I agree with your observations, especially that Vs "sounds less dated than Ten does". Ten will always hold a special place but Vs allowed fans to sort of breath a slight sigh of relief that Pearl Jam had depth and staying power.
I could not agree more. This is far and away my favorite PJ album. It's hard for a band to level-up after an album as good, or successful, as Ten, but somehow, they did. There is a push and pull for control in the band that is noticeable on this album. Songs like "Leash" and "Daughter" are fine examples of that push and pull... and of what the band is. There is more "dirt" and anger here than on Ten, which I chalk up to Eddie's struggle with success - which may explain his quote about making the album.
Gosh, remember staying up with your friends to head over to the record store, then queueing up at midnight for the album release, and takin' it home and continuing the party.
Is Vs. a better album? For me, yea. I love Ten too, but this one proved the mettle of the band as a unit - the sum being greater than the parts. I listen to Vs. much more frequently than Ten.
Another stroke of genius was changing the album's title from Five Against One to Vs.
First off, let me beg for forgiveness and plead that you don't rally the troops and shoot me.
I have never sat down and listened to a Pearl jam album in its entirety. The fact that I'm still okay with to this day. Don't get me wrong, I totally respect what Pearl jam did for the music industry and what grunge did overall. I saw mother Love Bone and Nirvana as opening acts at the starry night in Portland. That was probably my, if only I had been there, moment and I totally missed it. I didn't see the grunge movement coming and have to admit that most of it blew right past me.
To put it in perspective, I was a huge Queensryche fan. I would take advantage of every chance I could to sneak up to Seattle to watch them perform. So grunge was pushing the sound I enjoyed into different directions, which in hindsight now I realized was a great thing. I also found myself moving in different directions on a personal level, starting a family, getting a real job, and generally acting like an adult. I just didn't have time for anything new.
Now 30 years later, it just might be time to go back and revisit what I missed. Maybe it's time to appreciate what I was in the epicenter of an emerging genre.
This was also my experience Bob. I have a deep and profound appreciation for Eddie and Pearl Jam now but I also turned left at grunge and ended up in the R&B and Rap categories during this slice of time. I did appreciate their videos on MTV though for sure.
Also a heyday for R&B. At the time I was dating a girl that was all in. Lots of car rides that went something like PJ, Guy, Silk, New Order. It was a lot. 😂
This is my favorite Pearl Jam album by about 300 miles, and it's up there among my favorite albums of the 90s. There are so many types of tracks here -- the grandeur of "Dissident," the shaggy fun of "Glorified G," the rage of "Animal," the wistfulness of "Elderly Woman" -- and the band nails all of them. It's easy to remember the grunge era has having a particular kind of sound, but this album is exceptional because it delivers so many sounds with such power.
Back then, there were two camps: the Nirvana camp and the Pearl Jam camp. I was firmly in the Nirvana camp. I have an Eddie Vedder problem (he is just too god-damned sincere) so I have never gone back to see what I missed. I don't mean to throw shade - I openly admit that PJ was a talented band that made a solid contribution to the saga of rock and roll. So my loss. Rock on.
I still love Ten. It's a near-perfect record for me, largely because of nostalgia and the time frame in which it came out. I'm giving Vs another listen today. I do enjoy some of the songs, but Ten will always wear the crown.
Oct 19, 2023·edited Oct 19, 2023Liked by Kevin Alexander
Oh wow, I haven't listened to this in forever, excited to do so. Will come back with some thoughts afterward. But, Ten was such a big deal to me and I remember almost being done with Pearl Jam by the time VS. came out (which seemed like forever back then), because I was probably too obsessed with Rush. Such a nerd am I.
there was a time and place. as dated as acid washed jeans. :) i think Vitalogy was the most interesting album they made. it all came together there like a black hole event. ten was raw getting it together energy. vs. was letting the engine roar. after vitalogy they became a bit of a niche band. like going from a laser to bunch of unfocused lights. sort of like what the Beatles might have been if they didn't end it at the point they did. if i was going to give pj another listen, i would let the black circle spin before verses or ten.
Interesting take! I like Vitalogy, but not as much as the first 2. This was the start of where they lost me for a little bit. That said, I love Spin The Black Circle.
I was strongly on team Nirvana at the time "Vs." came out. I still think "Nevermind" is a better album in every way than "Ten" and could write a doctoral dissertation explaining why, taste be damned. At a minimum, I think most would agree it has held up better over time. But "Vs." definitely won me over. I credit Brendan O'Brien's production and a running time that's seven minutes shorter than "Ten." That being said, "W.M.A." and "Blood" nearly sink "Vs." for me. So I'm in the minority who think Pearl Jam got better after their first two albums.
