Reviews (page 4 of 15)
Fuck it, 5 Stars. Excellent grunge with so much nostalgia factor, some of Pearl Jam's biggest hits, a a wide range songs from hype to somber, ties to Rock Band 2, an iconic album cover (imo), the clip in my head of Jesus skateboarding through the sky with Even Flow playing, and how hard Black hits.
Damn! You just keep giving me gold here! Haha
I obsessed over this album when it came out. I wore out multiple copies on tape before I managed to get a cd player. I must have listened to it hundreds of times. Too many times maybe as I put it down for decades, with zero desire to revisit it. It was done. It was kind of nice to have a forced opportunity to revisit this absolute classic gem. More polished and safe than contemporaries of their time and drawing heavily from a blues based, classic rock cannon produced an album for the ages and questionably the defining album of the grunge era. I may have to give it another spin. Maybe in my room with the lights out, minus a lava lamp and the ember of burning incense. Make my 14yo self proud.
Thank you Pearl Jam for exposing us to grunge.
One of my favorite albums of all time front to back
A fantastic album! I really loved this band and was fascinated by Eddie Vedder's vocals, their lyrics and their sound. I enjoyed listening to them so much that they became my favourites and I put aside a lot of the stuff I was listening to at the time (80s and mostly mainstream pop and electronic bands at the time). It reshaped my taste, opened my mind to other genres and I believe it partly brought me to the music listener I am today. The singles here are all spectacular, from the first to the last, real bangers <3 10/10
This album is one of my personal favorites. In my opinion it’s one of the greatest debuts of all time. The tracklist from Once to Porch is one of the greatest runs in history for me. While it does fall off a little bit after porch, that just means the tracks are less amazing than the previous ones. My one gripe about the album is the mix, however, I just listen to the Brendan O Brien mix if I want to listen to this album.
Sing along everybody
Still brilliant and one of my favourite albums of all time
One of my all time favorites
I’m a fan of Pearl Jam. I knew a decent amount of these songs. Great album
So many amazing, classic 90s songs. More importantly, I enjoy listening to the whole album.
One of the best albums ever
Amazing!!!!
5/5
Lots of hits - classing Pearl Jam sound
This has been one of my top 20 albums of all time for the last 29 years and will continue to be forever. Perfect grunge record no notes
AAYYYYEEYEYYE IIIIII I MMM SSTILL ALLICEE OOOOOOO YEAH IIIII OOOO IM STILL ALLLIVEE YEYEYAYWEUUWUAUEAU GEETAR SOLOOOO 10/10 probably my most listened to album oat
You ever listen to an album 5 times in a day and not get sick of it (teacher I share a classroom with CANNOT relate) Pearl Jam is the best grunge band eat my shorts
That was just great
A classic. The 1st half of the album is practically a greatest hits, and the 2nd half is super underrated. The song Porch especially. Ten might not be as "heavy" as the other albums from the big 4 of grunge but I feel the term grunge refers more to a vibe/look than the actual music.
Nostalgia? Probably. I can still smell the campfires, Icehouse beers, and schwag weed when I listen to this. It smoked in the 90s and hasn't aged a day since. Sally, the same can't be said for me, but whatever. Still a great album.
Lovely. Non relatable.
My desert island disc. I turned 21 the year this came out. Absolutely blew me away from those first bits of syncopation and Ament's fretless bass to the coda at the end. There's not a song on this where I don't recognize every note. Just a perfect hard rock album from start to finish. I can't tell you how many miles I drove with this as a soundtrack -- me screaming the lyrics out into the night. Gossard and McReady are magicians -- and Eddie was the frontman we never knew we needed. This album got me through a lot. I can't be objective. It's a part of me.
This album is an old favorite of mine from my early high school days. Returning to it several decades later, 'Ten' holds up surprisingly well, especially the first half, which is bolstered by a strong opener ("Once") and a series of great singles. I enjoyed listening to this again so much, I immediately had to hear it again. Standout tracks: Once, Porch, Garden
I did not expect to like this so much. I was really bopping.
Iconic love her. Childhood rock album
I don't have to listen to this one again to give a 5/5 but I will be anyway. Banger after banger. Classics. A band still going to this day and still putting out great music. A tent pole band and album since at least high school.
I missed this album when it was released (apart from what was on the radio). So no real emotional attachment to it. But wow. So great to be able to discover it now
Sounds like Creed. Pretty lit.
One of the best albums of the early 90's! Each song is a banger. Love, love, love this album!!!!!
Loved this when it came out... still love it. Jeremy - shocking to me at the time - seems to have foretold the rise of school violence/shootings.
All time favorite!
Great album I never listened to all the way through, so glad I did. Awesome statement for rise of grunge.
My little grunge heart grew three sizes when I saw this as my next generated album. One of the most perfect albums of all time. There are no bad songs on this.
Classic
david foster wallace
I wore this CD out. I was and still am a big Pearl Jam fan. This album takes you on such an incredible journey. Grunge had such a huge impact on my listening preferences. Fantastic album.
Banger.
Wow - to follow on from yesterday's review, this is also in the top three albums of 1991. I'm really not a 'grunge' person but this is the best I've heard of it. The first minute is one of my favourite album openings, and 'Black' is one of the best tracks I've ever heard.
There are very few albums I've listened to as much as this one, to the extent that it's lost some freshness but cemented a place in my musical soul. Hugely important to me.
10 of 10
Once
Best grunge album of all time (and yes, that does include Nevermind). Jeremy and Black are all-time greats and deeper cuts like Once and Why Go would be hits for a lesser band. The biggest issue is this album set the bar way too high as I've given up listening to other Pearl Jam albums and just mainly stick to this one.
I’ve never considered myself much of a Pearl Jam fan but I don’t think I’ve ever listened to a full album before, either. Honestly, this went fuckin insane
My memory of this album, which I owned as a child, was that tracks 1-6 are a surefire 5-star side A, and side B is forgettable. But lemme tell you, once the chorus hit on Garden, I knew this was getting rounded up from the 4.5 it probably is. Oh, and Release is great too! Side B is fine! It may not have Even Flow, Alive, Black, and Jeremy, but who does?
Am I rating this a 5 because it's good, or because I'm so familiar with it that the songs automatically sound good? There's lots of things I don't really like about the album. PJ were always the most trad-rock of the grunge crew and never hit me the same way Soundgarden or AIC did. The warbly bass tone on songs like Oceans just doesn't work for me, and I find some of the guitar solos a bit empty. And yet. At least half the songs are undeniable classics. The others are all 'pretty good'. Lyrics mostly stand up, and Vedder has an absolutely perfect 'classic rock' voice. I might have issues with this particular style of music, but I don't think it's ever been done better.
The soundtrack of my final high school years. My best friend and I wore out at least 4 copies of this on cassette.
Amazing from start to finish. One of the greatest rock albums ever.
