M+M Monday XII – Pearl Jam

I think a few of my first music purchases on tape were Duran Duran’s ‘Rio’, Beastie Boys ‘Licensed to Ill’ and as gifts, Michael Jacksons ‘Thriller’ and Bruce Springsteens ‘Born in the USA’. But no tape/CD affected me more as did Pearl Jam’s ‘Ten’.

As you can see, my taste in music was a little all over the place. My sister was always a Bon Jovi, NKOTB, Debbie Gibson, etc. fan and brother was the opposite, rap (Third Bass, etc.). I was more into rock and my dad’s love of the Beatles.

But early on in 1991, before Ten was released, I had heard Alive on a radio and was drawn. Nobody then knew who Pearl Jam was. No one knew the song! I’m not exaggerating either. I remember buying the tape and my brother and his friend saying I was crazy and who are they! The tape became a permanent fixture in my car/room player and they became quite famous.

I’m still a fan and have been fortunate to have been to 2-3 shows. Still like their current music, as well as some side projects of Eddie and the rest, but nothing beats early PJ. Ten is the best, but anything up until and including ‘Yield’ are perfect. With the rest since then, Binaural-Riot Act-Pearl Jam, are OK for me.

The beginning with their angst, intensity, confidence, excitement and energy was where it was for me. Yes they are still good, but the young sound of early Eddie is where its at!

So, where it all began for me with Ten’s video for ‘Alive’.

If you know my blog, I usually put a YouTube of a video/performance up. Well, if you know PJ at all (Ticketmaster, their lack of love for MTV/videos, etc.), then you’ll know why all their videos on YouTube cannot be embedded.