Ten

Confession: this is one of my favourite albums. I can more or less sing it front to back. All killer no filler. As grunge-era records go, I prefer this to Nevermind. Don't @ me.

Eddie Vedder's impressionistic lyrics often make their greatest impact through the passionate commitment of his delivery rather than concrete meaning. His voice had a highly distinctive timbre that perfectly fit the album's warm, rich sound, and that's part of the key -- no matter how cathartic Ten's tersely titled songs got, they were never abrasive enough to affect the album's accessibility. Ten also benefited from a long gestation period, during which the band honed the material into this tightly focused form; the result is a flawlessly crafted hard rock masterpiece.

Not my ... jam.

Many classics here, Black and Jeremy are 2 of the best songs of the 90s. It lulls a bit towards the end, but thats not necessarily a bad thing given its explosive middle.

So. Many. Bangers. This album took me back to middle school so hard I broke out in pimples during the opening chords of "Even Flow." There are a few tracks that didn't age all that awesome but, overall, it's a freaking killer album.

Best part of this album is when I accidentally searched for Pearl Ham

This album is amazing from start to finish. Obviously, Pearl Jam have been copied to death and it's that aspect that I dislike in many copy cat acts. Noone can replicate their authentic sound, which is full ,heavy and gritty.

First CD I ever owned. Got it for Christmas 1991 - which was the same date that I got my first CD player / stereo. I was 13 years and this played in my room more or less constantly for well over a year. A seminal album in rock n' roll - along with Nirvana's Nevermind, probably THE defining album of the Seattle scene / grunge movement. And, amazingly, it has aged extremely well.

THIiiisiissssssss wasanalbumthatistartedtoenjoyatfirst Buuuuuuuuuuuut thiswayofsingingkindagotoldprettyquickandiendedupbeingprettyoverit HOOOOowwwwwever Theirpoliticsaregoodsotheygetanextrastarforthat

One of rocks greatest debut albums. Still sounds as good as it did the day I got it at makin tracks and sat on the bus home blown away. It has no weaknesses and it’s easy to say the big songs are out of the way early and it drops off. If anything it gets better especially once we get Alive out of the way. Give me Porch or Garden anytime over it. And then there’s Black - one of the finest “love” songs ever written in my mind. A stone cold classic album and testament as to why this band remains bigger than ever 30 years later.

Pearl Jam are the kind of band who eat cheese on the toilet. They smother cheese all over their filthy bodies and suck eachother off through cheesy glory holes. You know I'm right.

I wonder sometimes why they're associated so closely with grunge. They're not nearly so muddy and dark. Their music is emotional and definitely coherent but almost impressionistic, not least because you sometimes have no idea what he's mumbling. Anyway, this is nearly an hour of great riffs and strong writing. The production's a little dated, but there's a remaster from a few years back that just about fixes everything. 4.5 rounded up.

I never liked the Seattle Grunge sound and I find Eddie Vedder’s voice annoying. I also found all of the songs on this album repetitive

Every song is powerful, raw and hard hitting. Knowing it so well almost made me take the brilliance of this album for granted. Eddie is a force of nature.

The less cynical yet equally disillusioned counterpart to Nevermind, Ten is an undisputed pillar of grunge. At the end of the day, Eddie Vedder just wants to be Neil Young, but the times called for something with more of an edge, and on this record, Pearl Jam makes a hell of case for the music requiring it too, adding darker subject matter (it's pretty crazy to consider there were songs inspired by school shootings as early as '91) and breakneck performances to the kind of storytelling that's more commonly reserved for acoustic guitars and folk rock. The heavier stuff is what resonates with me most—the solo at the end of Alive easily trounces anything prior in the song—but even the record's slower, softer moments shine in large part due to Vedder's unique voice. There's not a lot of weak points here, with even the instrumentals serving well as bookends that don't feel particularly indulgent. It's simply a phenomenal record from top to bottom—okay, I don't like Oceans that much, but that one's not even three minutes long. Key Tracks: Once, Why Go, Deep

The guitar riffs and amazing, the drums pounding, the vocals spectacular, and most of the lyrics are very good. I will certainly be adding this to my playlist!

big numbers, mediocre music

Guitars sound great but this old man yelling really does not 💀💀💀 🦆🦆 I just wish this man could sing so I could actually enjoy this 😭 The actual music/instruments are really good though, just being ruined! Faves - Even Flow, Why Go, Porch No songs saved or added to playlists Overall - could be a solid rock album, if only someone else sang on it 😭 Would I check out their other music - no Rating 2/5 (the vocals COMPLETELY ruined this for me)

Heard 8 trillion times. Easy 100/5

Amazing discovery!! Thank you so much!!!

Pretty generic rock music, with a voice that is impossible to take seriously. Best song by far was Porch, which is the only song that really ratchets up the intensity. Can’t believe people get off to this band so hard.

