Chance The Rappers new album also was well received, despite receiving heavy backlash in the public. Unfortunately, professional music criticism doesn't really mean much anymore
Yes for their first two albums anyway. Not in my opinion. No, Nirvana was the only "grunge" act to use a solid punk foundation. Soundgarden and Alice In Chains being examples of notable grunge acts that were pretty distant from punk sonically
But I'm focusing on a specific point. They wanted to have some songs that were "real" and spoke openly about heavy issues and they all come across very sophomoric and cringey.
I can see people thinking their a bit open, but they seem to be able to make songs about serious issues that aren't cringey as hell like alot of other bands (SUBLIME)
Imo they were way more of a punk band, with alt rock stylings (especially their early stuff) Pearl Jam's first two albums are a standing refutation to your claim