It's the politics, the poetry of the lyrics, the music. With each album they sound more mature. And they keep gelling as a band after more than 10 years."

Matt Rosenbloom (sophomore-journalism) has seen the band twice.

"I definitely think they're one of the best live acts I've seen," Rosenbloom said. "They just go off when they jam. They just rock out. They let the music go and get the crowd into it more than anyone else."

The band is touring to support its seventh studio album, Riot Act, which was released in November.

"It sold pretty well," said Ken Kubala, manager of City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave. "I think they have a pretty die-hard fan base. You know what you're getting with Pearl Jam."

Josh Wilson, head clerk at Mike's Music, 226 W. College Ave., said that he thinks the new album is the band's best since its first two.

"It sounds so much more mature," he said. "It seems to me that they didn't care so much about being poppy."

This is the band's first time playing at the BJC.

"We've been trying to bring this band to the area since the building opened seven years ago," said Bernie Punt, director of sales and marketing for the BJC. "We were thrilled to have this opportunity."

The concert sold out "in a couple of days," Punt said.

Over the past few years there have been some "close calls" with getting Pearl Jam to come to State College, said Punt.

The band's only previous visit to Penn State came in November 1991, when it opened for The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Smashing Pumpkins at Rec Hall. The show came less than three months after the release of the band's multi-platinum debut, Ten. After Saturday's show all three bands from that bill will have headlined concert's at the BJC.

"Can you imagine seeing those bands together five years later?" asked Punt.

Pearl Jam is making each of its shows on the 2003 tour available to order via its Web site. This marks the first time a show from the BJC will be officially released in its entirety. Once a fan orders a show, he or she can access MP3s of the performance until the CD arrives in the mail.

Miller, who ordered the show he saw in Pittsburgh, said he was able to listen to that show the next day. He is also planning on ordering Saturday's show.

Recently the band garnered some controversy after lead singer Eddie Vedder espoused his political views onstage. At one show in Denver last month, Vedder wore a George W. Bush mask while singing "Bushleaguer," a song from Riot Act.

After the song he impaled the mask on the microphone stand, causing some fans to walk out.

"I think it's not the Pearl Jam fans who are upset," said Miller. "I think it's mostly the media. If you're a Pearl Jam fan, you should know their politics."

"They should do more of it," he added.

In Pittsburgh, Miller said, Vedder mainly talked about free speech, playing The Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away." Vedder used the song as an analogy about having to hide his love for the country away after the controversy, said Miller.

Rosenbloom said he sees nothing wrong with Vedder speaking his mind.

"I think all public figures should be able to voice their opinions," he said. "What better way to use the opportunity you have than to reach out to people?"

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with opening act Sparta.