I'm no zoomer but fuck this is boomer as fuck.

I don't understand why people like Pearl Jam.

Should have been called 10/10

Love this album, was really nice to listen to it again

A fantastic hard rock journey. It's easy to see why this album but Pearl Jam on the map. Haven't listened to Even Flow since I played it on Guitar Hero when I was a kid, but the song is still magical.

Думаю, этот альбом для меня – светлое лицо 90-ых. Всякие Рванины, Оазисы, Радиохэды и Ню-митольная шляпа – дело, местами, хорошее, но или несёт в себе черты некоторого упадка или недостаточно сильная. А тут оригинальный оптимистичный яркий саунд. Скачал я его в универские годы не помню из-за чего, толи из-за наличия в топе 200 Metal Hammer, толи когда перебирал пятёрки на Allmusic. И прям сразу пропёрся, задавшись вопросом, а хули остальной гранж или ущербный, или кринжовый. Лан, по трекам: 1) Once – сильные гитарные и вокальные партии, мощный припев, тупо хит. 2) Even Flow – впервые наткнувшись в одной из GH, не пропёрся, подумал, очередная бесхребетная инди-поделка. Но в рамках альбома трек неплохо раскрывается, партии довольно интересные, подчёркивают вокальную, которая в куплетах хоть и кажется монотонной, но не надоедает. 3) Alive продолжает тенденцию к чилу. Делает это весьма ленивым образом, через менее внятные куплеты Led Zeppelin стайл и припев с повторяющейся строкой. Но в целом делает, почилить можно в кайф. 4) Why Go пытается вернуться к драйву, сохраняя формулу прошлого трека. Разве что гитарные партии яркие добавляя. Также не то, чтобы сильный трек, но атмосферу держит. 5) Black ну тупо шедевр. То, как я хотел бы REM слышать, и вроде бы слышу, но не часто. Яркие развивающиеся мотивы, лаконичные партии, дополняющие друг друга, пронимающий припев. Вокалёр тащит, и при этом не затеняет инструментал. Бэк-вокальные партии просто идеально вписываются, на уровне электрической версии Дурачка у Опизденевших. 6) Jeremy возвращается к предыдущей формуле. Но в её случае припев вышел более ярким, повторение строки не душит, а воспринимается за должное. Также условный минимализм разбавляется развитием всех партий, добавлением интересных бэков, в итоге складывая отличный трек. 7) Oceans тянет в лирику. И вполне кайфовую. Атмосферная весчь, прям веет какими-то океянами, полётами и мечтами всякими. Напрягли разве что странные смены тональности в моментах, но трек отличный. 8) Porch на контрасте драйву завозит мальца. Гитарные соло интересные, веют олдскулом таким, вокальные партии звёзд с неба не хватают, но атмосферу держат. 9) Garden вновь формулу возвращает, ситуация схожа с Jeremy, разве что контраст внутри трека ещё сильнее, куплеты ещё более аморфные и тихие, припев ещё более яркий, громкий и мощный. Второй куплет переходит в кайфовые бриджи и соло, потом припев, потом снова соло, в общем, прогрессивные нотки даже, одобряем. 10) Deep драйв довозит, но по стандартной формуле. Приятный трек в целом. 11) Release возвращается к атмосфере Oceans. В целом, атмосферу держит, но закрывашку хотелось бы по яркости сопоставимую с открывашкой. Или чтоб глубины залипательной завезли побольше. А так просто хороший трек с отличными вокальными партиями. Да, если по элементам разбирать, то картина слагается не то, чтобы уверенная, яркие моменты чередуются с более слабыми вещами. Но мы на альбом же смотрим. А альбом – это такая плотно набитая банка густой атмосферы и настроения, интересного звука. Которые, в более особо нигде и не встречаются. Даже в дискографии Pearl Jam, которую дальше вообще слушать не смог. Посему альбом стал важным опытом и может быть таковым для многих.

Unassailable. Just legendary.

Me during "Alive:" Pearl Jam must have been the most incredible band of the 90s, neatly segueing stadium rock and grunge, this track is amazing, this album has got to be a 5/5. Me towards the end of "10:" Pearl Jam must have been the worst band of the 90s, awkwardly straddling boring and indulgent, this album has got to be a 1/5.

Enjoyed it but too miserable for me in general.

Was never a big fan of this band or this record. I like the chorus of even flow. Something about the production, even though it seems impressive, it didn’t seem to marry with the music for me.

Bloody awful

I know for a lot of people, Eddie Vedder's voice can be a sticking point. But when I hear the passion, the emotion and the energy in his voice, it's hard for me to not love this. No skips.

