Ten

Nicht ganz meins, einige okaye/gute Momente dabei aber insgesamt zu lang und gleichförmig.

this is the worst stone temple pilots cover band i've ever heard

Too 90s rock for my taste. Seems like something that would appeal to a bunch of middle aged white men.

Still don't like Pearl Jam but at least I gave the album a chance

I feel bad for not liking this but it’s just so depressing and dark

Can't fucking stand Eddie Vedder's voice, sorry. It's not a bad album by any means but it was fucking difficult to listen to for me.

23rd March 2022 Listened in the office on a sunny day! Quiet evening, watched the Adam project on the last day of the juice cleanse. Not bad, but doesn't ever hit the heights of Yellow Leadbetter for me. 2.5 if I could. Reminds me of Andy.

I'm familiar with Pearl Jam even though they aren't an artist I play on the regular. I think I've understood why i'm not really a Pearl Jam listening, after the music played through their songs, I didn't realise they were all different..I actually thought it was just one massive track rather than individual songs.

Didn't listen this time, but I remember only really liking Alive and the song about Jeremy from past listens...

First time of Listening and not a fan when I started. But can see some merit in the lyrical content of the album, but the music for me is standard late 70's-80's-90's guitar based middle-heavy rock. Not to my taste but can see why a new generation of Rock fans were drawn to Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam. "Release" is my favourite on the album. Not in my collection to be totally honest. But I suppose I can see why it is here.

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Black, Oceans Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Nothing intelligent nor funny to say about this album, I just don't care for grunge. Guitar sludge.

I don’t know this, other than Alive. To me the sound is a lot more anthemic stadium rock than grunge, the lyrics are grungey though & Eddie Vedder does have a good voice for that though. It’s not my cup of tea, but it is well done.

Not quite impressive

Penso dovrebbe piacermi, eppure non mi piace.

Pedestrian stuff. How this mob get compared to Nirvana in any meaningful way is beyond me

I got bored after the fifth track

This sounds like the same song over and over again. I enjoyed Even Flow, but nothing else (no, not even Alive, fight me).

Oof, this one didn't do much for me. I acknowledge it's a good album, it was just VERY much not for me. Fave track: Even Flow, I guess?

grunge muy lento

Have never listened to a Pearl Jam album. Sat down and listened to the whole album all the way through while writing this. 1. Once 3:51 - I didn't really like how Eddie Vedder's voice hit me on this track, which ruined the song for me. 2. Even Flow 4:52 - This song brings me back to my guitar hero days. Good song with a nice personal nostalgia bonus. 3. Alive 5:40 - This song has been on the radio for 30 years straight which is a turn off, but I gave it a chance and was impressed by the guitar solo at the end. Still won't look forward to hearing this song on the radio for another 30 years though. 4. Why Go 3:20 - Interesting guitar rift which the song is built around for an otherwise uninteresting song. 5. Black 5:42 - Placed well in the album for a slow down of tempo. Was writing that this was my second favorite song so far after Even Flow but then the ending the song came on. 6. Jeremy 5:18 - Alright song. also has annoying ending. 7. Oceans 2:41 - Good variety of sound, another slower tempo song. Pretty good. 8. Porch 3:30 - Not a bad song. Continues the trend of just repeating the same thing over and over at the end of the track for 30 seconds. Just end the song bro. 9. Garden 4:58 - Intro into the main body of the song was cool, and like the transition back for the interlude. Might be my favorite song on the album. Definitely the most interesting track. 10. Deep 4:18 - Not a great track. Interlude is the best part but the main guitar rift is too bad to save. 11. Release 9:06 - Fuck, a nine minute song to end the album. You're really going to do me like this Pearl Jam? Slow but a decent build up. Actually turned out decent. Experimental vibe to the song which I am not really into personally but I get it. Not bad. Album as a whole was an interesting listen. It does a good job of keeping the variety while feeling like a cohesive album. That being said nothing really grabbed me and made me want to listen to it again. The only song I'm going to add to my library will be Even Flow because of the nostalgia. Score 2.5/5 rounded down to a 2/5.