This pacing of this album is nearly perfect. This is my favorite album of theirs because it is the one album of theirs was not afraid to use reverb. I loved that sound. The importance of this album is that it accelerated the mainstream acceptance of the alternative rock genre through the rest of the decade, particularly here in the United States and particularly after Kurt Cobain's death. Trying to imagine how mind blowing the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour was with openers Pearl Jam (supporting TEN) and Nirvana (supporting NEVERMIND) must have been in the Fall of 1991. People can quibble about which grunge albums belong on this list, but this album and Nirvana's NEVERMIND are the only two absolute unquestioned must haves.
I drifted from PJ over the years, but man this first one is great.
Favourite songs: Black, Alive, Jeremy
Favourite songs - Even Flow, Alive, Jeremy
To me, this is the quintessential grunge album. I find Ten to be musically more complex and emotionally deeper than albums by Nirvana and Soundgarden. While not a concept album, per se, it always takes me on a cathartic journey and I feel better for having listened to it. Strange though that with such a prolific career and numerous albums, their debut should hold up as the best of their work.
## In-Depth Review of Pearl Jam’s *Ten* Pearl Jam’s *Ten* (1991) is a cornerstone of the grunge movement and a defining album of the early 1990s. Its impact extends far beyond its era, resonating with listeners through its raw emotion, powerful musicianship, and unflinching exploration of personal and societal struggles. Below is a comprehensive review focusing on the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, along with a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** Eddie Vedder’s lyrics on *Ten* are deeply personal, introspective, and often dark. The album delves into themes of loss, love, isolation, trauma, and existential angst[1][2][7]. Vedder’s storytelling is vivid and emotionally charged, frequently drawing from his own experiences and observations of the world. - **"Alive"**: The opener of the so-called “Mamasan Trilogy,” this track tells a story of family secrets and survival, blending autobiographical elements with universal questions of identity and resilience[2][7]. - **"Jeremy"**: Inspired by a real-life tragedy, this song addresses bullying, alienation, and violence in schools, delivered with haunting imagery and a climactic chorus that underscores the desperation of its protagonist[2][7]. - **"Black"**: A poignant meditation on lost love and longing, its poetic lyrics evoke a sense of heartbreak without resorting to cliché[2][3]. - **"Even Flow"**: Focuses on homelessness, painting a vivid portrait of a man struggling to survive on the streets, reflecting Vedder’s empathy for society’s marginalized[7]. - **"Why Go"**: Critiques the psychiatric system and societal indifference, told through the story of a young woman institutionalized against her will[7]. Throughout the album, Vedder’s delivery is as important as the words themselves-his voice is raw, urgent, and capable of shifting from a whisper to a roar, amplifying the emotional weight of each song[1][3]. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Ten* is a fusion of grunge, classic rock, punk, and hard rock influences[2][5][7]. The album is defined by its dynamic interplay between guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready, Jeff Ament’s melodic bass, and Dave Krusen’s solid drumming. The arrangements are both accessible and sophisticated, balancing anthemic choruses with intricate instrumental passages. - **Guitar Work**: McCready’s solos are heavily influenced by classic rock and blues, adding melodic flair and emotional depth to tracks like "Alive" and "Black"[5]. Gossard’s rhythm guitar provides a gritty, driving foundation, especially prominent on "Even Flow" and "Porch." - **Bass and Drums**: Ament’s bass lines are melodic and often serve as a counterpoint to the guitars, while Krusen’s drumming, though understated, anchors the band’s sound and adapts to the album’s varied moods[5]. - **Vocals**: Vedder’s baritone is instantly recognizable, delivering both aggression and vulnerability. His phrasing and dynamic range are key to the album’s emotional impact[3][5]. - **Songwriting**: The album’s structure is front-loaded with its most iconic tracks, but even the deeper cuts like "Oceans," "Garden," and "Release" showcase the band’s range and ability to create atmosphere[3]. --- ## **Production** *Ten* was produced by Rick Parashar at London Bridge Studio in Seattle. The production is polished yet manages to capture the band’s raw energy and live chemistry[2][5]. Parashar’s approach was to enhance the band’s sound without overproducing, resulting in an album that feels both immediate and expansive. - **Sound Quality**: The album is noted for its clarity and warmth, with each instrument given space to breathe[3][4]. The mix highlights the interplay between the guitars and Vedder’s vocals, creating a lush sonic landscape. - **Balance**: While the production is more refined than some of Pearl Jam’s later work, it maintains enough grit to avoid sounding sterile. However, some critics argue that the polish comes at the expense of the rawness associated with grunge, making the album sound more mainstream than its contemporaries[4][6]. - **Legacy Edition**: Later remixes and remasters have attempted to restore some of the original edge, but the album’s initial production remains a defining aspect of its sound[6]. --- ## **Themes** Thematically, *Ten* is an exploration of pain, alienation, and the search for meaning in a troubled world. It reflects the disillusionment of Generation X, grappling with personal demons and societal dysfunction. - **Alienation and Identity**: Tracks like "Alive" and "Black" explore the struggle to find oneself amidst chaos and loss[2][7]. - **Societal Critique**: "Jeremy" and "Why Go" address issues of violence, mental health, and institutional failure, giving voice to those often ignored or misunderstood[7]. - **Hope and Resilience**: Despite its often bleak subject matter, the album is not nihilistic. Songs like "Release" and "Alive" ultimately suggest the possibility of survival and redemption[2]. --- ## **Influence and Legacy** *Ten* is one of the most influential albums of the 1990s, shaping the sound of grunge and alternative rock for years to come[2][5][7]. It propelled Pearl Jam to international stardom, selling over 13 million copies in the U.S. and over 20 million worldwide[5]. Its impact can be seen in the countless bands that tried to emulate its sound, for better or worse[6]. - **Cultural Impact**: The album became a touchstone for a generation, capturing the angst and uncertainty of the early ’90s[2][5]. Its success helped bring alternative rock into the mainstream and paved the way for other Seattle bands. - **Critical Acclaim**: *Ten* is frequently cited among the greatest albums of all time, appearing on numerous “best of” lists and earning a spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time[1]. - **Enduring Appeal**: Tracks like "Alive," "Even Flow," and "Jeremy" remain staples of rock radio and live performances, continuing to resonate with new listeners decades after their release[5]. However, the album’s influence is a double-edged sword. Its success spawned a wave of imitators, leading to a glut of derivative post-grunge acts that diluted the genre’s original spirit[6]. --- ## **Pros and Cons** | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Profound, emotionally resonant lyrics that tackle serious themes[1][2][7] | Some tracks have been overplayed, losing impact for longtime listeners[4] | | Powerful, memorable guitar work and strong musicianship throughout[3][5] | Production is polished, which may lack the raw edge of live performances or later grunge releases[4][6] | | Eddie Vedder’s distinctive and passionate vocal delivery[3][5] | The second half of the album is less impactful compared to the front-loaded hits, leading to an unbalanced feel[3][6] | | Cohesive blend of grunge, classic rock, and punk influences[2][7] | The album’s mainstream appeal and influence led to a wave of less inspired imitators, affecting its legacy[6] | | Timeless anthems ("Alive," "Even Flow," "Jeremy," "Black") that remain relevant | Some critics find the album plays it safe and lacks the adventurous spirit of later Pearl Jam works[4] | | Enduring cultural and musical influence, shaping the sound of a generation[2][5] | | --- ## **Conclusion** Pearl Jam’s *Ten* is a masterclass in emotional honesty, musical craftsmanship, and cultural relevance. Its songs are as powerful today as they were upon release, thanks to Vedder’s searing lyrics, the band’s dynamic performances, and Rick Parashar’s balanced production. The album’s influence is both a testament to its greatness and a source of controversy, given the wave of imitators it inspired. While some may critique its polish or the overexposure of its biggest hits, *Ten* remains an essential listen-a touchstone for anyone interested in the evolution of rock music and the enduring power of art to confront pain and inspire hope.
