Read the entire Pearl Jam Deep Cuts list, and check out Bullz-Eye’s review of the new self-titled Pearl Jam album.
A confession: I can’t remember the last time I played Ten start to finish. It’s been years, quite a few of them, in fact. And yet, I’m one of the biggest Pearl Jam fans you’d ever meet. So why have I neglected Ten, one of the defining albums of the 1990s and the most significant release in my own music universe, for so long? I guess I’ve outgrown it. It’s no big deal. I’m not putting it down, and I’m certainly not forgetting the impact it had on me and so many others more than a decade ago. The album just doesn’t ring true for me anymore.
In a very tangible way, I’ve grown up with Pearl Jam, or at least with their discography. Every release had songs that I instantly and eagerly latched onto, some admittedly more than others, and more than a few of those songs have provided me with insight into some of my own questions about life. Now, 12 years after I first heard “Black” on the bus ride to a track meet in high school, I don’t have those same questions. I’m about to turn 30, so I guess that’s a good thing. I just hope kids in high school today are listening to Ten.
So consider this all a disclaimer, because you’ll only find one song from Ten on this list of Pearl Jam Deep Cuts, and just one from Vs., the band’s sophomore release. Aside from the reasons I laid out above, everyone’s heard Ten and most people have heard Vs. too, so uncovering more than one or two true deep cuts from each album is next to impossible. Besides, the music from the band’s more recent releases, including their new self-titled album, is simply better than the stuff they were putting out in the early ‘90s. It’s true. Just like I’ve outgrown Ten and the whole grunge “thing,” Pearl Jam has too.
“Porch” – Ten
Like so many people, I played Ten to death, but I couldn’t kill “Porch.” For a long time, “Black” was my favorite cut off their debut but, while “Black” has faded a bit, “Porch” has endured. Nobody knew it at the time, but this song offered the clearest preview of what was to come. In fact, without “Porch,” there may never have been a “Corduroy,” and see if the opening riff of “Severed Hand,” off the band’s latest album, sounds at all familiar. Forget why you used to love Pearl Jam so much? Play this song.
“Leash” – Vs.
“Drop the leash, drop the leash / GET OUTTA MY FUCKIN FACE!” Gee, why did high school boys dig this song so much? This song should’ve made it clear to everyone that Pearl Jam was more than just a grunge band. “Leash” is one ballsy rocker that still sounds great 13 years later.
“Last Exit” – Vitalogy
Those who claim Pearl Jam went soft with Vitalogy need only listen to the album’s first track to drop that notion. Raw, defiant and edgy, “Last Exit” is the pitch-perfect opener for Vitalogy, an album crammed with jagged lyrics, crunching guitars and bold experimentation. It also served as an early notice from the band, an indication that things were going to be a little different this time around. Listen to Eddie roar, “Let my spirit paa-aaaass!” and try calling him a softie.
“Whipping” – Vitalogy
One of the best cuts from Vitalogy is the single “Not for You,” in which Eddie shouts at everyone greedily clutching his band’s coattails, “This is not for you / Oh, it never was for you / Fuck you!” That retaliatory mood also churns throughout “Whipping,” a relentlessly paced song that confronts the backlash Pearl Jam experienced from fans, critics and label execs who resented the band’s refusal to stagnate and follow up Ten with Eleven: “They don’t want no change / We already have.” In many ways, “Whipping” represents a more mature and refined “Leash,” just as aggressive but much more focused, and instead of “Get outta my fuckin’ face!”, Eddie growls, “Don’t mean to push / but I’m being shoved!”
Find the entire list here.
Just counting the seconds down until Spotlight Kid comes here and pisses all over these songs. Or should I be counting in nanoseconds?
After I had listened to Ten a hundred too many times, I was certain that nobody, including Pearl Jam themselves, could ever top it. It was then that I heard the b-side Yellow Lead Better and was proved wrong. I have this sneaking suspicion that Eddie Vedder mumbled the song inaudibly because they hadn’t gotten around to writing full lyrics, just the inspiringly goose pimple raising syllables that sound something like “he-ey can you see them..” And that guitar part was like Stevie Ray Vaugh covering Little Wing (though the similarity in no way detracts from the over all effect). We coveted the oppertunities we had to hear this track. Anybody who says they don’t like live recordings needs to hear this one. Pearl Jam’s live shows were legendary by then and this sounds like it was a classic, as well as one of their very earliest performances. All Pearl Jam fans I know agree. How did this, most probably their best song, not make the list?
The main reason I didn’t include Ledbetter was because it charted in 1994: #21 on the mainstream rock charts and #26 on the modern rock charts, according to Wikipedia.
I used to love that song and at one point, it would’ve qualified for this list. But seeing as it enjoyed success on the charts and the band closed just about every one of their concerts with it for a couple of tours, it just doesn’t fit. I’ve heard it on the radio dozens of times and live even more, to the point that, what was once a great rare track from my favorite band is now just another overplayed tune.
Thanks for the question, though.
And Mike, I guess you were wrong. I was actually looking forward to the Kid’s seemingly forthcoming PJ rant.
You let us down, Kid….
“Soon Forget” is a nice little ditty. The lyrics and instrumentation fit together so well.
I’m glad you left “Ten” out (except for “Porch”). It’s been overplayed. Great album, but the band moved on and thank God they did. Unfortunately, we have to sit through all the “Ten” “hits” at PJ concerts while the band pleases those that never understood the band’s desire to grow and get past “Jeremy” and “Black”.
Yeah, “Soon Forget” is a fine song, but not up to par for this list. It’s great live, though, with only a ukelele providing Eddie’s accompaniment.
Trevor, I still enjoy hearing those songs in concert, especially “Alive,” “Black” and “Porch.” As I said in the piece, I can’t forget nor underestimate the impact those songs had on me and so many others in the ’90s. But when I’m scanning my iPod for some PJ these days, I’m always looking for more recent stuff, usually from Vitalogy on.
I never send posts, but this time I just can’t let it go without a word.
I can’t agree more with all you say. I’m also turning 30 now, I also started with Ten and I’ve learnt a lot from these guys.
I think the list is quite good, and it includes my favourite tracks. Well, I would’ve added rearview mirror instead of leash from Vs, but that’s just about it.
From their “Riot Act” comes a slice of pie called ‘You Are’, great tune, and I must say (even though it is a little “U2ish”), not many bands can keep guitar work going like that thru a live song…. Jeff Ament is awsome on the bassline, and an even better version of this tune is found on the “Live at the Garden” DVD. Man, give this on a listen, a few times even, it’ll grow on you…
See you on the flipside
Se7en