I will never forget the day I heard Jeremy for the first time. I couldnt get it out of my head for weeks. Images of a poor tortured little kid boiling in his own hatred took over my brain and I hummed that haunting tune till it seemed like tht’s all I could sing. I then took an active interest in listening to Pearl Jam and till date no song of theirs has really disappointed me.
What gripped me about this band was first and foremost Eddie’s voice. No one can do it like him. I’ve heard covers and remixes and local bands and nothing but nothing compares to his voice. His voice is rich and emotive. He can hold a note perfectly and uses small nuances to change tone and meaning.
Pearl Jam’s music is brilliant in its own way. They are not inimitable or anything but they are a joy to listen to. The guitar pieces are haunting and they have their own characteristic refrains to every song. Their songs are varied and though their sound might be alike on some level, each song has its own unique flavour.
However, the biggest reason why Pearl Jam appeals to me this much lies in the https://lyrics. I always say that while Nirvana can make you get high on their music, Pearl Jam will get you tripping on their https://lyrics. Each song holds a different meaning and has lyrics that stay on your lips long after the music has faded.
Ten is one of their best albums with songs that have literally become legendary. Ten has eleven songs on its list and I will try and give a brief intro to the ones I like best:
ONCE
This song begins the album with a bang. It starts out soft and a little slow. It picks up pace and volume until the chorus becomes a cry of anguish which is indescribable but touching. A song about the painful past it has lyrics like
’’Once upon a time I could control myself.
Once upon a time I could lose myself.
Once upon a time I could love myself.
Once upon a time I could love you.’’
ALIVE
This song achieved legendary status. The melody is gorgeous and the chorus will bang around in your head for a while. This is a song that is best listened to with earphones on and no lights. The lyrics are heart wrenching as the song is about incest. This is a song that makes you think.
’’Is something wrong?’’ she said.
Of course there is.
’’You’re still alive, ’’ she said.
Oh, and do I deserve to be?
Is that the question?
And if so, if so, who answers? Who answers?’’
WHY GO
This is one of my favorite songs on the album. It talks about this little girl incarcerated in a psychiatric ward without considering her illness. It about her thoughts. The song in true Pearl Jam style is wonderfully orchestrated. There is nothing soft about this song and the first few lines launch you into a tumultuous song.
She scratches a letter into a wall made of stone.
Maybe someday another child won’t feel as alone as she does.
It’s been two years and counting since they put her in this place.
She’s been diagnosed by some stupid f**k and mommy agrees.
Why go home?
BLACK
I could write an entire review on Black. Its a song with more meaning than can be found on all of Britney Spears and Christine Aguliera’s work combined. The song itself has a minimal score with Vedder’s voice casting the magic. Its a song that holds you spellbound with its power and transports you to another place. Its also a song that will be appreciated by the mainstream listeners more.
And now my bitter hands cradle broken glass,
Of what was everything.
All the pictures have all been washed in black...
...tattooed everything.
All the love gone bad turned my world to black...
...tattooed all I see...all that I am...all I’ll be.?
Its a song of lost love and empty memories.
JEREMY
This is another smash hit from this album. When one listens to this one sees the seeds of premonition. Pearl Jam predicts the violence that is now happening in school, they go under the skin of the frustrated boy and tell his tragic story. All this is done under the guise of a great song that has a haunting chorus that will immerse you in its world.
At home drawing pictures of mountain tops with him on top.
Lemon yellow sun. Arms raised in a V.
The dead lay in pools of maroon below.
Daddy didn’t give attention to the fact that mommy didn’t care.
King Jeremy the Wicked ruled his world.?
The other songs in this album also have a high listening quotient and great recall value. For artistic value, this album scores a 9.9, but for commercial value, Pearl Jam is definitely not topping any charts in India.
If you have a predeliction towards rock and intense music, Pearl Jam is there for you. The ardent followers of this band are always just that ardent. Pearl Jam has a reputation for not disappointing its fans and churning out music that inspires and delights. If Celine Dion rocks your world, then maybe this world is not for you. But if your tastes in music are dark and introspective, dont ever miss listening to this band.
Thanks for reading this long winded review. Do please rate it after reading and do tell me what you think, though if you hate Pearl Jam dont be too eloquent about it, they are pretty close to my heart.