I was on that team for awhile too, but somehow along the way both bands swappers places. Don’t get me wrong; I love Nevermind, and I /really/ love Bleach, but I feel like they’re very much something 18 year old could listen to more than 48 year old me. I dunno.
What I do know is that I would absolutely read that doctoral thesis if you ever wrote it. :)
Nirvana only recorded three albums, so it's not even really fair to compare the two anymore. Pearl Jam has become more of an institution. In some ways, my favorite album of theirs is Eddie Vedder's "Into the Wild" soundtrack....great album.
I was one of the fools who waited outside a record store in Solon, OH to buy this one at midnight. I didn't think it was as good as Ten at the time; but that's because it was so clearly a record by a band trying hard to shake off the demands and expectations that the success of Ten created.
It was an uncomfortable record, bc the band were uncomfortable with where they were being put by the Big Industry, and the Nostalgia Industrial Complex that ran it at the time. They also faced backlash from the culture they came in with, because others didn't believe they deserved to be up there at the top, they weren't "real" enough.
Vs. was an attempt to answer those charges against them over "realness"; while trying to take back their identity from the Industry. Both are terribly hard jobs on their own; trying to do both on the same record is, well, it requires unimaginable levels of commitment; and imposes unimaginable levels of stress.
I love that the next generation is digging this record! It’s not on Vs., but “Hail Hail” came on in the middle of nowhere, and my son really liked it.
Elderly Woman, that song could be released tomorrow and be a hit.
100%
I agree with your observations, especially that Vs "sounds less dated than Ten does". Ten will always hold a special place but Vs allowed fans to sort of breath a slight sigh of relief that Pearl Jam had depth and staying power.
Agreed. At the time, I’m not sure I would’ve bet on PJ being the Seattle band that lasted the longest. This record proved they had legs.
I could not agree more. This is far and away my favorite PJ album. It's hard for a band to level-up after an album as good, or successful, as Ten, but somehow, they did. There is a push and pull for control in the band that is noticeable on this album. Songs like "Leash" and "Daughter" are fine examples of that push and pull... and of what the band is. There is more "dirt" and anger here than on Ten, which I chalk up to Eddie's struggle with success - which may explain his quote about making the album.
Gosh, remember staying up with your friends to head over to the record store, then queueing up at midnight for the album release, and takin' it home and continuing the party.
Is Vs. a better album? For me, yea. I love Ten too, but this one proved the mettle of the band as a unit - the sum being greater than the parts. I listen to Vs. much more frequently than Ten.
Another stroke of genius was changing the album's title from Five Against One to Vs.
30 years old, huh? (sigh)
Great article Kevin!!
Thank you!
And I definitely remember running out to Tower late at night to get our spot in line. I miss it.
First off, let me beg for forgiveness and plead that you don't rally the troops and shoot me.
I have never sat down and listened to a Pearl jam album in its entirety. The fact that I'm still okay with to this day. Don't get me wrong, I totally respect what Pearl jam did for the music industry and what grunge did overall. I saw mother Love Bone and Nirvana as opening acts at the starry night in Portland. That was probably my, if only I had been there, moment and I totally missed it. I didn't see the grunge movement coming and have to admit that most of it blew right past me.
To put it in perspective, I was a huge Queensryche fan. I would take advantage of every chance I could to sneak up to Seattle to watch them perform. So grunge was pushing the sound I enjoyed into different directions, which in hindsight now I realized was a great thing. I also found myself moving in different directions on a personal level, starting a family, getting a real job, and generally acting like an adult. I just didn't have time for anything new.
Now 30 years later, it just might be time to go back and revisit what I missed. Maybe it's time to appreciate what I was in the epicenter of an emerging genre.
This was also my experience Bob. I have a deep and profound appreciation for Eddie and Pearl Jam now but I also turned left at grunge and ended up in the R&B and Rap categories during this slice of time. I did appreciate their videos on MTV though for sure.
Also a heyday for R&B. At the time I was dating a girl that was all in. Lots of car rides that went something like PJ, Guy, Silk, New Order. It was a lot. 😂
It’s never too late! And tbh, odds are pretty good you some some killer shows at Starry Nigjt!
Also, the current iteration of Queensryche has flown through here a couple of times in the last year or so. They are always very low key and polite.
I really would like to see the new iteration of Queensryche at some point.
I used to spend a lot of time at the Starry night, and Satyricon. Pine ST was good as well.