It's hard, regardless of how closely I listen, to separate my biases and snap impressions of grunge from this album, clocking in at a healthy length. It is unique in that its position in pop music history is clear. There are new elements not present in the preceding rock wave, and the inherited ones have the complexity dialed down and the loudness up. The guitars are in the driver's seat; I'm tempted to treat that as a strength. It is a bit repetitive, though, and from hair metal Pearl Jam also takes the notion that slowing things down is a good idea. The band seems unfairly singled out for malignment. They drift to the pop edge of their lane, but make something perfectly listenable and of some historical interest.

The singers voice is the same as the one me and my friend put on when we're making up fake shit north American songs. It is grating. Levels all turned up to 10 for everything also took away a lot from the album. It just dulled everything. Has some redeeming features. They're all clearly competent musicians, but to me it came across as emo without any edge.

I was never a big fan of Pearl Jam. Just ok. 2.5 stars.

Not crazy about grunge, this also felt like it had a lot of filler.

Couple good songs, but Pearl Jam have always felt never more than safe and middle of the road for me.

heard all these songs growing up on the radio, but never in this order...still not a fan

I didn't vibe with this album. The only song I like is Alive, and I think that's purely for nostalgia. So for that I give 2/5 stars.

Not really a fan of rock

I'm sure this album is great for people who like this style of singing. I, unfortunately, do not.

eh

дамы и господа, позвольте представить самый переоценённый альбом в истории, блаблабла Я без понятия, кому эта уныль кажется чем-то интересным. Вкупе с описаниями с википедии по типу «оказал огромное влияние на умы молодёжи», «самый влиятельный альбом гранжа» и «величайший альбом 90-х» — у меня ощущение, что я попал в шоу Трумана, и надо мной вершится один бесконечный розыгрыш. Ой, правда, величайший альбом 90-х? Тогда какого хуя каждая вторая группа в 90-х звучала как Нирвана, а это говно даже особо копировать никто не стал? Не, наверняка там влияние оказал на многих, но только многие покивали, отложили Перл Джем на полку, взяли гитары и стали делать в десять раз более интересное музло. Ну окей, хуй с ней с переоценкой. Что по музыкальной сути? А по музыкальной сути это блять просто пустышка, это один из самых необязательных альбомов, что я вообще слышал. Начинается, впрочем, он с лучшей песни, поэтому я могу поверить, что сначала всё это кажется чем-то интригующим. Даже скрим прикольный в куплет завезли. Потом Even Flow — в целом тоже норм, но уже как-то в непонятках находишься. В основном из-за одной мысли: это реально должно так звучать? Ибо звучание этого альбома — это просто вырвиушная хуйня, даже для труъ-raw-гранжа и всякого такого. Дело не в сырости, а в том, что тон у гитар на некоторых песнях просто омерзительный. Больше всего это слышно, конечно, на песне Porch — правая гитара настолько высокочастотная и настолько громко выведена в миксе, что у меня буквально заложило ухо с неё и появился неприятный писк. Но и в остальных дела ненамного лучше. Почти каждая песня — это какая-то проверка на прочность, сколько ты сможешь вытерпеть блеклых безвкусных гитарных запилов без единого — единого блять — цепляющего риффа. Реально, кто-то заполнил отсюда хоть одну не вокальную мелодию? А вокальную, кстати? Потому что Эдди Веддер не только ужасный вокалист (здесь я могу списать на вкусовщину, ибо вот эти рычащие рокенролльные голоса мне никогда не нравились), но и никакой композитор. Ну ладно, припев Once вроде выделяется как нечто сформировавшееся. Ну ладно, припев Even Flow вроде обладает какой-то попсовой ноткой. Ну лаааадно, припев Garden выделяется среди прочей дисторшновой жижи. Но кроме этого я вообще нихуя вычленить не могу. Это какое-то абсолютно лишённое вкуса, запаха и ГМО рычание на паре нот, поданное настолько неинтересно, насколько я могу себе представить. Кстати насчет второй и последней интересной фишки после второго припева Once. Это вокальные распевки в Black. Не сказал бы, что это нечто гениальное, но в какой-то момент поймал себя на мысли, что в целом ведь сам мог бы так же где-то сделать. Посему идея-то классная. Только длится раза в два дольше, чем должна бы, чтобы не надоедать и не портить настроение. Но окей, два хайлайта у альбома есть. К счастью, я не из тех, кто ебенит альбомам пятёру за две нормальные песни (а тем более за два нормальных отрывка), поэтому эта унылая коренролловая параша получает 4/10 и лучше бы ей больше мне на глаза не показываться.