Classic classic album. So good. Every song is great. I have very specific memories listening to this album when I was younger. It brought back good memories. I don't think Pearl Jam was ever really able to recreate this sound and dynamics of this album in future releases. I don't think they're a one album wonder by any means, but I don't think they ever made anything like this again.
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
Fantastic debut album.
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."
Siinä sai flannellipaidan liepeet kyytiä, kun kuultiin repullinen hittejä siltä toiseksi suositummalta grunge bändiltä. Me likey! Vedderin laulanta myös 🤌🏻
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.
On my 500th listen, this album is still as exceptional, perfect and important as it was back in 1991.
This album is 100 per cent great, front-to-back, no track skipping. Classic all-rounder. My only question is if the re-mix version (less reverb) is better than the original (waaay more reverb).
имба.
Great album some easy grunge classics in there. Last song is a two parter. Gives a nostalgic vibe
Greats singles on this album and even better b sides
For some reason Pearl Jam has an outsized space in my pop culture brain. But honestly I think this might be their only good album. I like what they stand for and I like Eddie Vedder. I’ve never really been able to listen to any other album than this one. That said, I’ve listened to this album A LOT. A seminal piece of my childhood. And sure, if grunge isn’t your thing, then this album isn’t your thing. But I love it.
Such good memories. It’s easy to forget how much everything changed in 91/92 when Seattle hit the mainstream, how different this was from what was being played on the radio. This was an easy 5 for me, it was in constant rotation back in 91/92
Highlight: Jeremy
Already have it in my collection
Oh My God
I own this album and loved it for years! The odd part is I listened yesterday before I joined this!
5.5 - Legendary
I’m so biased, but this is such a classic. It should be up in a museum. No wonder every rock vocalist wanted to be Eddie Vedder for a decade after this! Ten gets a Ten out of Ten.
Ja det är ju kanske det mest uppenbara 5:an. Ett av världens bästa album genom tiderna. Antagligen nummer 1. Det är riktigt bra musik. Allt är perfekt. Musiken är melodisk, den är hård, mjuk och varierad. Jämfört med tex the Hives, som tuggar på på samma sätt utan utsvävningar (vilket förstås kan vara något man diggar i sig) så är detta nästan en symfoni. Magi.
Det finns femmor och så finns det femmor. Den här hör till den senare kategorin. Topp tre bästa album som någonsin gjorts.
I won't find any additional words to all the praise and acclamations made so many times by so many people. Great album, great music, one of the big ones.
Cum sauce. 9/10
This is such a good album and a quintessential 90s, and grunge album. I can't believe this is their debut. I think so many bands have been inspired by this album and have tried to copy its sound but no one has come close. There are so many great songs on this one. I think the production is maybe a bit dated but overall it's so solid.
This freaking album. One of my all time favorites. I got this one in 8th Grade and was obsessed with it. Its super unique. The vocals, the lyrics, the really heavy drums, overly loud bass and then just insane guitar work. Its so well produced and mixed for 1991. I know Nirvana is often credited as "grunge" but it really feels more like hardcore and punk to me. This, however, feels like true grunge. This is its own thing entirely. The heavy minor melodies and low vocals. It has elements of soul and blues, but also I'm hearing Black Sabbath and Black Flag at the same time. I love every song on this record. Alive, Jeremy, Black, Even Flow, Release, Why Go and Once are all my favs. Though, Alive and Black are the obvious winners of the record. This record also just has so much energy. Its almost relentless in what its putting out. I love it. So grateful for this one.
I was longing for this to appear on this list and after 274 albums here it lies before me. A masterpiece of an album that I had on repeat from the age of 13 to 15 and has been on regular rotation ever since.
All the hits but also some good tracks I didn’t know so well, I’ve always kinda liked vedders silly voice plus the band can definitely rip! The guitar solo at the end of alive is actually one of my all time favorites. Top 3 Black, Porch, Alive
Ten out of 5
As good as ever
Love Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is undeniably a powerhouse of the 90s rock scene, Ten has to be up there for one of the best debut albums! I love a bit of Pearl Jam and really enjoyed seeing them live for the first time a few months ago on their Dark Matter tour in Melbourne - an unforgettable experience! I think even after all these years I'm still a little bit in love with Eddie Vedder. This isn't my favourite album of theirs and probably closer to a 4.5, so I'll just quickly mention Vs. with Crazy Mary as my favourite album/track because we sadly only get 1 Pearl Jam album in the 1001 list. Fave track on this album is Black (I wish they'd played it live!) I know someday you'll have a beautiful life I know you'll be a star - In somebody else's sky But why, why can't it be mine (always gives me shivers)
5/5. I can rate this without listening. Amazing album.
One of the greatest albums of the 90s
10/10, it's about absolute masterpiece. Adult Alex would choose this over Nevermind, teenage Alex would go the other way.
No review here. Just 5*s
Easily one of the greatest albums ever. 5-stars
grunge/rock classic
10/10. Total grunge awesomeness. This album is so cool! I don't really know what more to add right now.
This is a joke, right?
Only great songs.
10/10 Generation-defining album. Intense debut album blending grunge with classic rock. Thirty years later, it still sounds fresh.
Finally I get an epic grunge masterpiece from this generator. The funny thing is, growing up I was a huge Soundgarden and Alice in Chains fan, and Nirvana to a lesser extent, but only really knew the Pearl Jam singles. I've gotten more into the latter in the years since, though. Four of these are genre defining, and for me Even Flow and Alive are transcendent grunge classics. Jeremy and Black are merely excellent. But the album as a whole is not just the four singles. There isn't a dud here--the other six tracks are slept on for sure but still good. Porch and Garden are really growing on me over the years, for example. Release is a great kicker song.
i already know it's gonna be great yippee
A classic, obviously. This album is so influential it's almost overwhelming to listen to. Going back and hearing the deep cuts shows that this band was not only commercially viable, but that they were one of the leaders of the grunge movement. “Oceans” and “Porch” are classics.