Oh man. What can I write about this album? I’ll start by stating that this has to be the most influential album I’ve ever owned. It changed everything for me about where my future music journey would take me. I knew nothing about them when a mate I worked with leant me a cassette of this. I was blown away by it and every subsequent listen just cemented my love of it. It was only later on that I started to understand their backgrounds, and the journey that brought them together and an obsession started. Following them around live in the last 15 years or so has elevated my love of the band to a different level. No other live act can match them. Their studio work comes alive with the energy they create on stage. Listening to it through my 2024 ears, it hasn’t aged. But I’ve listened to it a lot in every year from 1991 until now so why should it have done I guess. It’s full of incredible songs and songwriting. Mike McCready’s guitar solos are epic. Jeff Ament’s bass rumbles throughout. Stone Gossard’s guitar adds the texture, and Dave Abbruzzee’s drumming is wild. (By the way, Matt Cameron is the only current band member not on this record and is an upgrade compared to Dave). These songs have matured and evolved, and the live versions of all of these songs take on a whole new life. Eddie Vedder is a force of nature. An incredible human who has survived this industry and remained true to his values. His song writing has always spoken to me and even today he throws out the right words at the right time that resonate. I guess I have grown up from a young man to a married father at the same time….clearly very different lives but he always manages to sum up my feelings. Back to this album. It’s not the most polished. It’s not their best work. But it’s raw, angry, passionate, emotional,….the songs flow seamlessly into each other. Even Flow is still one of my favourite songs ever. Black is an incredible love song. Release gives me goosebumps. Porch is relentless. But there’s no bad track. All 5 stars. To summarise…I hope everybody has found their Pearl Jam. It doesn’t have to be Pearl Jam, but finding a musician or a band who gives you as much as these gentlemen still give me is possibly the nicest wish I could grant for anyone.

5 estrellas inmediatas en este. Este es uno de mis álbumes favoritos de todos los tiempos y uno que moldeó mis gustos musicales a una edad tan temprana. Eddie es uno de mis vocalistas favoritos y este álbum todavía es difícil.

Immediate 5-star on this one. This is one of my favorite albums of all time and one that shaped my music tastes at such a young age. Eddie is one of my favorite vocalists ever and this album still goes hard.

Another stellar debut. Great songs and music. With Nevermind, the 1 2 punch that lead to “Grunge” taking over and the proliferation of alternative music to radio darlings from the realm of critical/cult favorite obscurity. Dark subject matter that still resonates today.

I hadn't heard this album before, but was aware of many of the tracks. It's got to be once of the best grudge albums ever, I enjoyed it all the way through and happily re-listened this morning on the drive to work.

I was 21 and working in a record store when this record came out. One of our regulars, Beth, was absolutely smitten with this record, and recommended it to me. I dug the classic rock sound and bought a copy fairly early on and played it a lot. There was a lot of debate at the time as to whether they were really "authentic" or bandwagon jumpers. I was aware of their pedigree in Green River and links with other Seattle bands, so never bought into that criticism. The arrival of the second wave of grunge, and the generic mainstream 'alternative rock' that followed across the 90s made it clear that Pearl Jam were, in fact, the real deal. That said, their rise to ubiquity was uncomfortable (for the band as much as the listener), and their subsequent albums didn't really do it for me. Possibly because they moved away from their strength, which to me, was their ability to powerfully channel classic rock (riff heavy, lots of hooks, stadium ready), without the macho posturing that went with the form. You don't have to scratch the surface much to reveal the DNA of this record (Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Grand Funk Railroad, et hoc genus omnes). The playing is powerful and forceful, but loose enough to swing a little bit. The guitars have a great 70s swagger, a welcome change from the shredders who had dominated hard rock and heavy metal for the previous decade. Jeff Ament is the MVP, playing the most terrific moment on the record; the fretless harmonic bass slide at the beginning of Even Flow. The band didn't like the original mix -- too reverb heavy -- but it is what it is. I've listened to the Brendan O'Brien mix from 2009, but it isn't different enough to make me re-think my take on the original version. Are the lyrics and vocal delivery a bit melodramatic? Possibly, but you have to admire the way that Vedder leaves it all out of the floor. You can't doubt his sincerity, and I'll take a credible and passionate (if idiosyncratic) performance over a technically perfect performance any day. Pearl Jam was not my favourite band of the Seattle scene and I never saw them live. By the time they toured Australia, they were playing stadiums -- there was no way I was going to pay to see them at the Eastern Creek International Speedway (I've seen Gimme Shelter) -- and eventually they descended into purveyors of boring dad rock. But I played this album a lot in the early 90s and liked it a lot. I preferred Temple of the Dog which I regard as a sibling album to Ten. But every now and then, I give Ten a spin, and it always surprises me how well the album stands up. The songs are strong and moving, and the performances are powerful. I always find it easy to listen to all the way through. 4.5 stars.

One of the best. I love this album.

The definitive all killer no filler album. Realistically any of these songs could have been a single; the ones they did pick were the best ones though. This album has so many great riffs and vocal melodies, it's hard not to song along to. One of the few albums I think may be perfect.

