There's a distinction between "musician" and "guitarist".
Frank Zappa composed a lot of music for guitar that he couldn't even physically play.
So Steve Vai did the actual playing.
In a case like that, Zappa is a great "musician", and Vai is a great "muscian/guitarist".
Being a great guitarist includes being a great musician.
But being a great musician does not necessarily include being a great instrumentalist.
Kurt Cobain was a sucky "guitar player" but a far superior "musician" to anyone in Pearl Jam.
Pearl Jam remind me of Bruce Springsteen or Bob Seger in that their music is just so boring.
The chord progressions are merely acceptible. Eddie isn't singing egregiously out of tune, the drummer is keeping time just fine....and, who cares.
DrabDrabDrab
When I hear a good band I see crimson, silver, blinding gold-white, torquoise, jet black, violet....
When I hear Pearl Jam i see gray, beige, straw yellow, dried macaroni orange......