This is one of the best and most complete albums that came from the early grunge scene. In my opinion, it's at least 75% thanks to Eddie Vedder. He elevates every song on this album, making quite boring tracks instrumentally, like Alive, into a world famous hits. Black and Jeremy have such an emotional package, that it's hard to listen to it twice. The album itself slightly dips in quality on side b, but the number of hits from the first side of LP make it one of my favourite rock album ever.
Late summer 1991: lying around the house sometime at night watching MTV when they make a big deal of premiering a video from this new band (those of that era can also corroborate it was kind of an exciting thing) - and then they cut to black and white and reveal an actual live performance video and the whole thing coalesces into this big ending and I'm like what the hell *was* that? Followup: taking a bus downtown to Tower Records (RIP) to buy the CD (along with Black Sabbath's debut - I remember where I bought most of my albums but not where I put my winter gloves last night) and played the hell out of it all winter. TL;DR: great/stunning/unique debut with haunting lyrics that matched the more-complex/creative-than-it-seemed-on-the-surface music. The album always felt too reverb-heavy even for the time (and I just found out there's a remix...I'm curious) and it tends to drag just a bit at the end (really just the song "Deep" which is the only potential skip for me), not enough to knock it down tho. Loved their next album yet not much after that but this still has a big place in my memory. Don't tell me Nirvana was the "poster band for GenX" because this band lapped them 10x over with this release alone (of course I know why - Eddie Vedder didn't off himself. Good on him - he eventually got to see his Cubs win the Series). I don't know if life was truly better in 1991 (although....) but this album is a guaranteed time machine every time I listen to it and was formative for my next new wave of music. 9/10 5 stars.
-Once is a good intro, nice guitar riffs but that's all it is. -Even Flow into Alive and Why Go are moody and hook your attention immediately with the lyrics, but you stay for the Guitar solos. -In the song 'Black' it sounds like Randy Marsh is singing sometimes, not complaining either. -Jeremy is my favorite song on the Album, Alongside Even Flow. Not a hot take, but it is what it is, these songs clearly stick out among the rest. -Oceans is like a movie romance, very cool and cinematic track. -Porch has great repeatability, love the energy and guitar solo, of course. -Garden is just so damn cool, the whole track is amazing -Deep can hit different depending on how you are feeling, this could resonate to your core or seem like too much. -Release sends the album out in a emotional pit of despair, much like the feeling of listening to The Doors 'The End' its long but it needs to be to extend these large musical sections. I dig it, very cool song.
The typical album that’s good from the beginning to the end.
classsssic
Even the album knows it's a Ten.
The odd low light but doesn't stop it being a classic of the grunge era 5*
This is one of those great debuts. From Alive to Black all songs are grunge classics. I’m older now but Jeremy reminds me of my school mate who got shot at his home right after his high school graduation.
Iconic cover, iconic album, iconic band + I think I finally understood some of the words coming out of Eddie Vedder's mouth.
You either think this is the greatest grunge album of all time or you’re wrong.
Best of the 1001 albums! (In my opinion)
One of those that make my music taste
10/10
Maybe the lyrics are entirely too melodramatic, and we cannot forgive Eddie Vedder for the innumerable vocal clones, but this album still stands up.
The debut album of one of my favourite bands. Some great songs on this one.
Exceptional
Best grunge band. Best Pearl Jam album. I don’t think there are bad tracks here.
Excellent. Never got round to listening to it before.
A fine piece of work, to think it’s their 1st is impressive. I don’t find any of these tracks missable. Powerful stuff, and went on to be massive but in my opinion still remained good & grounded despite being commercially mainstream successful
Son, she said, have I got a little story for you What you thought was your daddy was nothin' but a... While you were sittin' home alone at age thirteen Your real daddy was dyin', sorry you didn't see him, but I'm glad we talked... Oh I, oh, I'm still alive Hey, I, I, oh, I'm still alive Hey I, oh, I'm still alive Hey...oh...
🔥🔥🔥🔥
5 sterne
An astonishingly powerful debut boasting one leviathan grunge staple after another. The pick of albums from the Seattle movement, Ten remains untouchable.
Classic - they butchered Black in the studio. Still good though.
10/10
I really think this album has aged better than most 90s classics. Still such a great listen.
Excellent!
Helped launch a genre. Great album.
With a mix of enough hits that hold up (Black, Alive, Even Flow) and a few somewhat unheralded deep cuts (Ocean, Garden, Release), Ten is one absolutely essential rock record. The feel of this record, though moments range from gentle to agro, can be a tad samey as the runtime goes on. However, there’s grit and substance and guitar-driven musicality from top to bottom here. 9/10
It’s been a long ass time since I’ve listened to this. In college, you could hear this on every floor of the dorms. Everyone had a copy, or a copy of a copy. Literally, everyone. It’s 1992 on vinyl.
A grunge classic
starke songs mitreißend zeitlos wirksam
Love it. Takes me back to my teens!
8/10 fav Pearl Jam album
One of the best
I've loved Eddie Vedder's voice since first hearing "Alive", and later "Into The Wild". His voice conveys pure, raw emotion, making it perfect for storytelling.
😊
One of my favorite albums. 5/5
yall this album is growing on me. i loved it
Holds up after all this time!
this is a goated one from me from my teenage years. i think it's closer to a 9 than a 10 if i'm speaking objectively but i love this album full heartedly so
I really enjoyed this album. I can’t give it anything but a 5, it was just great.
Really enjoyed it which is crazy for me and a rock album. The guitar and his voice go so well together. Great mixing.
Is this what peak grunge sounds like? Yes, yes it is. By the way, insane that freaking 'Yellow Ledbetter' didn't make the final cut of the album.
Best in genre
In fairness this is an all time favourite of mine. I have listened to this too many times to count. I’ve owned it on tape. I’ve owned it on CD. I own it on vinyl. I think it was an early record in my life that thought me about passion and emotion in music. I probably use this as a subconscious benchmark against which I measure all other record’s abilities to portray emotion.
Not all of my favorite PJ songs are on Ten, but every song on Ten is one of my favorite PJ songs.
This is the only great Pearl Jam album. But damn it’s a masterpiece. Every song is a total banger despite hundreds of listens over the years, it still hits.
Bom álbum de grunge! Já tinha ouvido antes, e adoro Pearl Jam, mas ouvi novamente. Oceans sendo muito bom sempre. Mas gosto muito de Jeremy, Alive e Black
Even though I don't understand a single goddamn word Eddie Vedder sings, this album is essential to the grunge era, which is one of my favourite musical times. Amazing record, it absolutely deserves to be here! Important for grunge, important for music in general, and all around a perfect album.