Not a bad song. Stylistically the same. This makes it all very similar, but because the songs are good it does not feel too repetitive.

This is a perfect album, start to finish. It holds a special place for me, because most of my life I've been listening to decades-old music and this was probably one of the few times in my life I was listening to the most popular music of the day at the time it was popular. Everything about it is great. I remember Even Flow was the first song I heard off the album and was just blown away by the power and groove of the song. Alive is an anthem. Jeremy was overplayed but still holds up as a classic. The non-singles are all classics in their own right. The music and lyrics are powerful throughout and the band members are all outstanding. McCready and Gossard provide an amazing one-two guitar punch. Always loved Jeff Ament's bass style (especially the fretless aspect - I just learned that he was a fan of Japan's Mick Karn) and the drums drive the album along. Of course, a million people tried to sound like Eddie Vedder afterwards, but he remains an original. I find it interesting that the band members feel the album was over-produced - I still think it sounds great - just the right mix of polished and edgy. This will always remain my favorite album of the grunge explosion.

One of the greatest debuts of all time. You must hear that all the time, don't you? Well, typically people say that you an amazing album that just so happens to be a band's debut. But no, here we have the greatest introduction of the band that would shape rock n roll in the 90s. No other band of the era had such a consistent discography with each release just as solid as the last. Whereas Guns n Roses shaped hard rock from the late 80s, Pearl Jam took the genre into an entirely new direction, making way for the more alternative music to come. In fact, I don't think the rest of the grunge movement or even Nirvana would have picked up if not for radio and Mtv support for this album. I'm too young to know for sure, but older rock fans are always raving about Pearl Jam concerts more than any other, how they could extend songs and solos for like 10 minutes, and it's pretty clear by their music videos and audience that they were a leader in live performances. Their influence cannot be understated. Second only to Nirvana in the popularization of grunge culture. And it makes sense when you listen to their songs. The vocals are crisp and clear, with appropriately poetic lyrics to sing along to. Hell, even when I was 11 I knew Jeremy was about a boy killing someone in front of his class for revenge (although I didn't know it was himself until years later), and that just came from me listening to the song on the radio. Pearl Jam has the perfect mix of everything you could want out of rock songs: impactful vocal delivery, lyrics you can sing to, epic solos, incredible production (although I hear some complain about its rawness), and harmony between band members knowing exactly what to do and when. Album is full of hit after hit. Of course, the four signature songs are perfect in every way. But Pearl Jam isn't sticking by any formulas. The rest of the songs are amazing too. It's just such a shame they all come after the hits because many people won't give them much of a chance, thinking the best is over. "Oceans" is one of the more alternative songs, mellower yet like no other. Creates a dynamic contrast between the two sides of the album to lead back into the action of "Porch." The song "Garden" has this great solo that reminds me of 70s jam bands. I swear the more I listen to the second side, the more I fall in love with them. Even the supposedly weakest track "Deep" is an amazing blend between alternative and their harder grungier material about addiction. I love it when albums get the closing track right, so you can imagine my satisfaction "Release," followed by a bonus track continuation of the first part of the opening track.

More fretless bass than I remember, but the power of that album! Still sounds fresh (bass parts aside) today

Really liked this one, from Eddie's voice, to the classic/stadium rock elements, the riffs, just a great overall rock album

Favourite songs: - Garden - Jeremy - Once

Near perfect album

One of my favorite albums ever, Pearl Jam at its very best--they were young and inspiration was fresh. I go back to this album every now and then and never get tired of it.

Not to compare but I’m Definitely more a Nirvana guy. Of the big four Grunge bands Pearl Jam might be dead last. However it’s been years since I’ve listened to this so let’s see. Well I feel a hint bad for above statements as it’s not right to compare two bands. I can’t deny this was a good listen and very well produced. Would I put it on all the time probably not but it deserves the praise it gets 4/5