Even Flow all I recognize as something I have listened too

ehh.. not my style

a bit too strong for me

Very Pearl Jamy... idk not really my bag. Don’t like his voice. Sounds like the 90s. Which despite having lived in, I cannot relate to at all.

Albumik ktorego zapach mozna poczuc, slyszysz pierwsze kordy gitarki i juz widzisz kuce, metalowe odzienia, czujesz ten zapach, ale to jednak jest album popularnego rocka, nigdy wczesniej nie przesluchalem calego i znalem tylko klasycznego alive, poznanego oczywiscie z gta sa, chyba nic nowego nie wrzuce na plejke z tej plyty, bo nic szczegolnie mnie nie wciagnelo do ponownego odsluchu, albo jednak dodam zamkykajacy track, bo akurat takie spokojniejsze brzkadanie, bez tego natretnego w twoja twarz wokalu mi pasuje

Ha envejecido mucho.

Ehhh. Not the best Seattle band. Thought it was ass for quite a while, but came around to making it two stars by the end. Not really made for the modern streaming world or even just non-live performances.

Grunge, råbende, guitar riffs

It kind of pissed me off how boring this album is

Not for me not a fan of rock in general

Not my jam

not my kind

I have heard of Pearl Jam, but I am not sure I have ever actually heard them, I definitely couldn't name any of their songs. Now that I have listened to the album, I can say that this is the music that plays at the Hard Rock Café to middle-aged guys in baseball caps and leather jackets. How was this released in 1991? It sounds like it's from the 70s, or more realistically, the early 80s, when it would already have been a bit passé. Just look at how many of the other reviews (5-star reviews especially) say something like "Sounds as good as when I bought it on release!" I thought about revising my appraisal of this as dad rock, but it's 2026 when I write this, so 35 years after release. It's dad rock. I was also amazed to see that this was considered grunge. The only grunge I hear is in the mealy-mouthed singing. I was very amused by the review which says "Eddie Vedder's impressionistic lyrics often make their greatest impact through the passionate commitment of his delivery rather than concrete meaning." Hmm, yes, maybe, but to me this is the politest possible way of saying "These lyrics are nonsense and badly sung." I've often disagreed with the consensus opinion on albums in this project, and the distribution of ratings here really brought that home to me, it's skewed so far to the 5-stars it's amazing. To me, this is proof that the reviews here say far, far more about the userbase of the website than they do the actual quality or even importance of the albums. In some ways it's very freeing to know that I don't have to care about what other people on this site think. I truly do not respect their opinions. But I do like that people have different opinions, interpretations, and enjoyment to music than I do. Peace.

I’m sure if you’re into this kind of thing, it’s great. I, unfortunately, am not.

I tried it but I don’t like pearl jam srry

Es ruidoso. No me gusta.

una verga aguante lo hispano

no soy para nada fan de pearl jam con todo respeto

Depressing. Not for me

Boring classic rock/grunge. I dislike Eddie Vedder’s voice with a passion. I just don’t get the praise.

Nope

don't like this at all

I tried to come at this with an open mind, but the Pearl Jam sound just doesn't connect with me. I didn't love the lyrics, and the melodies just sound like everything else I heard on the radio in the 90s.