Yep, this was solid great fun!
Kind of a revelation. When I first heard Pearl Jam I was a young teenager and found it too noisy for my taste. Later I heard the songs Eddie Vedder did for the film "Into the Wild" and associated them with the movie, which I thought sucked. Since then I haven't listened to anything Pearl Jam or Pearl Jam related, and had lumped them in to the same mental bucket I put Nirvana in (who I can confirm are not to my taste based on the albums that have come up for me on this project). So I went in to this expecting abrasive grunge, but instead got this melodic, emotive album with lyrics you can actually understand, epic guitar solos, and thumping energy. This shit absolutely rocks
own
11/27/24. I love the 90s grunge scene and I don’t know why I never listened to this in full until today, wow did I miss out. I now understand why it’s loved and each song is great, plus flows perfectly into the next song.
pound for pound, ten has got to be one of the best debut albums of all time. this is the album that defines pearl jam, and a lot of the grunge/alternative rock sound of the early 90s as well. there are genuinely moving songs on here with lyrical themes that touch on suicide, homelessness, and mental health--things that most other artists would distance themselves from. the band sounds great here and there's plenty of power behind vedder's vocals. i've listened to some of these tracks hundreds of times and they still hold up for me. and this is one of those bands i probably wouldn't know more than a song or two from had it not been for Rock Band and Guitar Hero. favorites: once, even flow, alive, black, jeremy, oceans
All time classic
It’s a 5. I’ll fight you if you say otherwise. Rocks.
One of the best Albums ever.
10/10, perfect debut album.
I know every bit of this album by heart. Crazy that this was their debut, it absolutely rocks from front to back. Eddie Vedder's vocal stylings might not be for everyone, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I’ve been listening to this album nearly my entire life. 10/10
A favourite
Found my original cassette to listen to last night. It's seen some shit over the years! Some of these albums you've never heard before, some are familiar but not your favorite. Some you can live without. Some resonate in your soul and feel like home. When Ten was released I wasn't immediately sold. Seattle sound was taking over. I wasn't ready to let go of what I was listening to initially. I don't remember how or why, but this ended up being played on repeat one summer in my van and it started a lifetime of loving this band. This spring I went to the screening of Dark Matter and listened to their new album in a conpletely dark movie theater🤷🏻♂️, so you can say I'm kinda a fan!
Ten is a masterpiece, just a monster of a debut album. In a time of pop, glam, and rap, Pearl Jam brought us back to rock. And rock we did.
Their best album by far. Second and third album were pretty good too. After that, I wasn’t such a fan anymore. They seem more concerned about Ticketmaster than making great music.
One of the best albums ever made.
Day313 - a seminal record in this young man’s life and 33 years later it’s still one of the best top to bottom albums ever
Voor mij natuurlijk onmogelijk om dit onbevooroordeeld te waarderen. Een luisterbeurt was dan ook eigenlijk niet nodig om deze review te schrijven. Maar potverdorie wat ben ik blij dat ik toch nog weer 2x Ten van-voor-tot-achter heb geluisterd. Pearl Jam is één van de eerste bands waar ik echt verliefd op werd en ben jarenlang toch wel beetje fanboy geweest van Eddie Vedder. Zijn stem is geweldig en de frustratie en boosheid die je hoort op Ten zijn zo ontzettend oprecht. Dat zie je ook terug in eerste live-opnames van PJ. Was ik altijd zo sick vind om te bedenken is dat Pearl Jam als band én Ten als album echt in zo'n korte tijd is ontstaan. Mother Love Bone verloor zanger Andrew Wood in 1990. Stone Gossard zoch mede-muzikanten, maakte wat demo's, die bereikten en tankstation-medewerker in San Diego, die bromt wat terug, paar dagen een kelder in Seattle in, nieuwe band is opgericht en het debuutalbum is klaar. En wat voor één. Alleen de positie van de drummer is in de jaren daarna aan verandering onderhevig geweest. Heel veel woorden hoef ik aan Ten verder niet vuil te maken. Het album raast echt voorbij. Ik vind het jeugdig en simpel, maar tegelijkertijd zijn de nummers best complex. Het is soms best hard, maar varieert met rustigere nummers. De gitaarsolo's zijn vet, maar niet te lang of over-the-top. En ik vind de ADHD-drumpartijen van Dave Krusen echt heerlijk (bijv. in Even Flow of de intro van Why Go). Echter voordat PJ bekend werd waren ze alweer twee drummers verder... Wat mij betreft dus alleen maar loftrompet voor Pearl Jam, Ten en Eddie Vedder. Ik zou toch nog wel eens heel graag naar een concert van ze willen... 10/10 Highlights Alive Black Jeremy Garden Release
Probably my favorite if not close second favorite of the grunge era. Vedder's vocals were prominent, and his gargled voice launched the entire subgenre of humor known as "misheard lyrics". But, the passion and energy he puts behind his voice throws its beyond a realm of comprehension. Musically, robust and great sounding emphatic. Production wise not overly compressed but also not wide open. Guitar tones are crunchy but so clean. And the drums sound HUGE.
Ten (с англ. — «Десять») — дебютный студийный альбом американской рок-группы Pearl Jam, вышедший в 1991 году. Успешным он стал только через год после выпуска, заняв в 1992 году второе место в хит-параде Billboard 200. Благодаря огромным продажам и не менее огромному влиянию на умы молодого поколения начала 1990-х годов этот альбом часто называют одним из самых влиятельных альбомов гранжа и одним из величайших рок-альбомов 90-х годов Ten является одним из наиболее успешных альбомов в истории альтернативного рока и гранжа, в частности. Только в США дебютный релиз разошёлся тиражом более чем в 13 000 000 копий. Мировой тираж альбома превысил 25 000 000 проданных дисков. По этому показателю среди всех рок-альбомов, выпущенных в 90-е, только одноимённый альбом группы Metallica превзошёл коммерческие достижения дебюта Pearl Jam. Журнал Metal Hammer включил Ten в список «200 лучших рок-альбомов всех времён». Журнал Rolling Stone включил запись в «500 величайших альбомов всех времён». Также пластинка попала в список «1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die» (русc. «1001 альбом, который нужно услышать»). Самые известные песни альбома — «Alive», «Even Flow», «Black», «Oceans» и «Jeremy» до сих пор (с 1992 года) находятся в чартах многих рок-радиостанций мира, причём австралийские и американские музыкальные чарты эти песни регулярно возглавляют. Песня «Brother», вошедшая на переиздание альбома Ten, в 2009 году в качестве сингла возглавила американские альтернативные и рок-чарты. Композиция была сочинена и записана в середине 1991 года. Ten непрерывно находился в Top 20 чарта Billboard 200 на протяжении почти трёх лет, с 1992 по 1995 годы.
