Amazon.com essential recording: Part of the '90s Seattle grunge triumvirate completed by Nirvana and Soundgarden, Pearl Jam debuted with Ten, their most accessible, least self-conscious album. Over time, PJ's rep as a politically correct band just a little too above it all to prostitute its music on MTV has nearly superseded the music. But before that, they were a simply an in-your-face, in-your-head, loud, melodic rock band. And lead singer Eddie Vedder was known for his possessed stage presence and a primal growl that sounded like it required three vocal chords. The personal, narrative singles "Alive," "Jeremy," and "Even Flow" catapulted the reluctant band into the 10-million-plus-sales division. Subsequent albums are more intricate, subtle, thematically complex, and, in many ways, better than Ten. But the band may never repeat the stampede caused by this debut. --Beth Bessmer
An album that will stand the test of time. Ten by Pearl Jam is an album that deserves every bit of praise it gets. It's loud, angry, anthemic, and smart. Eddie Vedder's growling baritone voice expresses the concerns of a generation with his powerful lyrics, while guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready create flooring guitar riffs and melodies. Every song on Ten can stand on it's own, while still demonstrating the quality of the album.
Pearl Jam remains one of the best live bands ever I am a long time Pearl Jam fan, from the 1991 "Ten" debut album on, and I have been on the roller coaster ride ever since. I will admit upfront that I am not a big fan of the self-titled 2006 studio album. Just not enough songs on there that will catch and keep my attention, and for me arguably the weakest studio album of the band to date. Live, though, Pearl Jam remains a force to be given its proper due. I was at Bonnaroo last month, and their headliner set was fabulous. I bought the CD collection from that evening through the Ten fan club.
"June 14, 2008 Manchester, TN" (3 CDs, 29 tracks, 154 min.) is an amazing live album. While seeing the band, it was clear that the band was in peak form, but it't not until I heard this collection that I heard really how sharp they were that night. The set list is just fabulous, starting with the rarely live played "Hard to Imagine" (from the "Lost Dogs" compilation), moving into a scorching "Curderoy", and so on. Eddie Vedder kept the banter to a minimum throughout the evening, but he couldn't help himself to comment that "the time has come for change" and "how beautiful an evening this is", but that's what makes Eddie Eddie. Tellingly, the band plays only one track from the 2006 album, namely "Life Wasted" (surprisingly, not playing "Worldwide Suicide"). Other highlights are, among the many for me, "Love Reign O'er Me" (terrific Who cover that they've played many times over the years), "Rearviewmirror", a scorching 8 min. "Black", and the closer "All Along the Watchtower". What a great evening of music that was.
I've got a number of other Pearl Jam live CDs from their concerts (thank you guys for releasing all of your shows digitally and/or in CD format), but this one is for me the best one yet. And it brings back a lot of good memories from attending Bonnaroo last month. You don't have to be an "official" Ten member club to get this. Just go to the website and it's your for the taking. And well worth it!
TEN!!! This album is exactly that. There's not a lousy song on here, although I do get a bit tired of hearing the radio-staples. If you haven't heard it yet, you definitely should. What else can I say? It's all great. Moody, atmospheric, big, edgy, dark, light, mysterious! Well produced, better played. kthxbye.
A Classic of Grunge -- and of Rock More Generally While many albums cannot stand the test of time, this is one of the few that has -- and with flying colors. Every time "Even Flow", "Once", "Alive", "Black", or "Jeremy" comes on the radio, I ALWAYS turn the volume up. If anyone in the car objects to one of these songs (or any other Pearl Jam songs) remaining playing, I make it known that I would be very displeased if the station were to be changed.
There is indeed a good deal of filler on this album (I don't consider Oceans filler, however, as do some people; I think it stands on its own as a good, if subdued, song), but it is not bad filler.
"Ten" is a truly enjoyable, very re-listenable album, and a good debut. However, I must make it known that it is not Pearl Jam's best album. Most of their subsequent (and often lesser-known) efforts are more mature and more thought-out than "Ten". Yet, "Ten" remains a watershed moment in the rock genre, and was the start of what would become one of the most prodigious bands of the 1990s and 2000s (and hopefully past that).
One of the best records ever recorded by a long shot If you've never heard 'Ten' before, I don't care what style of music you like, whether it be classical or tween pop, you must listen to Pearl Jam's 1991 debut and masterpiece 'Ten.'
This was the record that skyrocketed PJ to fame. Sure many classics would follow, like 'Binaural' and 'Vs.' But this was the record that jumpstarted Pearl Jam.
And with songs this perfect, it's not hard to see why. 'Even Flow,' 'Jeremy,' 'Porch,' and 'Alive' are some of the greatest songs ever written, and Eddie Vedder's flawless voice helped make 'Ten' the ideal grunge record.
And it sounds just as fresh today as it sounded 17 years ago. This record is by far Pearl Jam's best record, although every record they put out was superb, but it's not only PJ's best record, it's one of the best records PERIOD.
If you've never checked out 'Ten,' than you are really missing out. Highly recommended for any music lover. A masterpiece.
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