Proper music for subscribers to Guitar Player magazine. Dead boring. Eddie Vedder sings in a way that gives a totally impression that he's on about something deep and important, but it's mostly sixth form nonsense. Baffling why this slick lump of stodgy classic rock was mentioned in the same breath as records by much stranger works from Nirvana, Melvin, Dinosaur Jr, Afghan Whigs, etc. It came out when I was at school and I didn't understand why loads of other "alternative" kids lapped this dadrock up. Doesn't "feel" like a 1 star album, but it strongly disliked every song. 1 star it is. Hats off to the lads, though, for their stances against ticket gougers and so on.

Not my thing.

1 point for Black.

i hate it omg i can’t make it through

This is just everything I dislike. The overly pop rock, the almost jarring over exaggeration of words and the cover was like a GCSE media project. Wouldn’t listen to again.

Ugh. This band is terrible.

nope

Some might say that Pearl Jam is among the best of the 1990s music scene, and they would still be in the bottom of the list stacked against 60s and 70s musicians. Slurred and mumbled lyrics, and anytime you think they may actually break out into a melody they take a quick left into thrash and trash. They suck.

затянутая скучная хуйня, под конец аж голова разболелась

Could have been a two but the cherry on top to this annoying album was the final OVER 8 MINUTE song.

Instrumentals are decent but I can't get past my dislike for that voice

I don't get Pearl Jam

Corporate Rock Sucks

Uuuuurgh hard Rock is so boring

not my style

Dislike pearl jam

I couldn’t decide whether to just write indecipherable grunts for this review or to actually articulate my thoughts as to why this is the worst, most poisonous band to ever (dis) grace the mainstream rock world. I think it’s a lazy internet meme to be like “uhhh I can’t understand him lolz xD.” So I would like to express - at every given opportunity - the hatred that pours from me when forced to listen to this garbage. To give you an idea of how much I think this group sucks, I was unable to play them on Spotify. Thinking I’d have to go YouTube and endure Eddie Vedder’s disingenuous caterwauling mixed in with ads for DoorDash, I realized that I have them blocked on Spotify. If there was ever a time to congratulate my former self, it is now. A large bravo to my keen sense of taste from years ago. Anyway. A temporary unblocking is in order. Just long enough to endure this pile of waste. Once - The amount of times I’ll listen to this record. You’re not Black Sabbath and unfortunately this isn’t planet caravan. This is planet earth, where we praise and exalt hollow, empty tripe in order to avoid I don’t even know man. Enjoyable art? “Ohhhhh wanna backseat lover and a” I CANNOT DEAL WITH THIS. If you read this review, you may end up watching a man die in real time. Fuck You, Eddie Vedder I. Even Flow - I accidentally added “Buddy Holly” by Weezer to my Queue. Wondered why a good song started playing. That would be a smart plan for the next Pearl Jam album. Play songs from different, better artists. This song sucks. It’s Lynyrd Skynyrd for girls. Let me rephrase that. It’s Lynyrd Skynyrd for guys who base their whole personality around appealing to girls, instead of just, you know, being yourself and not being a weird predator. Fuck you, Eddie Vedder II. Alive - See lyrics. Read “unfortunately.” The worst vocalist in music history is in his most pure form here. Fuck You, Eddie Vedder III Why Go - Why do anything? Why get up? Why love? Why live? Ah yes “she was diagnosed, by some stupid fuck.” What a beautiful lyric from a mature poetic musician worthy of extensive praise. Black - She’s an empty canvas. Why is every song about a nameless girl that Eddie Vedder is presumably assaulting or manipulating into some sort of relationship. Honestly? The women who would be wooed by this probably deserve Eddie. For their most popular song, this is one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard. A melody that makes me feel like I’m being interrogated. I am under duress. If there was a white flag I would wave it. Jeremy - JEREMY SPOKE IN IGHHHURRRRGHHH. What a beautiful tale about the child you bullied. Oceans - I laughed at this one. That’s pretty funny. He really thinks he’s slaying it. Oh man. That was good. Porch - I’d hit you. I’ve certainly struck the power button of my radio once or twice during non-consensual Pearl Jam time. Garden - I knew this album would be bad, but I didn’t expect to also be this bored. Angry and bored is a losing combination, albeit at least normal for Monday. Deep - More bad songs that are actually too inconsequential to even speak about. Release - It is almost time for freedom. I will not take my freedom for granted. I will inhale a little deeper. Hold my loved ones a little tighter. While I’m fairly certain there is no deity who patrols our isolated little planet, I will project thanks from my very being for never having to listen to this again. Except on the radio, in trains, in malls, on TV, at the dentist, in other people’s cars, in car commercials. Fuck. I can’t stand this. I’ve run out of fervour. I am weak with despondency. From the album cover with paid actors pretending they’re enjoying a Pearl Jam show to literally the worst vocals in the history of rock music, this is a trainwreck with about 15 million monthly casualties. Fortunately, the Pearl Jam fan base can’t read, or otherwise they might get extremely upset at this. I kid those folks. I heard a few of them are getting promoted to lead gas pumper. Some of them even have weekend custody of their kids! It’s a strong group, and 15 million geniuses of that calibre can’t be wrong. Listen, I’m a pro wrestling fan who frequently misuses words, so I am no stranger to idiocy but come on guys. You’re somewhat better than this. You see, I must be mad because I’m lashing out at innocent simpletons due to the pain I just battled through. They don’t deserve that. You may enjoy your terrible rock band in peace. Just please, please, pretty please stop including this band in the same breath as Nirvana. That’s like saying Celine Dion and Gorguts are the same genre because they’re both from Quebec. Lunacy. Oh and Fuck Eddie Vedder times infinity. 0 HIGHLIGHTS: Ground Zero for every stinky, instagram singer with yet to be uncovered allegations.

