Pearl Jam took to superstardom like deer in headlights. Unsure of how to maintain their rigorous standards of integrity in the face of massive commercial success, the band took refuge in willful obscurity -- the title of their second album, Vs., did not appear anywhere in the packaging, and they refused to release any singles or videos. (Ironically, many fans then paid steep prices for import CD singles, a situation the band eventually rectified.) The eccentricities underline Pearl Jam's almost paranoid aversion to charges of hypocrisy or egotism -- but it also made sense to use the spotlight for progress. You could see that reasoning in their ensuing battle with Ticketmaster, and you could hear it in the record itself. Vs. is often Eddie Vedder at his most strident, both lyrically and vocally. It's less oblique than Ten in its topicality, and sometimes downright dogmatic; having the world's ear renders Vedder unable to resist a few simplistic potshots at favorite white-liberal targets. Yet a little self-righteousness is an acceptable price to pay for the passionate immediacy that permeates Vs. It's a much rawer, looser record than Ten, feeling like a live performance; Vedder practically screams himself hoarse on a few songs. The band consciously strives for spontaneity, admirably pushing itself into new territory -- some numbers are decidedly punky, and there are also a couple of acoustic-driven allads, which are well suited to Vedder's sonorous low register. Sometimes, that spontaneity comes at the expense of Ten's marvelous craft -- a few songs here are just plain underdeveloped, with supporting frameworks that don't feel very sturdy. But, of everything that does work, the rockers are often frightening in their intensity, and the more reflective songs are mesmerizing. Vs. may not reach the majestic heights of Ten, but at least half the record stands with Pearl Jam's best work.
...to hear "this song":http://images.nickiplum.multiply.com/song/1/44/full/U2FsdGVkX1.JAt9QAatPTkUYgtD,iw8jSqDhUPrEI.,C,fjjUrxi1g==/09%20Rats.m4a while drinking half-price margaritas and having chicken quesadillas?They don't eat, don't sleepThey don't feed, they don't seetheBare their gums when they moan and squeakLick the dirt off a larger one's feetThey don't push, don't crowdCongregate until...
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Hot off the presses...the Pearl Jam lollapalooza set! Ah...what a glorious night in Chicago...
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Yeah... getting stoked for the *TOOL* show tomorrow. So I head out tonight to grab a couple of sixers at "*Victory*":http://www.victorybeer.com/home.html for the fellow MOGgers I am meeting who've not yet had the pleasure & to smack the mac for some cash. I hit Victory first. I run into a girl who I used to work with when I was a hostess there, over ten years ago. She looked like hell... w...
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Pearl Jam has meant more to me over the years than any other band. I have totally grown up with them. And any PJ fan will tell you that one of the highlights of any show is during the interlude in 'Daughter' when Ed pays tribute to one of his favorite songs or artists...here are a couple classic examples...thanks for indulging my gratuitous momentFrom Jones Beach, NY , 2000...i actually mogged ...
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Every few years there will be an influx of bands who take on animal names as part of their name. Often times, though not purposely, these bands release albums in clusters - according to the animal name. For example, a few years ago, Wolf Eyes, We Are Wolves, Wolfmother and Wolf Cub popped. It seemed as if last year it was the year of the dear. The Dears, Dearhoof, Dearhunter, Dear Tick, Lone...
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I am unabashed pearl jam fan...i grew with these guys! And after seeing the Strokes kind of slug their way through a show last night with the help of some fancy lights, I really appreciated Pearl Jam that much more...they absolutley adore their fans and never, ever, ever leave you dissapointed!
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This morning I was just listening to the song "Rearviewmirror" by Pearl Jam, and it reminded me of a time in the not-too-distant past when they were arguably the most important band in the world. "Alive" and "Jeremy" owned the airwaves, followed by "Betterman" and "Daughter". People bought corduroy jackets to look like Eddie Vedder, which prompted him to write a song called "Corduroy", which (p...
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I hated this album. I actually went to th record store and reserved a copy before it came out. Then I wanted to kick myself. I was quite literally pissed off the first time I heard it. Rolling Stone magazine gave it five stars. Taught me a lot about them. It was the first time I was disappointed in an album I had spent months in eager anticipation for (though not the last time). It has,...
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...to hear "this song":http://images.nickiplum.multiply.com/song/1/44/full/U2FsdGVkX1.JAt9QAatPTkUYgtD,iw8jSqDhUPrEI.,C,fjjUrxi1g==/09%20Rats.m4a while drinking half-price margaritas and having chicken quesadillas?They don't eat, don't sleepThey don't feed, they don't seetheBare their gums when they moan and squeakLick the dirt off a larger one's feetThey don't push, don't crowdCongregate until...
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Read Howie Klein's report "here":http://mog.com/howieklein/blog_post/102256 about AT&T censoring the Pearl Jam song "Daughter" broadcast from LollapaloozaHere is the unedited version, freshly ripped for yaThe whole thing makes me sick that I use AT&T as my iPhone carrierAT&T owns all the telcos anyway, we are back to Ma Bell
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CMJ is reporting that AT&T censored Pearl Jam's Lollapalooza set on Sunday. Maybe they figured no one would notice. I guess this has to be expected when one gets in bed with freedom's mortal enemy: corporations, which will always pimp for the status quo. The was an AT&T Blue Room live broadcast set up and an AT&T "content monitor" found "Daughter" too risque for Lollapalooza fans.Here's a live ...
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Songs to keep you entertained while it remains very Seattle-esque outside.... 1. Pearl Jam - "Leash" The most powerful PJ track ever recorded. Really brings me back to my "angst-y" days. 2. Terry Lynn - "Kingstonlogic" [Angry Mix] Imagine if Basement Jaxx's "Crazy Itch Radio" disc had been overseen by KMFDM's menacing mastermind Sascha K.... 3. Del the Funky Homosapien - "Things You Can Do"
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Go |
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| 2 Animal |
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| 3 Daughter |
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| 4 Glorified G |
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| 5 Dissident |
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| 6 W.M.A. |
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| 7 Blood |
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| 8 Rearviewmirror |
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| 9 Rats |
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| 10 Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town |
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| 11 Leash |
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| 12 Indifference |
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 "Vs.")