And of course plenty of road trips up to Olympia and Seattle. I always enjoyed a good sleater Kinny or bikini kill show when I could catch one.
I miss the days of just being able to jump in someone’s car and head up I-5 on a moment’s notice.
This is my favorite Pearl Jam album by about 300 miles, and it's up there among my favorite albums of the 90s. There are so many types of tracks here -- the grandeur of "Dissident," the shaggy fun of "Glorified G," the rage of "Animal," the wistfulness of "Elderly Woman" -- and the band nails all of them. It's easy to remember the grunge era has having a particular kind of sound, but this album is exceptional because it delivers so many sounds with such power.
My favorite too. Ten is close, and Lightning Bolt is up there, but…
To me, this sounds like a “record,” if that makes sense. It’s a complete journey.
Back then, there were two camps: the Nirvana camp and the Pearl Jam camp. I was firmly in the Nirvana camp. I have an Eddie Vedder problem (he is just too god-damned sincere) so I have never gone back to see what I missed. I don't mean to throw shade - I openly admit that PJ was a talented band that made a solid contribution to the saga of rock and roll. So my loss. Rock on.
I was definitely “Team Nirvana” early on, but PJ won me over.
I still love Ten. It's a near-perfect record for me, largely because of nostalgia and the time frame in which it came out. I'm giving Vs another listen today. I do enjoy some of the songs, but Ten will always wear the crown.
A wonderful tribute to an era of time I miss. This is as good a time as any to listen to this album start to finish today.
Not only does Vs hold up today, but I would argue that PJ are the "grunge" band that hold up best.
I definitely wouldn’t argue against that!
Oh, this one hits hard. "The one with the sheep" came out at the start of a relationship. Now we're married and still listen to this one regularly.
I owned Nevemind and Vs., but not Ten. Go figure.
When I first me my (now) wife, we listened to this quite a bit. It still gets fairly regular spins.
Oh wow, I haven't listened to this in forever, excited to do so. Will come back with some thoughts afterward. But, Ten was such a big deal to me and I remember almost being done with Pearl Jam by the time VS. came out (which seemed like forever back then), because I was probably too obsessed with Rush. Such a nerd am I.
there was a time and place. as dated as acid washed jeans. :) i think Vitalogy was the most interesting album they made. it all came together there like a black hole event. ten was raw getting it together energy. vs. was letting the engine roar. after vitalogy they became a bit of a niche band. like going from a laser to bunch of unfocused lights. sort of like what the Beatles might have been if they didn't end it at the point they did. if i was going to give pj another listen, i would let the black circle spin before verses or ten.
Interesting take! I like Vitalogy, but not as much as the first 2. This was the start of where they lost me for a little bit. That said, I love Spin The Black Circle.
I was strongly on team Nirvana at the time "Vs." came out. I still think "Nevermind" is a better album in every way than "Ten" and could write a doctoral dissertation explaining why, taste be damned. At a minimum, I think most would agree it has held up better over time. But "Vs." definitely won me over. I credit Brendan O'Brien's production and a running time that's seven minutes shorter than "Ten." That being said, "W.M.A." and "Blood" nearly sink "Vs." for me. So I'm in the minority who think Pearl Jam got better after their first two albums.
I was on that team for awhile too, but somehow along the way both bands swappers places. Don’t get me wrong; I love Nevermind, and I /really/ love Bleach, but I feel like they’re very much something 18 year old could listen to more than 48 year old me. I dunno.
What I do know is that I would absolutely read that doctoral thesis if you ever wrote it. :)
Nirvana only recorded three albums, so it's not even really fair to compare the two anymore. Pearl Jam has become more of an institution. In some ways, my favorite album of theirs is Eddie Vedder's "Into the Wild" soundtrack....great album.
I was one of the fools who waited outside a record store in Solon, OH to buy this one at midnight. I didn't think it was as good as Ten at the time; but that's because it was so clearly a record by a band trying hard to shake off the demands and expectations that the success of Ten created.
It was an uncomfortable record, bc the band were uncomfortable with where they were being put by the Big Industry, and the Nostalgia Industrial Complex that ran it at the time. They also faced backlash from the culture they came in with, because others didn't believe they deserved to be up there at the top, they weren't "real" enough.
Vs. was an attempt to answer those charges against them over "realness"; while trying to take back their identity from the Industry. Both are terribly hard jobs on their own; trying to do both on the same record is, well, it requires unimaginable levels of commitment; and imposes unimaginable levels of stress.
It’s definitely the work of a band trying to make a statement record.