Undoubtedly one of the most overrated albums ever. Don't get me wrong, it is a good album with a lot of influence that it had on Grunge but the praise it still gets more than 30 years later while having aged not really well nor bad baffles me as a lot of the songs are very average and just even out due a couple of really great songs. 'Once' opens the album with a somber guitar that transitions into a very Hard Rock instrumental and like most of the album you understand a bit of what is sung but ultimately have no clue of what's going on. And I don't think that it's a bad thing. It adds a uniqueness to it that makes Pearl Jam a very differentiable act. The song itself is pretty good and the chorus is pretty nice although the work around the chorus is improvable. The legendary 'Even Flow' follows and is without a doubt one of the best songs on here. For me the song just has a very even flow (sry) as it keeps steady and keeps me interested even when the chorus isn't there. My only criticism is that the guitar solo and the bridge at the halfway mark weren't really needed and just streches the song unnecessarily. The greatness stays with 'Alive', another very widely known track that brings in much more emotional depth instead of having the classic "rock to it" attitude. And while that makes it one of the most interesting and gripping moments on the album, I do think that they could've done a little bit more in terms of making it a more emotional listen than it already is. But the final guitar solo is one of if not the best on the album. 'Why Go' follows with a very overblown vocal delivery that just does not work in the way it is mostly performed. I do not care for it most of the time although the chorus is pretty neat once it starts. While it also feels a little overblown at the start, once 'Black' reaches the climax with the piano it does make a pretty deeply touching song and the guitar solo the second time just adds even more. I just think that another band could've made the song into MUCH more than it came out here. Still a great piece. 'Jeremy' is another one of the widely known songs this album offers. And it is in my opinion the worst one so far. It isn't a bad song but it fails to hook with the hook, to make me emotional with the performance or interested in anything they do on here. It's there and has some neat moments but ultimately fails to make anything noteworthy. The second half starts with 'Oceans' and it has a similar problem to 'Jeremy' as the song does not appeal to me in any way. Only that I here feel like they had a much bigger intention and ambition that in the end couldn't be fully implemented. 'Porch' is much better but I still don't care much for it. I don't have much to say about it except that I do not mind the song but it isn't as interesting as most previous stuff. The next song 'Garden' is much better though. The early appearing chorus and the the strong difference between the loud and noisy chorus and the slower and quieter verses work really well and make this another more emotional cut on the album and easily my favourite on this half of the album and the album in general. But the momentum isn't held as 'Deep' is another rather forgettable song. The vocal performance on the chorus is pretty strong though. 'Release' is conceptually a very different song as the song itself is with over 6 minutes the longest but includes a "hidden track" at the end called 'Master / Slave'. 'Release itself is actually pretty good in the way it adds a lot of characteristics of Post-Punk and builds up pretty nicely. It's just that the tension build doesn't release into anything worthy. The chorus is very basic and the way it vocally goes into that is even more average. Having just the influences from another genre and a bigger length doesn't make it as great as it could've been. The ominous ending that is 'Master / Slave' is pretty great in comparison and makes it ultimately a track worthy of being here. favourites: Garden, Alive, Even Flow, Black least favourites: Oceans, Porch, Deep Rating: decent 7 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