This is just hands down a quality album. Ed Vedder’s vocals are excellent and the songs themselves have some real body to them. Love this album and have done for years.
Not a single bad song
Not really a fan of Pearl Jam, except for this album which I think is worthy of 5 stars or A-.
This is it. THIS is the album. This led me from the 80's into the 90's, and began my love of Eddie Vedder. I have heard this album so many times and still enjoy it straight through. No skips. Solid 5/5....it doesn't get Eddie Vedder than this.
One of my favorites, in constant rotation
Wow! All time great!!
I love pearl jam. Shut up, I do. To be fair I prefer sound garden but I love this too. Classic rock dressed as grunge. I know that Vedder’s voice rubs some the wrong way but it falls into the ‘sounds better than mine and people pay to hear mine’ category. The lyrics too might be heavy handed but they were young. We can’t all be Cobain. Listen to this. It changes the world. So deserves its place here. After a run of duds, I’m probably overreacting to this. But it’s a good and important album.
Great rock music, classic
A huge nostalgia hit seeing this one pop up as it was a big part of my teenage years. I know this album back to front and inside out.
Second best grunge record ever? Maybe with the best single songs.
This holds up. Big and intimate at the same time, it just rocks. Guitar noodling doesn't outlast its welcome like a lot of dinosaur rock and I'm a sucker for any singer who sounds like their voice went through a cement mixer. I know there are a lot of hits on here but just about anything coulda been a single. Sets the tone.
I come back to this album at least a couple of times a year. This is high school for me. I never became one of those folks to follows every album Pearl Jam does, but this album will always be great to me.
Know this one back to front. I love it, even if it's of a time
I seriously thought this was a greatest hits album. So much good shit even though I was never a huge Pearl Jam fan.
Best Album ever!!!
Fantastic. Just. Fantastic
Top 10 of all time - worn this out listening to it on repeat. Not a bad song on the album. Truly a revolution in sound.
grunkki... gurnge... grang...... omg niin hyvii muistoi <333 terv. 40 vuotias elämässä epäonnistunut. oon kuunnellut joka aamu albumia tällä sivustolla ja vihdoin minun lapsuudesta tämmöinen mahtava jalokivi!! terv. 38 vuotta täyttänyt sosiaalipummi... omg incredible music from incredible era of humanity, 90s everything great...pokemon... skateboarding out in the town.... terv. 43v veeti, maailman vanhin veeti-nimellä..... me ollaan nuoriso, me ollaan tulevaisuus... ja mitä kävi näille... kelasta haetaan kotipizzarahaa pariksi viikoksi, ei saatana niitä töitä jaksa etsiä ollaan vaan ja huristellaan... netti saatu naapurilta ilmaisexi että voidaan epäonnistuneesti piratoida spotify... noh mennään mainosten kanssa ei se haittaa.. hei mennääx rokkifestareil... hullu lineuppi: kalevakallet, piliukot, perttiina penikka ja blind channel.... mennääx mennääx pls... miten et ehi.... töitä... ei voi olla... tiistainako???? pitäisi olla 1 päivän työviikko.... kolme tuntia...... once
One of my favorite albums of all time, I own it on vinyl and have listened to it a lot. I have my favorite tracks of course, but even the ones I don't know as well are still amazing. So fucking good, I listened to it twice. Five stars, easily.
Easy five stars. The hits remain awesome and have aged well. And the songs between ("Once," "Why Go," "Oceans," etc.) remain terrific.
Solid album from start to finish.
Love this album. Actually listened to it the first time the week before it came up on the generator
Ahh, 90s grunge. Or is it 90s alternative? Whatever you call it, it rocks. I think the only thing that makes it "grunge" is the timeframe it was released and the flannel shirts. It's a great album and has aged really well. I think you could release this today; it's not dated at all.
Very decent album
I was too young to remember grunge from the early 1990s so it isn't nostalgia when it comes to this genre - but I have always liked this album very much which is so warm sounding and strong. It's a real album's album where the songs go together very well. Now that I've listened to it again, I can't really give it lower than a 5.
I won this CD from a radio call in show two weeks before it was released and loved it from the first listen. It's a brilliant debut and honestly the only Pearl Jam album I like in its entirety
10/10
I’ve always thought Pearl Jam is a bit overrated but it’s hard not to give this album a 5
This album is undoubtedly my favourite of all-time. I love each and every single track and the way the album flows from start to finish is absolutely perfect. I wondered how I would find it in comparison to listening to so many other albums but that only reinforces my opinion. Rating: 6/5
Another one of those albums from my formative years (along with ‘Nevermind’) that I listened to over and over again. An incredible debut. Pearl Jam went on to do great things and are one of the great rock bands of all time, but their sound was never this polished again. They lean heavily into classic 70s rock on ‘Ten’, but with lyrics that speak to the times this was released, and which are still relevant today. It’s just a timeless record that has not dated. A ‘yin’ to ‘Nevermind’s’ ‘yang’ that is as just as good and with a legacy just as enduring.
4.6
One of my favorite albums of all time. Absolutely classic.
Hell yeah! Cool album.
Always great. Solid.
Rarely does one think, this album was a key driver in a seismic shift in music that helped set the tone for the decade. With 4 solid bangers that were major milestones on the soundtrack of the early 90’s, it’s hard to think about going less than a full boat of stars here. The full album plays well also, finishing strong with “Release” ( at least the first half).
To quote the song “Jeremy”, this album continues to “hit me with a surprise left” every time I listen to it. While understandably linked to Nirvana due to release date proximity and being part of the Seattle sound blender, it really isn’t a grunge album at all. Just a really good hard rock sound that still presents new nugget discoveries each time listening. I always thought it was cool too that this time for the band also has some interesting Dallas/North Texas ties with drummers that joined them just after the Ten sessions: both Matt Chamberlain (New Bohemians) and Dave Abbruzzee (Course of Empire). 1991 was a major year for releases that also included Soundgarden, Dinosaur Jr. and Screaming Trees among so many others. In the end, seems kinda silly to even question Ten’s well-deserved top star rating given its influence and staying power.
I think you’ll rightfully, and righteously, find this on most people’s Mount Rushmore’s of 90’s records. It’s there for me, and a pretty simple 5.
Love this front to back. An absolute monster of an album with so many great songs. ‘91 was a great year for the rock music and this certainly helped define my musical tastes. Do yourself a favor and go check out Pearl Jam’s unplugged on the YouTubes.
In hindsight I feel a little silly for even considering anything less than a 5 for this album. Crazy that Ten and Nevermind were released within a month of each other. Ten doesn’t rise to the level of Nevermind but still an amazing accomplishment. All killer and no filler on this album. 4.5/5
In my top 5 albums, I still get goosebumps when those opening bars kick in - and Jeremy still gets me right in the feels. As close to perfection as you can get
One of my favourite albums of all time. Opening 3 tracks are outstanding, a slight lull with Why Go, but then side 1 closes with 2 incredibly powerful songs in Black and Jeremy. My only criticism would be that side 2 doesn't match up to side 1 in overall quality but when side 1 is that good.....
