Thirty-five years ago, five “nobodies” from Seattle, Washington, decided to release a grunge album under the band name Pearl Jam. This album, titled Ten, became a hit in the 1990’s rock scene and jump-started these men to fame. All these years later, the band’s first album still resonates with a large portion of the public.
My father introduced me to Pearl Jam from the second I was able to formulate memory. Now, I am a big fan of this music, with Ten being my favorite album.
In this article, I will be reviewing the 11 songs from Ten and noting their listener captivation based on lyricism and meaning, mood, and relatability. Put on your flannels and hold onto your headphones, because this is about to be a blast from the past.
Track One: “Once” – 6/10
“Once” is the opener to this album and sets the scene for a three song storyline that explores a similar theme. Along with “Alive” later in the album and “Footsteps,” a song that was cut from the album but later released on the album Lost Dogs, the band sings about how the protagonist, with a past of mental abuse, spirals into a mental breakdown and gives in to chaotic impulses. “Oh, try and mimic/What’s insane/I am in it/Where do I stand?” Though it’s not one of my favorites, the grueling chorus and the gravelly vocals make this opening song a nice beginning to an album of artistry.
Track Two: “Even Flow” – 8/10
From being featured on Guitar Hero III to still being played on radio stations today, “Even Flow” is the most popular song from Pearl Jam. Though the melody is catchy and the words are often sung with reckless abandon, “Even Flow” is about the erratic thoughts one may experience when dealing with homelessness. While the topic may seem random, the lyrics resonate with many: “Oh he don’t know/So he chases them away/Someday yet, he’ll begin his life again, yeah.” Lead guitarist Mike McCready plays a strong guitar that gives the song a “grunge” feel and is an anthem for 90’s babies even today.
Track Three: “Alive” – 9/10
“Alive” is a personal track for lead singer Eddie Vedder, as it is about him never knowing his real father. “While you were sittin’ home alone at age thirteen/Your real daddy was dyin’/Sorry you didn’t see him”: the man that he knew as his dad was solely his stepfather. This track has resonated with me since the first time I heard it. Despite its melancholy message, the rock rhythm and repeated chorus of “I’m still alive” are seen as a battle chant towards those fighting. After understanding what it is like to care for someone who is battling death and listening to it with my own father, I can understand the struggle Vedder was being protected from as a child.
Track Four: “Why Go” – 5/10
Another track, another deep story. “Why Go” tells the story of a teenage girl who was sent away because her family believed she was mentally ill. Considered a heavy grunge rocker, “Why Go” is the question that this girl is asking herself before returning home to the family that made her leave. “She seems to be stronger/But what they want her to be is weak/Why go home?” This song has deep explanations of topics that are often taboo, especially back when they were released. A typical rock song that isn’t often one of the highlights, but the message sent by “Why Go” is as deep as they come.
Track Five: “Black” – 10/10
“Black” is a powerful rock ballad that shows the pain after a first heartbreak. With lyrics like “I know someday, you’ll have a beautiful life/I know you’ll be a star in somebody else’s sky/But why not mine” shows how you have to let go of a past lover to grow, and “All the pictures had all been washed in black/Tattooed everything” shows how a love gone wrong can stain the past and your memories. The mood is set from the very first guitar strum, and it carries to the end with the same repeated chords being played to stick with the listener. People can relate to the lyrics and tone that Vedder is sharing; this is my favorite track off this album.
Track Six: “Jeremy” – 9/10
Coming right after one of the most heartwrenching tracks is arguably the most impactful song on the album: “Jeremy.” This song is written about a true 1991 tragedy where a boy who struggled with his mental health was pushed to follow through with something that he and his classmates will never forget. The song is being told from a student’s perspective. With a haunting mood and the motif of “Jeremy spoke in class today” as the main choral lyric and “Try to forget this/try to erase this/from the blackboard,” listeners who have experienced a tragedy similar to this or are looking for a song to cry to, “Jeremy” is the one you should listen to.
Track Seven: “Oceans” – 7/10
“Oceans” is a beautiful love song that blends the imagery of the singer’s love with nature and the ocean. The lyrics suggest a longing to be together despite the distance signaled by the ocean as a metaphor. With an ending of rhythmic “oohs” that seem like you’re being held captive in a siren song and a promise that “I will be/I will be there once more,” I would recommend “Oceans” as an introduction to Pearl Jam as a band, even though it is not one of my favorites.
Track Eight: “Porch” – 6/10
Another one of their more popular songs, “Porch,” is one of the band’s most played during concerts. “Porch” is always their closer before the encore, or the last song in the first half of the show. A broken and fragmented relationship inspires the lyrics of this song, with one of the most powerful being “You coulda held my hand/You shoulda held on.” Those who may be struggling with a break up or just having a hard day can headbang their frustration out to drummer Dave Krusen’s aggressive beat on “Porch.”
Track Nine: “Garden” – 7.5/10
A song of disillusionment that reflects on war and on greed, “Garden” pays tribute to military cemeteries from the Gulf War. Vedder has extreme cultural and respectful awareness and wants to spread stories that often go unnoticed. “Garden” is the first of many highlighted stories. Listening to this haunted track, the audience can feel the introspectiveness that Vedder includes in the song, and it feels as though they are walking through the cemetery themselves: “I will walk with my shadow flag/Into your garden/Garden of stone.”
Track Ten: “Deep” – 3.5/10
“Deep” is known as the worst track on the album by most Pearl Jam fans, and I agree. The lowest-ranked on my list for this album, “Deep,” is probably a skip. Though it is prompted by the topic of drowning and feeling trapped, the music on “Deep” is more of a heavy metal compared to the classic rock ballad gems that are most prominent on the album. McCready’s guitar is super quirky, and Vedder’s vocalization is powerful, but “Deep” is not my style. “Can’t touch the bottom/In too deep” really exemplifies how Vedder was in way too deep with trying to make this song enjoyable. If you enjoy songs that have large builds and musical flips, “Deep” is that song.
Track Eleven: “Release” – 8.5/10
9:08 run time, a secret track at the end of the record, and words that confront familial anguish and how one can grow from trauma, “Release” is the perfect ending to an album that is so full of emotion. Vedder states, “I’ll ride the wave/Where it takes me/I’ll hold the pain/Release me,” showing how he has been shaped by his past and how one can move on and gain strength from distressing experiences. All aspects considered, this song wholly encapsulates all the emotions one may feel when listening to Ten and leads the album to a beautiful end.
All things considered, Ten truly is a ten out of ten on my scale. With lyrics that provoke longing and hope and moods that create images and deep stories for the listener, this album is a testament to how powerful real music truly is and how tracks can stand the test of time. If this is your first time ever hearing about Pearl Jam, I would consider listening to this album and others for yourself; maybe you, too, will be able to experience the wonder that is 90’s grunge.