1-5 is 5 star. 6-10 is 2.5 star-ish. A 4 then

Explain this Atheists: How the fuck did these blokes predict that Mookie Blaylock would be an All-Star and make the All-Defensive first team twice?? Bro would pick your pocket then laugh about it. He was a quality college baller but it was still early doors for him. Now, why is Mookie relevant? Mookie Blaylock was their original band name and Mookie wore the No.10 jersey. Hence, the debut being titled "Ten". "Ten" was released during the peak of grunge and given there was an abundance of bands trying their luck, success wasn't guaranteed. It would take something special like this release to help Pearl Jam be acknowledged as a part of the 'Big Four' during this era. The cover art is the members standing in a circle with their arms risen, hands meeting in the middle. Bassist Jeff Ament stated this signified being together as a group and entering into the world of music as a true band...a sort of all-for-one deal. Ok, seems reasonable enough and a suitable choice for a debut. It's never been a personal favourite cover but it is serviceable. But all of this background information means fuck all if the music is nothing of note… right? We kick things off with "Once", an intro containing some nice percussion, droned out vocals from Eddie which then kick shit into gear with an immense main guitar riff and heavy drumming. It tells the tale of man who "once upon a time, could control myself" but descends into madness and turn into a serial killer. Intense songwriting choice for an opener but I think it pays off massively. I understand many peoples gripes with Eddie as a vocalist but my word is this a good start. The almost rapped pre-chorus is cool. A tight solo follows into a belter of a performance from Eddie on the final chorus, strained and passion filled. Great start. Next… Explain this Atheists "Even Flow" has what debatably could be one of the most recognisable intro riffs of all time. Now, this is an occasion of which I could agree with the gripes surrounding Eddie's vocal style as through the verses in this, his delivery of certain lines sound awkward to me. His performance on the chorus is better. The guitar work on this one is absolutely marvellous, duelling lead and rhythm parts from Mike and Stone which harmonise in parts are just brilliant. Dave Krusen's drumming here is tight and rocksteady, audible on the bridge. It's iconic, it's great What's up with these iconic intro riffs?? Well next up we have "Alive" which has a nice duelling between the electric main riff and an steady acoustic chord progression under it. Dave's drumming is also of interest in this intro, with the open hi-hat punching straight through the mix. Eddie tells a personal story of which his mother tells him the man who he thought was his father was actually his stepfather, his biological father no longer alive. A strong piece of songwriting, an absolute barnstormer of a chorus which then leads into more great guitar play. Eddie croons as he does best in parts here then explodes again for the final chorus before another tight solo from Mike which has Dave thrashing the living shit out of the kit. Absolute brilliance, one of their best with no real gripes from me here. "Why Go" reverses the approach, the intro is done through a tight drum pattern from Dave and a thick bassline from Jeff. The main riff here is rather subdued, a palm muted affair that doesn't really come to life until the chorus riff. However the same dark storytelling resumes. It is about a girl who was put in mental hospital against her will and without any mental illness. “Why Go” refers to the lack of motivation to go back home after spending time unjustly in this place. Eddie's performance is solid, nothing outstanding though and the droned out backing vocal through the chorus I find rather odd to be honest. The star of the show here is again the solo from Mike. Good, doesn't really compare with the first three tracks though and CERTAINLY NOT the next two that follow. Did you think you would get given a reprieve from the dark storytelling here? May I offer you an opportunity to double down with "Black" instead. My fucking word what a song. Who said a song about a relationship falling to pieces had to be done through a soppy slow ballad, clearly not Eddie. Again, easily recognisable intro riff which kicks the song off, a clean guitar riff might I add here which is a rarity here. Again a lovely duelling lead and rhythm pairing are present with some underlying piano playing courtesy of guest performer Rick Parashar. The distorted guitar lick leading into the chorus sounds fucking great. It's the back half of this song that makes it seriously incredible. Eddie belts and croons his ass off, a nice lead solo from Mike is played over the main riff and the doo-doo-doo's harmonise with it and work perfectly. A very well written and played song paired with an absolutely unreal vocal performance, especially on the back half. Special, special song. Could anything top "Black" for me, well surprisingly yes. For me personally, "Jeremy" is far and away my favourite Pearl Jam ever released and it begins with that goddamn bassline and some sharp cymbal work from Dave. The song takes its main inspiration from a newspaper article about a 15-year-old boy named Jeremy Wade Delle from Richardson, Texas, who shot himself in front of his teacher and his second-period English class of 30 students on the morning of January 8, 1991. Eddie details who Jeremy was and I think the chorus solely being "Jeremy spoke in class today, Jeremy spoke in class today" is an absolutely chilling and genius line. Aside from the story behind it, again some seriously good duelling guitar work is on display as well as guest performer Walter Gray on the cello. It is all capped with the iconic climax where Eddie belts something along the lines of "AH AIGH AI AI AY YEAHHH", sounds good to me mate. Top tier, their best in my eyes. So that's the A-Side down and well, it was pretty stellar. "Why Go" is the weakest on that side but that is only because it has 5 behemoths strategically sandwiching it. "Oceans" is the first track on the B-Side and… it's alright. Comfortably the shortest track on the album, clocking in at 2:41, it may also be the weakest on the album. Eddie details that he doesn't want a lover of his to stray away as he will return to them. I don't know about this one to be honest, it's a little cliché with the use of 'ocean' terms and metaphors. It's also nothing really special musically. The acoustic guitar work sounds nice and is honestly maybe the highlight of this, or maybe the underlying bassline of loses any audibility after Eddie intensifies his vocal. It's decent but never a song I'd come back to. Next up is in my opinion maybe the most underrated song on the album, "Porch". I absolutely love Eddie's fast, almost rapped delivery through the verse. The guitars are crunchy as all fuck through the chorus, nearly ear piercing. The underlying bassline is ever present and sounds great, the double tracked guitar solo sound fantastic. The little drum fill before the final chorus booms and the little guitar licks in that chorus while Eddie belts combine for a brilliant little track. "Garden" kicks off with the opening and main riff for the track, a lovely clean one at that. The verses are fine but my word does Eddie put on a killer performance for one of my favourite choruses on the album. With what is meant to be with reference to the Gulf War, Eddie belts: "Yet I'll go with my hands bound. I will walk with my face, blood. I will walk with my shadow flag Into your garden, garden of stone, yeah." On first listen it took my attention immediately. Aside from this, some chunky distorted guitars come in for the 2nd chorus and progress onward. A lovely solo intersects and acts as the bridge with more duelling guitars, you really need to listen to this through headphones for the isolating channel experience. This continues through to the final chorus which is a culmination of everything, Eddie belting, guitars soloing either channel, a chunky main riff played under it and some ever steady drumming. Fantastic song. We then run into a bit of an oddball, "Deep". The guitar driven intro is fun but simultaneously sounds like an AIC rip off. The subject matter stays dark, describing a man that is contemplating suicide by jumping off a building, in too deep to stop himself. I can't pinpoint exactly what about this song doesn't do it for me but I suppose not everything has to click. The main riff is ominous, dark and near disorienting, the storytelling is there, the slick bridge transition is cool and the drum fill finish the song off nicely but as a whole it's just a good track, not amazing. So, how do you cap this album off? With an appropriately titled "Release" of course. Eddie's approach on the first verse here took my interest. It's noticeably in a deeper and more guttural sounding register. Do I necessarily like it? Fuck knows, but it's interesting and makes sense given what follows. He belts "release me" and that's where the switch to typical Eddie occurs. The guitar effects give the track a unique atmosphere. What I don't understand is why the 'hidden' track is latched onto this and done where the transition is rather odd. Would've rather it just cut at the end of "Release". Good song and a suitable closer to the album nonetheless. My final thoughts on this and especially what to score this are somewhat convoluted. It's a great debut, do not get that twisted. Eddie has moments of magic and some where I can see the hatred toward his vocal style being justified. Instrumentation is superb for the most part. I do not like how it closes with the transition to the hidden track and I just feel like that the drop off from Side-A to B is rather significant. "Ten" also has been attributed to significantly influencing the post-grunge/dad rock/butt rock scenes that many hate and I can also see that. It's great, but I feel it may very well be the weakest amongst it's big four counterparts. Also, they could've fucked off "Oceans", then they would have an album called "Ten" that actually has 10 tracks, idiots. Track Ratings Once: 4.5/5 Even Flow: 4.5/5 Alive: 5/5 Why Go: 4/5 Black: 5/5 Jeremy: 5/5 Oceans: 3.5/5 Porch: 4.5/5 Garden: 4.5/5 Deep: 4/5 Release: 4/5 AVERAGE TRACK RATING = 48.5/55 x 10 = 8.8/10 ALBUM RATING = 8/10 TOTAL RATING = 8.4/10