Nuff said
One of the best albums to come out of the grunge scene. Some of the tracks still hit hard (Jeremy, Black). It’s been on rotation in my collection for over 30 years now.
An all-time great album. Pearl Jam came out of the gates with Ten that is absolutely loaded front-to-back. The guitar, bass and drumwork are solid and varied throughout the album. Eddie's puts on one of the best vocal performances ever. The sound is the perfect level of grunge rock that really strikes a chord and resonates for me. I know a handful of other albums typically get the nod elsewhere (Nevermind), but this is the seminal album of the 90's for me. I pretty much love it from start to finish, and it doesn't hurt that my namesake is one of the highlights of an otherwise incredible album. 4.5 stars
Amazing lyrics. Release is an amazing song
Great album! Big fan
Clearly a classic
Rating: 9.5/10 One of the best rock debuts of all time. First half is legendary, it contains some of the best songs of the 90s. Second half falls off a bit but is still great. The choruses, singing, and riffs are fantastic throughout. Loved the warm guitar tones and production. Favorite songs: pretty much all of them. Least favorite song: Deep.
klasik
Maybe my problem's just that I've heard Nirvana and NEVERMIND too much. That's not to imply right out the gate that I disliked TEN; far from it. For as dark as it can and does get lyrically, this thing rocks to hell and back. Goodness, "alive" is downright anthemic despite what it's **actually** about. Then there's Vedder's voice. I know, especially from a lot of the reviews I skimmed here, how much of a sticking point it can be for people. Either they've heard one too many bad imitations, or maybe they just don't like it... For my money, however, I can't imagine these songs without it. Vedder's voice, even after all of the copycats, is still unique, and it's damned **impassioned** as he sings. In short: yes, I like it. So what's with that sentence at the top, then? The heck do I mean by that? Very basically, it's just that for much as I accept it as one of **the** defining albums of the grunge and alt rock movement of the 90's... I'unno, it just doesn't sound very grunge to me? Alt rock, for sure, but when it comes to grunge, NEVERMIND has always been my benchmark. "In Bloom", "Come As You Are", "Breed", "Territorial Pissing"... **That's** grunge to me. Maybe it's because Nirvana takes so many cues from punk, whereas Pearl Jam, as I've read it, sounds way more classic rock. And maybe if I'd spent years listening to TEN I'd feel the opposite way. Either way, ultimately, despite the fact that the sentiment's my opening sentence, it doesn't really matter too much to me. Both albums are incredible, front to back. I don't think grunge could've gotten two better albums to get launched by. And for me, it's the fact that it lives up to its reputation that bumps it up that extra point from a 4 to a 5. S'only fair if I've also given NEVERMIND a 5.
This album's reputation is not entirely unwarranted, because this is an absolute powerhouse in the Grunge genre, alongside the likes of Nevermind and Superunknown. Very easy 5 to give.
I’m at a very very easy 10. (No pun intended.) I’ll try my hardest to not make any direct comparisons to Nevermind, but let’s be clear; these albums are effectively the Pokemon Red & Blue of Seattle grunge, down to the damn colors of the album covers. You cannot go wrong either way, and comparing the two serves almost no purpose. They’re distinctly different, and it really just comes down to which one you prefer, and I enjoyed them basically equally (with just a slightly biased edge toward Nevermind, based on familiarity). The only thing I really knew from Pearl Jam was Even Flow – I think most people have probably heard Even Flow, whether it’s from all the videos mocking the indiscernible lyrics, or as just a straight up banger of a track. It’s an all-timer, but I think I’m glad that it was out of the way early on this album, because it gave so much room for so many of these other spectacular tracks to breathe and have their own space. I truly do not think there is a single bad track here – between the rocking instrumentation, Eddie Vedder’s slightly coarse but controlled vocals, and the excellent writing that evokes some level of imagery and emotion on almost every track, this album swings for the fences and ends up hitting the damn Moon. It is a knockout shot of a debut album, with maybe one or two “lesser” tracks that are still great to listen to. It’s definitely more loaded towards the front and the middle, but I think Release is an incredible closing track. I really don’t have the words to wax poetic about this – other people will have other platitudes to say that will better capture my mood after listening, but I just thought this was great. Very deserving of all the acclaim it gets, very deserving of being on the list, and I’m just glad I finally had an excuse to listen to it. That’s a really captivating 53 minutes, and so very deserving of a 5. Definitely a 10/10.
Ten out of Ten…
First time ever listening to Pearl Jam. I’m going to add this album to my favorites overall.
my friday historic streaks continues. at one point I would tell you this was my favorite album ever. it's still a top album for me and will forever hold a place in my heart
öncelikle kaykay yapan isa bunu bi not olarak bırakmam lazım. ikinci olarak en sevdiğim albümlerden biridir kendisi baya olay bi albüm özellikle even flow ve black baya iyi ki black sözleri ztn yeterli ne kdr sözleri o kdr önemsemeyen biri olsam da sonracığıma da yani 0 skips ztn fav albümlerimden biri abi ve gitara başladığımda çaldığım ilk şarkılardan biri alive'dı o yüzden ayrı bi yeri var o şarkının bana bi de baya nostaljik geldi bayadır dinlemiyodum bu albümü güzel hoş abi 10/10
This album feels like when you've reached that highest hubristic level of drunk right before your good night turns into a bad night. It feels like a manic episode. It feels both timeless and fresh. Some might call it front-loaded; I think the front is just more hook-laden and the back is more groove-laden.
Sehr gut
Best of the era.
I know I'm horribly biased, having grown up in Seattle in the midst of the explosion of Nirvana, Soundgarten, Pearl Jam and others, but I can't help but revere this album and all the memories associated with it. (One of the odder memories is becoming the owner of this CD when I borrowed it in college to listen to, but somehow left it on the dinner tray in the dining hall, and while I eventually recovered it, the disc insert was hopelessly soiled and warped, and so had to buy another copy of it for my friend. The CD still played just fine, though, and has been played many many times.) I'd be hard pressed to identify any songs I didn't like on this album, although "Oceans" isn't one of my favorites, and the album kind of loses its edge a bit towards the end. They put on a great show at Lollapalooza the year I saw them (1992, the same year as the album), and I've always been impressed by the whole band's dedication to playing great shows and to their fans. (I've also admired how they did their best as long as they could to avoid the Ticketmaster stadium price-gouging.) I've never seen any of the videos from this album until now, and I loved seeing that the video to "Even Flow" was filmed in a great historic theater in Seattle, Moore Theater; although I never saw them play in Seattle, I remember going to the Moore Theater as a teenager to be a crowd extra for a Queensryche music video. And not having seen the videos, I also was unaware of the bizarre story of the "Jeremy" video having had the gun suicide edited out when it first appeared, and only *un*censored a few years ago. I'm disappointed, but all that surprised, to see that this is the only Pearl Jam album we'll get in this collection. They deserve more ears than just one album, frankly.
