Pearl Jam: Ten
When Andrew Wood, frontman of the promising new Seattle band Mother Love Bone, died from a heroine overdose the outfit disbanded and the media spotlight turned towards the other promising new act: an angsty, energetic punk band called Nirvana. As far as that goes, the rest is history. However, MLB guitarist Stone Gossard and bassist Jeff Ament decided to continue making music and, teaming up with Green River guitarist Mike McCready, drummer Dave Kruesen and a San Diego surfer/gas station attendant Eddie Vedder, started work on a new record under the name Pearl Jam. The new material was performed live on the same bill as Nirvana themselves and the album was an immediate hit, selling around a million more copies than Nevermind.
Ten’s opening track, Once, fades in with atmospheric guitars and drums, reminiscent of Mother Love Bone’s opening track This is shangri-la but soon it is clear that this is a very individual record, making a real attempt to shake the ghosts from the past. The main riff kicks in and for the first time Vedder’s rich, powerful vocals make themselves heard. From this fantastic stadium rock-style beginning, every track that follows is a tight and meticulously-recorded rock classic. Big, bluesy riffs and Clapton-esque solos aside, there are serious issues dealt with in the lyrics but they never overshadow the tunes. When it was originally released, PJ were accused of being grunge bandwagon-jumpers, which has proved to be not only untrue but grossly unfair. While there are MLB-inspired ambitious melodies and a definite ‘Seattle Sound’, the whole album is a piece of 90s rock history that has whistleable melodies that still sound great on MTV without losing their credibility.
The most famous single, Alive, combines a classic rock riff, catchy chorus and McCready’s brilliant guitar work, but the serious message in the lyrics isn’t lost. And there’s Vedder’s voice. Not as raw as that of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell or as desparate as Kurt Cobain, it can transform from a warm croon to a punky, shredding howl when necesary. Combine this with powerful songwriting, memorable tunes and superb musicianship, what results is an essential rock album. For those who don’t already own it, it is a record you have to hear.
In Summary
A timeless piece of alternative rock from true rock ‘n’ roll survivors. They have never matched it since, either.
Tracklisting
- Once
- Even Flow
- Alive
- Why go
- Black
- Jeremy
- Oceans
- Porch
- Garden
- Deep
- Release
- Wash
- Alive (live)
- Dirty Frank
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