This record was ubiquitous in my small suburban NJ town when I was 11 or 12 in the early 90’s. Everyone my age knew these songs, liked these songs. You heard them on the radio, saw the videos on MTV. There were commercials on broadcast TV during sporting events or American Gladiators in promotion of this album, so even if you didn’t have MTV, you were aware of it. You’d listen to this record with your friends on the way to soccer or lacrosse practice and debate if Pearl Jam was better than Nirvana. I’m struggling to think of someone I knew back then who actively disliked Pearl Jam. It was like oxygen: all around you, all the time, providing a sort of angsty teenage sustenance that kept you going. This record is one of the soundtracks to my youth and if you’re in your early 40’s, it’s probably one of yours, too. Listening to it just feels right, like putting on a pair of comfortable slippers or finally getting home after a long plane ride. I am fully on board with the nostalgia trip that this record provides. And that is why I was going to give it 5 stars. The more you focus on nostalgia, however, the more you’ll start to remember the cracks in perfection: like how you never really used to listen to this entire album and would start to lose attention after “Jeremy”, even though “Porch” was pretty fucking good. I’m willing to bet that if you found an original vinyl pressing of this record, the A-side of it would have a lot more wear than the B-side. The A-side of Ten is amazing, hit after hit after hit. I think every one of those songs got massive airplay back in 1992. The B-side of this record…not nearly as strong. Ten is a great reminder that when you’re being nostalgic, you’re choosing to remember the great things and usually not the factual reality. But, man…is that A-side fantastic, or what?

Super album but not quite a 5 star.

I love Vs. and Vitalogy, which makes me think perhaps the wrong Pearl Jam album is on the list. I know the album very well, and revisiting it should tell whether it's a 4 or 5. This holds up incredibly well. If you don't let some of the heavy subject matter get to you, this will always be an enjoyable listen. Bonus points: Sent me on a deep dive through the heap of incredible live Pearl Jam albums (seriously, I stopped counting, there were so many in Spotify alone). Minus point: Realizing my favorite Pearl Jam songs aren't on this album. Actual rating is 4.5.

4 superb grunge songs and a bunch of other unfocused tracks that make Pearl Jam one of the weaker bands in grunge's main staple.

Вроде бы и неплохо, но эти роковые депрессии совсем не в настроение, в другое время может быть и понравилось бы, а пока увы

never really sat down and listened to this before although it was on in the background constantly through 1992 it seemed. Alive and Black carry this through the 3* barrier, the rest sounds like Guns'n'Roses playing Neil Young at times (appropriately enough). I think they got better, I remember quite liking the avocado one

Pull out Skate 3 and put on your white robe, Jesus. It’s time Pearl Jam time. I remember the first time I listened to Pearl Jam intentionally. I was roughly 15 at the time. My mom had just gotten a new car, and we had satellite radio free for 2 weeks. One of the channels offered just played Pearl Jam. Only Pearl Jam, all the time. As I listened, I would ask myself questions like, “How much can you love Pearl Jam that you would become a radio DJ for a station that only plays Pearl Jam and nothing else? Is there really enough Pearl Jam to give enough listening variety? Is the DJ secretly just a member of Pearl Jam?” I couldn’t get into it then, and I can’t get into it now. I’ve definitely listened to worse albums, but I will always choose other albums to listen to. Even the songs I do like, I prefer other band’s covers of.

Harder rock than I usually listen to, but I like Eddie Vedder's voice. Good stuff. My band plays Alive, so I was familiar with that one. Not enough variety in the tunes for me. "Release", though, is a nice change of pace.

