It’s hard to choose a starting place for this post because I have been so intensely involved in one particular band for the past few months, and since they blow my mind away, it’s hard for me to decide where to even begin my explanation of love and appreciation for/towards them. Ironically enough, they used to be on list of “Bands I hate and will never listen to, ever”. It’s evolution, baby! 

So, Pearl Jam. The undying love still treks on, and even more intensely than before. I have to say that after carefully examining their discography (live albums and Lost Dogs included) up until Riot Act, I am way more fond of their post-Vs. stuff than I am of their music prior. Surprising, I know, since I channel the “grunge” gods like no other, I’m even surprised that I prefer their alternative-alternate over their deeply rooted, Seattle-punk based influences. Oh well.

But for recommendations, I would definitely 100 percent recommend Vitalogy (1994). It is a quintessential Pearl Jam conglomeration of creativity and uniqueness that displays the total change of pace the band was going for come 1994. It’s an album equipped with it’s own personality essentially; Not For You, Better Man, Nothingman, Last Exit, Corduroy…I mean, there is no wrong here. Each song is like it’s own human being— packed with individuality and a nature all of its own.

Regardless of their differences in melody, lyrical content, and over all feeling, the songs on Vitalogy are unified in such a fashion that the album is frankly addicting. I can listen to Not For You and Corduroy a million times over with no disregard towards either.

I’m all for repeats and I always have been, but these two songs sound different to me every time- and that’s why I choose to listen to them on repeat. So many sounds and instruments are being utilized in not just the two songs mentioned, but in all of the songs on the album, that every time you listen to one of them you hear something different that you didn’t hear before, or you listen to the song from a different perspective than you did prior, ultimately leading to even your frame of mind altering the way you hear the song.

Vitalogy is pure power and energy. If you want to hear a Pearl Jam album that isn’t the least bit “grunge”, try it out and see how you like it. If not there are other options.

No Code and Yield (1996 and 1998, respectively) are good as well; I prefer Yield over No Code simply because of the creative process that spawned Yield—it was a more positive and passionate environment shared between all the musicians of the band, instead of monopolized and controlled by Eddie Vedder. Not to discredit him; he has grown on me significantly, but regardless I still have some angst towards him and his crazy Capricorn control freak ways. He can’t help them though, heh.

From No Code I recommend the following:

Hail, Hail

Who You Are (my favorite from the album)

Off He Goes

Smile 

From Yield:

Brain of J

Do the Evolution

Given to Fly (my favorite from the album)

SO yes. If you want to enter the 21st century, something I will always be weary about, Binaural (2000) is genius. Nothing As It Seems sends chills up your spine. Just saying. 

On a side note… I’m going to Outside Lands this August! I can’t wait to see some of the greatest musicians of all time, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, and not to forget my most favorite act on the lineup…Metallica. There are no words I can think of to explain the anticipation and excitement I have to see what Metallica chalks up for their set. Metallica live is something I have longed to see for far too long; their performances exude more energy than a hyper active five year old, and I feel that rush just from watching youtube videos…so you can assume what I’ll feel like during their live show. Ahh!

In terms of some of the other acts, I’m not nearly as excited to see them but I still am rather chipper about experiencing them live. Die Antwoord will be incredibly cool, as will Beck, Tame Impala, Norah Jones, etc. But once it gets closer to the date I’ll definitely post another entry in regards to an Outside Lands playlist of some calibur. 

Thank you for listening always— updates will hopefully coming more frequently now than they have been. 

I hate feeling like a hypocrite, but I am going to swallow my pride right now and admit to something I absolutely never thought would happen.

I listened to all of Ten (1991) by Pearl Jam. 

What. The. Fuck. 

Let me explain my situation and maybe you will understand why this happened. So I was thinking about how I really liked the soundtrack to the film, Into the Wild. Given, since Eddie Vedder did all of the music for the film, in my mind I was left with two choices:

1. Listen to the Into the Wild soundtrack, allow myself to get into 21st century Eddie Vedder, become a fan of middle aged men singing folk music when they shouldn’t be, and allow my music taste to be completely shifted forever.

or…

2. Listen to Ten, hear Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, and Mike McCready play what is said to be their best compilation of music, and mildly enjoy Eddie Vedder as I take in everything else from the album.

I obviously chose the latter. I stick by my decision, and I could say that I am somewhat happy to admit that I actually liked the album to some degree.

Ten is a classic. If you ask anyone who grew up in the early-mid 90’s, they will tell you that Ten defined rock music as they knew it when they were young. It’s undeniable when you listen to the album how perfectly concocted it is. Pearl Jam lives up to their title as one of the best rock bands of all time, and I’m content with saying I finally gave them the chance they deserved.

The only reason I never listened to them was because of the stigma surrounding Eddie Vedder. And I can’t deny it, something about him I still don’t like. His voice is not that pleasing. He is no Chris Cornell, no Layne Staley, but he is someone different and I have chosen to appreciate him…mildly.

Nonetheless, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, and Mike McCready are musical phenomenons whom I’ve always found to be incredibly talented. Mother Love Bone’s only album Apple (1990) is to this day, one of my most favorite albums of all time. Temple of the Dog’s self titled album (released in 1990 as well) makes it on that list too, and without the trio, those albums would not be possible. Thus, I felt since my musical taste and maturity has definitely taken more shape over the past 5 years, it was time to finally appease myself in the band I said I never would.

I can’t help but mention though how this album reminds me of Core (1992). People have always said that Stone Temple Pilots are ‘wannabe grunge’, and I have always ignored that claim on account of the fact I do not agree in the slightest for a multitude of reasons I do not feel like explaining at this present time. Nonetheless there are undertones within Core that remind me of Ten, most definitely. 

Statements made about who was ‘real grunge’ and who was ‘fake grunge’ are only valid when speaking about who sold out and who didn’t. But that’s just my opinion. Furthermore, it is still interesting how many bands in the early 90’s had vocalists with similar abilities, strong guitarists, and a alternative feel so impacting that people like myself are still heavily indulging in their music today. 

Personally, the song I enjoyed the most from Ten was Garden. I had to repeat the song three times before I decided to conclude my time with the album for the night. 

I’m looking forward to investigating Pearl Jam a little more, but carefully and timidly. I don’t want to dive into a pool if I can’t swim too well…right?

This weekend I plan to get another album, Toothbrush (2002) by Dr. Dog, per recommendation.

Wish me luck, reader.