Bis zum 5.Track ausgehalten… ist einfach nicht meine Musik ;)

I'm not a fan of Eddie Vedder. And this album is so weird. It's grunge era album, but it's not really a grunge album. It's just a bunch of regular rock songs that routinely go on to long. Why do we need 5 or 6 minute songs here? Leave the stretching out to Gov't Mule. There are some guitar hooks, but EV is SO over the top with his vocal emotions that I can't get past the vocals. Always been the black sheep of the Seattle bands for me. I've tried a few different times to give this album another chance, but it's not for me. Just because I took the time to look up the release dates: 8/27/1991 - Ten 9/24/1991 - Nevermind 10/8/91 - Badmotorfinger I'll always be Team SG first but Nevermind is a stone cold, locked down classic album too.

Demasiado rock cañero que me da dolor de cabeza

Little too intense for me

I do not like this man's voice

I just do not enjoy incoherent shouting over loud sounds it turns out

Yuck.

I loathe Pearl Jam. Eddie Vedder is a douche who can’t sing. Rating: —10!

Back in 91, my appreciation of grunge stretched as far as Mudhoney and Nirvana - 30+ years later, my I appreciation of grunge stretches as far as Nirvana, as I now know Mudhoney are essentially a garage rock band who continue to be way better than anything the grunge scene churned out. Pearl Jam always sounded like bad pub rock played by dads. Those wretched guitar solos that leap out of nowhere and just make you want to cry; that pained, phlegmy voice... And the songs just don't seem to end! I wondered if the years might have been kind to them - my tastes have certainly changed, so I was keen to give this record a fair go, but no. It's awful. I hope never to hear it again.

Off the cuff remark: unremittingly dull rawk. Vocals are especially grating. Standout track: couldn't bear to listen to any all the way through. Revisit?: no, no, no, no

Aldrig fattat storheten

Far too much wah guitar and pitch bending for my taste, it quickly becomes monotonous. How many guitar solos do you want on an album? All of them, apparently. I can see how it might appeal to some, but to me it just feels self-indulgent. I’m also not a fan of the overall mix; the drum sound, particularly that hollow snare, really doesn’t do it any favours. Eddie Vedder’s vocal style, like he gargles a bag of jagged stones every morning, only adds to the fatigue. It all blurs into one long track stretched over 53 minutes. I won’t be revisiting this. I slogged through it once and that was enough.