Impeccable.
The greatest album of the grunge era. Has aged better than fine wine. All hits, made me a fan of the scene and a die hard pearl jam fan. This is a perfect album that all humans must listen to and own. Its a rite of passage
9/10
I used to say I don't like grunge. Now I say that I really like grunge, I just hate Nirvana.
good good!
Yes
Pearl Jam is one of my favorites, so this is an easy 5 for me. Not their best IMO, but still great and likely fits best into the "mandatory listening" spot. The album is full of amazing songs, but Black is probably my standout favorite, followed by Porch and Garden.
Ten is a towering debut — raw, passionate, and bursting with emotional weight. Born from the ashes of Mother Love Bone and the tragic death of Andy Wood, Pearl Jam emerged with something to prove and everything to feel. Stone Gossard’s songwriting forms the backbone of the album, anchoring it with powerful riffs and deeply personal themes, while Eddie Vedder’s voice — wounded, searching, and full of conviction — gives it soul. Standout tracks like “Once,” “Alive,” and “Jeremy” showcase the band’s ability to balance fury with melody, tackling trauma, identity, and alienation without ever slipping into pretense. But “Black” is the true heart of the album — a devastating, beautiful slow burn that builds to one of the most emotionally resonant moments in all of rock. When Vedder delivers the line, “I know you'll be the sun in someone else's sky, but why can't it be mine?” it’s not just heartbreaking — it’s unforgettable. Ten is more than just a great grunge record; it’s a statement of survival, grief, and defiance. It’s the sound of a band coming together in the shadow of loss and turning pain into something transcendent. Still hits just as hard today. Favorite song: Black
Gema
Already in my top 3 albums. Pretty much perfect from my perspective.
Lead singers voice is so good and really works with the music. Guitar work is great. I'll listen to this again.
MEJOR ALBUM EN LA HISTORIA
I was 13 when this came out, so of course this has a huge impact on me, but it still stacks up.
Legendary album, it always blows me away how good the first half of it is. This is my third or fourth time listening to it this year.
Groundbreaking and it holds up so well!
I’d been meaning to listen to this album for a while but I’m very glad I now have as I liked it very much
every single track on this bad boy
See album title for rating
En af de albums som jeg har hørt alle numre fra, dog spredt ud over en del år. Introduceret for mig igennem P6 Beat. Fungere virkelig godt i en sammenhæng også. Hørt 2.5 gange. Lyt nu bare til den igen.
Once Evenflow Alive Så er man ligesom igang! Men Pearl Jam fortsætter med den forrygende fortælling om pigen på der psykiatriske sengeafsnit der skærer beskeder til kommende indlagte, så de ikke føler sig lige så ensomme som hende selv. Eddie Vedder har på debutten skabt fortællinger om alt fra sindslidelser til incest, voldtægt, skoleskyderrier og selvfølgelig lost love. Det meste skriges intenst ud akkompagneret af fræsende guitar og bragende trommer, men det bliver også afløst af fintfølende ømhed, særligt i kærlighedserklæringen til de bølger han surfer på den smukke Oceans
I'm a 43 year old man, of course I love this album. Nirvana was always my favorite, but Pearl Jam was excellent as well, and this album combines the best of their songwriting with a love of 70s rock, sludge and a tiny bit of punk rock (surprisingly, they got punkier later). An essential album.
Another one of these that I am not sure I need to listen to. This is in regular rotation. Great debut album that helped keep hard rock alive. Yes hard rock. Not that terrible grunge term. Only thing wrong with Pearl Jam is the political pushing they do. One of my favorite live acts.
One of the greatest debut albums of all time. Just phenomenal. Nothing more to add.
Heard a few of the iconic songs on here as they're almost universal at this point. Aware of the semi-groundbreaking nature of this album but first time hearing it front to back. I understand some of the criticisms of the samey-ness of the sounds and vocals but I really dig it. Lives up to the hype imo
One of my favorite albums of the 90s
Partly heard before Saved 9/11 Top track: Even Flow
I enjoyed it that’s my note
Magnificent. Can't fault it.
Very good album.
They can’t all be perfect. Today, however, I guess I’m just lucky. I have loved this album longer than I know. Hit after hit after hit. Hits with substance, hits with original writing and unique instrumentation. Hits that stick with you even after they stop playing them on the radio. Eddie’s vocals set the band apart from their contemporary grunge artists, who were already being set apart. Everything about this album is so damn iconic. It’s nearly perfect, if not, perfect. Ten/10
Obviously an all time great
Amazing album. Once, even flow, alive, Jeremy, garden
peak rock 5/5
In my review for Nevermind, I said it didn't feel like the "big bang of grunge". This does, almost literally: everything is loud and the songwriting especially is epic. There's a reason why a good Eddie Vedder impression will make anyone laugh, but it wouldn't have been so omnipresent or so representative of a certain type of emoting if it didn't sell the hell out of these songs or if it wasn't just the cherry on top of everything else clicking into place. Fuck it...
Nuff said here I suppose. Just remember this was a true debut album, not first big record. Could this be the best debut ever in rock? Rivaled by Boston, and who else? Doors, Sabbath, Hendrix, it's a short list
Eddie Vedder's grunge vocals over well done hard rocking instrumentals. There's a reason Pearl Jam is still around, and that reason is craftsmanship. Even if you don't care for the style, you have to appreciate the quality
This is one of the first albums I remember listening to as a child and it shaped my taste in music moving forward. I had not listened to it in quite a while and it was fun to spin it again and remember why I started listening to rock music in the first place. Highly recommended album.
Excellent album. This has such a nostalgia factor for me as my sister had this CD in her car when I was in middle school. A lot of great, classic songs on this album with a few lesser tracks. This is "grunge" but really just a great rock album and an awesome debut. *****
This album is a lot of things. It’s one of the great American rock records. It’s arguably the best album of the grudge movement. It’s got one of the best three-song runs on any album ever made (Once->Even Flow->Alive… are you kidding me). It has 5 songs that would be the best song on almost any other album (the three mentioned plus Black and Jeremy). It’s an album called Ten with eleven songs. Arguably Pearl Jam’s masterpiece (Vs. will get arguments from hardcore fans), it’s an easy five star album even if the back half falls just short of the impossible heights of the first half. Pearl Jam is one of the great American bands and this is their greatest moment unless you are lucky to catch one of their stellar live shows.
An epic album, an epic debut. What else can I say?
Great album!