Ok, so here’s my problem with Pearl Jam… 1.I had never consciously listened to them but if you played a song I would have probably guessed that’s who it is. Half the album are overplayed hits. I was most into the songs I had never heard before. 2. I have this preconceived notion of who a “pearl jam fan” is and it’s a crusty older dude who is wearing vans, past his prime, and waaaaay too into them. Everything is about stories from when they were in college… 3. I actually liked the music! It sounds good! But I can’t f’ing understand the lyrics because he slurs his words and mumbles! ENUNCIATE, please!

Tedious slog. Maybe you had to be there.

Nicht gut gealtert. 90er Powerrock mit starken Powermännern fand ich mal richtig gut, aber nervt jetzt eher. Noch ein Stern für die guten alten Zeiten

Too dreary.

I don't like pearl jam!!!!!! AGGGHHHHHHHH

Songs to eat a shotgun too. Grunge is dull. Voice is not great.

eveorj;asrjis;df yeahyeahyeahfuckitup

Sure, I'll listen to this one again. 5/5

It's just an undeniable album, isn't it

Can't argue with that

Ten stars

"Even flow" is great, of course. "Alive", as well. ...and "Jeremy". The rest is pretty good, but not to the level of the hits. Over all a VERY good album! 5/5

So cool to revisit this album I WORE OUT in the 90s. There is no let up and I preferred it to Nirvana at the time--although I might have swung the other way since. Perfect album, no notes.

A grunge classical. No more words to say about it. 5 stars.

Enjoyed a lot mostly here for the singles but the whole thing is great

Eddie Vedder has one of the finest voices in rock music. This is a standard setter for everything that came after. Despite been a massive step away from Nevermind they complement one another brilliantly

Classic album

Heard it before. Oh I've heard it so many times. A truly life-changing album for me and I'm forever grateful I met my best friend in the world thanks to Pearl Jam 5/5

The Good: We’ve got jam! The Bad: It isn’t strawberry… The Ugly: Fill in the blanks… Ah, to be young again… and that is not the first time that I started a review this way. Though I was not on the PJ bandwagon when it hit town, I had plenty of friends who were, while I was, I guess, still trying to get into the whole rock n roll kind a thing. So, grunge… I love me some grunge! I hate me some grunge too! And, when you think about it, there is a reason that grunge only lasted as long as it did… who wants to stay angry all the time, and find a need to hide in a spoon full of h? Eddie V’s vocals are second only to Chric C, in my humbles of opinions, and both of them huge frontmen during the grunge scene. Then there’s the band… just awesome… Then there’s the hits… when you’re freshmen effort lands you 5 massive hits, you know you’re on to something good! So, though I would not rank this album a 10… it sure is getting 5*

That is great album! Love it! 👍👍👍

Masterpiece

I was surprised by how much I loved this. Feels kind of like harder, grungier Radiohead. Yes.

10/10 always loved this album , middle to the back end is incredible

Classic album

They knew what they had when they titled this album. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ x2

Grunge with a little extra. Outstanding Debut Album with so so many hits. Still great in 2025.

Favorite Track: Even Flow

Great vocals, great guitar. An incredible debut album from a new line up, that feels fully formed and hasn't dated all that much in the last 30+ years. They had their own sound from the start, that blended a whole lot of influences and was obviously very influential in turn. One of the reasons I've shied away from Pearl Jam in the past is that there were so many "Vedder-style vocalists" in 90s music and I developed an aversion to that whole subgenre of vocal style. But this was the original Vedder-style vocal, and so well-executed. The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to Alive for me (I have simple tastes), but what a song Alive is. That transition from the "yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah" to the solo is top tier. And what a solo. And the rest of the song. Just brilliant. The second solo is possibly even better. I'm not surprised they let it go on for half the song. Imagine being there in 1991 and hearing this album, alongside all the other incredible new music coming out at that time. I don't usually listen to songs like Porch or Garden when I listen to Pearl Jam, but they are also very, very good. McCready's guitar is such a standout throughout the entire album. So raw and beautiful. The whole thing is grunge, obviously, but so melodic and pleasing to listen to in a way that a lot of other grunge wasn't.

so many great songs. for even flow and alive alone this album deserves 5 stars

Banger after banger here. Fantastic from beginning to end. Deserving of its GOAT-level status.

it was good, not a single consonant in the whole album

Nearly perfect album. I don't know that they've ever topped this debut. Fav song has got to be "Black."

Damn

A pivotal album in music history that helped define the alternative music’s grunge scene. This band and sound was the one that imitators often tried to emulate. A true classic.

Perfect album, one of my all time favourites.

Masterpiece. One of my all-time favorites.

Loved it Pearl Jam is one of my favorites

Absolutely loved this one

A lot of bangers on here, but I’ve never bothered to listen to it from start to finish. It really is cohesive and love the last track and the now elusive secret track.