Extremly boring

most overrated band, maybe of all time? have no idea what makes this band special other than eddie vedder’s annoying vocals. and it shows since they fell the fuck off after their second record :///

Du rock un peu trop vieu pour moi

A lesson in tedium. The opening and closing bass lines of the album are the highlights. Whiny vocal throughout does nothing for me.

DNF

Not how I like my music but I realy really like "Black".

Really awful, how this lot were lumped in with grunge when they're clearly metal is a mystery. I wish I could give it no stars.

Didn’t like it then , don’t like it now. Not even a sense of nostalgia from this. Eddie is just horrible.

Not my style, kinda boring

Dire

WHY MOMMY WHY?!?!

As far as debut goes... this is an ok stepping stone, but it's not a very strong album. The mediocre drumming is way too in the front of the mix, Eddie Vedder has not found his voice yet, and nothing musically interesting happens until, maybe, Jeremy and then it's followed by more of the same. In a year where Gish, Nevermind, BADMOTORFINGER, Goo, Pretty on the Inside, Blood Suger Sex Magic, Screamadelica, and Trompe le Monde I have no idea how or why this album would stand out and make any top of lists.

One of the most overrated bands, right behind The Smiths and REM. No thank you. This album should be called 1 out of 10.

No reason to listen again. Drab, monotonous.

Been a long time since we've heard from any female or LGBTQ majority artists. Having such an aggressive, masculine album seems insulting at this stage. Especially from a band named after a slang term for jizz. Really do not enjoy Vedder's vocals too. Same staggeringly white North American jock rock world as Creed and The Calling.

Uh

Awful

2/10

I am reminded of the "Bowling for Soup" line - "Her CD changer's full of singers that are mad at their dad". There are some ok arrangements on here, some good dynamics, but the voice grinds my gears. The songs mostly outstay their welcome and are overblown, too Obviously I am in the minority here, but from this seat, one star.

The last awkward breath of the glam rock and roll and aged kickoff of more grunge-y sound that lacks any sort of exciting edge to it in either vocal performances or melody structures to not make you feel completely embarrassed for listening to it. Didn't finish it, aggrivating and exhausting listen in spite of some actual talented guitar work here. If it had like a tenth of the personality some of the significantly better bands that came after it had then maybe it would be at least passable, but as it is I don't want to hear this album ever again.

shite

I couldn't do it to myself sorry

The guy that used to hit me listened to this….

No me gusta ni un poco, dos temas pude escuchar

One of the most overrated albums of all time. Many heavy-handed riffs and even more heavy-handed guitar solos. Many useless dirges inside a lot of pointless compositions. Most of the chord progressions in those songs are lazy and predictable, and if Eddie Vedder's public persona suggests he is a good guy, generally speaking, his vocals are unfortunately displaying a lot of hackneyed inflexions. Worse, the sound of this album has aged like milk: the drums have that awful echoey sound only enhancing their one-trick poney nature, the guitar sound as if they were recorded in a bathroom, all wet and with no edge to them, and the mix is terrible -- with Eddie's vocals bobbing up and down the surface for no discernible reason. That such a record manages to almost reach a 4/5 global score on this app defies my imagination defies my imagination. What is wrong with you people? Why can't you hear what's so middle-of-the-road in those songs, and what's so predictable in those tracks? But maybe what I find appalling here are the very virtues nostalgic gen-x listeners find endearing. Waiting to hear what millenials and gen-z music fans have to say about this record. As of now, I haven't heard a single one of them mention it anyway. 1/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums" 6/10 for more general purposes (5 for musical competency and commercial success + 1 for the actual artistic flair). Number of albums left to review: 148 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 367 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 216 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 273 (including this one)

Absolutely didn’t listen to it.

À partir de 1991, l'étiquette grunge va coller à la peau de nombreux groupes comme Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine et bien entendu Pearl Jam. Concernant Pearl Jam et je vais être clair, au début des années 90, j'étais plus punk que metal donc Nirvana m'a tout de suite beaucoup plus intéressé et j'ai délaissé les autres groupes. Je découvre donc et avec 30 ans de retard, le 1er album de Pearl Jam et je suis, j'avoue déconcerté. Car "Ten", pour ma part fut une expérience schizophrénique qui me pousse à lui attribuer la note la plus sévère, et malgré une reconnaissance intellectuelle de ses qualités. Car si ma tête peut concevoir la puissance de l'oeuvre, mes oreilles, elles, la rejettent en bloc. Soyons clairs d'emblée : je ne nie pas l'évidence. Cet album est une collection de morceaux formidablement bien écrits, dotés d'une énergie brute et d'une efficacité redoutable. Comment ne pas sentir le frisson sur l'introduction de "Once", l'appel à la révolte adolescent de "Jeremy" ou la puissance fédératrice de "Alive" ? Ces chansons sont des monstres de composition, des vagues d'émotions portées par la voix habitée d'un Eddie Vedder au charisme vocal indéniable. On sent le feu, la rage, la tristesse. On perçoit la virtuosité des musiciens, la solidité de la section rythmique et, surtout, les riffs et les soli de guitare de Mike McCready, qui transpirent une maîtrise quasi insolente. Chaque morceau est une cathédrale sonore, bâtie pour traverser le temps et remplir les stades. Et c'est précisément là que le bât blesse, et que mon plaisir s'est transformé en supplice. Car derrière le vernis "alternatif" et l'étiquette "grunge" de Seattle, se cache une production et une esthétique sonore qui heurtent de plein fouet tout ce que je déprécie en musique. Le son de "Ten" n'est pas celui de la crasse et de l'urgence punk. C'est un son massif, gonflé aux stéroïdes, qui puise ses racines directement dans le hard rock le plus emphatique des années 70. Chaque coup de cymbale résonne avec une réverbération de cathédrale, chaque solo de guitare s'étire dans une démonstration de virtuosité grandiloquente, chaque ligne de basse semble vouloir faire trembler les fondations du monde. C'est trop propre, trop ample, trop... metal. L'ombre qui plane sur tout le disque, et qui a achevé de me faire détester l'expérience, est celle de Led Zeppelin. Cette filiation, souvent revendiquée par les admirateurs du groupe comme une qualité, est pour moi le péché originel. J'ai entendu dans "Ten" non pas la relève de Nirvana ou de Mudhoney, mais l'héritier direct de ce rock bluesy, lourd et pompeux que je ne supporte pas. Les envolées lyriques de Vedder rappellent la démesure d'un Plant ; les soli pentatoniques à rallonge de McCready évoquent un Page qui aurait troqué son pantalon à pattes d'éléphant pour un bermuda de surfeur. Cette lourdeur, cette tendance à privilégier l'épique sur le viscéral, est un repoussoir absolu. L'écoute est devenue une lutte, où chaque riff puissant était immédiatement saboté à mes oreilles par une production trop démonstrative. Alors oui, paradoxalement, j'ai pris un certain plaisir à disséquer ce disque. Un plaisir quasi masochiste, celui de comprendre pourquoi une oeuvre si unanimement saluée pouvait me provoquer un tel rejet épidermique. C'est l'étrange sensation d'admirer la mécanique d'une voiture de sport tout en détestant sa couleur criarde et le bruit assourdissant de son moteur. J'ai reconnu le talent, mais j'ai détesté le résultat. Au final, cette écoute fut une expérience unique, dans le sens où elle restera unique. Je n'y retournerai pas. On me dit que "Vitalogy" est leur véritable chef-d'oeuvre, plus expérimental, plus brut. Peut-être. Mais le son de "Ten" a été si rédhibitoire qu'il a éteint toute curiosité. La porte s'est ouverte sur l'univers de Pearl Jam, j'ai jeté un oeil à l'intérieur, et j'ai vu un temple érigé à la gloire d'un son que je fuis. Trop, c'est trop. Je préfère refermer la parenthèse et laisser ce monument à ceux qui savent l'apprécier. Pour moi, ce fut une rencontre manquée, un dialogue de sourds entre une musique puissante et une oreille inflexible.

Nope. Didn’t start appreciating Pearl Jam.

Sucks

no

i just really don't like pearl jam

I hated this alum when it was released. I tried to give it a fair shake now, years later, but my opinion is largely the same. Possibly the worst representation of the Seattle scene at the time. There are a few good riffs throughout but largely this is watered down radio rock; a safe and accessible way for the major labels to play in an underground sandbox without getting hurt. Can't finish this out without touching on the fact the Vedder's vocals are god awful; floating somewhere between unintentional comedy and unlistenable garble. Hard to believe half this band was in Green River.

Låter jätte platt o Eddie Vedders röst är olidlig. Hade fått en tvåa om de inte satt en tio minuter lång dirge i slutet

pearl jam is NOT for me, i feel like im having a stroke EVEN FLOOOOOOOOOOOW [incoherent gibberish]

that was certainly noise

Not for me.

I hate pearljam with a passion

Pearl Jam suuuuckshyaawww

Don’t like the vibe :(

Rock for elderly people, not my drug of choice. OK music but a bit boring. The best song is probably ocean that gives some free spirit, howling to the moon by a bonfire vibes.

Meh. The songs sound so much the same that the impact them is lost without the music videos.

very much not for me. i skip individual songs by pearl jam all the time, i cannot believe i made it through this whole album

This band is lame and I got bored.

Sounds like my childhood, dislike it as much now as then.

Too much 90s rock, didn’t like

Notes says this could be categorizes as "hard rock" or maybe "grunge"? Either way I'm not too familiar with it and I can't say it was really my taste. Would have to be hard pressed to listen again

Grunge was a mistake

Can’t do it. Not feeling vocals or sound.

Dull

pearl jam was not my jam

One outta Ten

Dear God, no. I haven't really listened to a Pearl Jam song since I was in high school. Re-listening to this album really shows why. I hate his "singing" voice, the wild changes in tempo and pitch, it's just a combination paired in hell. The lyrics that he sings are just as boring/saying nothing, but the delivery makes it seem like there should be something there. This isn't even their worst album, but it's still a slog to get through.

Oh my god. This is so insanely cheesy and bad. I felt like I was Scott Aukerman on the "Analyze Phish" podcast, with every song starting with me being open minded to it, and the opening instrumentation, thinking "Okay, I can try to get in to this..." and then as soon as the vocals start it's immediately "Nope, okay, what the fuck is this? Seriously?" Absolutely wild to me that this is a whole bunch of people's favorite band. My god...

I just can't do pearl jam, if I could give no stars I would.

The biggest problem I have with Pearl Jam is Eddie Vedder's voice. I think I'd potentially like the music more if the vocals didn't distract me so much, but as it stands, most of the album just made me slightly annoyed. Up until now, I haven't ever given an album a one-star rating since most of the albums I haven't liked have just not made me feel any type of way, but this one was a little hard to get through. Even Flow is maybe the only song I quite like.

Bailed after 3 songs. Utter drivel.

What a bloody awful racket.

physically couldn’t listen to this soz not my vibe at all

nä du.

Probably just not my jam. I listened to it straight without actually hearing it.

I’ve never liked Pearl Jam and this album didn’t change my mind

I don't like it.

Its still no better than it was in 1991

pearl jam is boring

Oh what a waste of time. Uninspired Jam tunes, hated it. Don‘t expect to find a pearl.

Typical peral jam, trash

Few good sounds nothing stands out