Ten Out of Ten: Revisiting Pearl Jam's Classic Debut
Filed under: DLC News / Tags: pearl-jam, full-album-pack, 1990s, grunge / 89 comments
When an album has moved as many people as Pearl Jam's Ten, it's near-impossible to tell the whole story. After all, you probably had your life changed by some of these songs; you went through some of the crises and triumphs that Eddie Vedder sings about; you rocked out with the guitar solos and cried with the heavier moments. And now, we hope, you're about to have a whole lot of fun with it; since Ten hits today as a full-album download for Rock Band. If you were too young to be there first time around, a quick look back to the life and times of Ten:
From the start, Pearl Jam seemed like a band destined to happen: Eddie Vedder was working in a gas station when he was passed a demo cassette by a band that lacked a singer. He left work, went surfing and got inspired; when he came back he'd written lyrics for "Alive," "Once" and "Footsteps." That earned him a trip to Seattle and a quickie audition.
When they began recording the album, Pearl Jam wasn't even Pearl Jam: They were still known around Seattle as Mookie Blaylock, a name that was destined to bite the dust as soon as the real-life New Jersey Net Mookie found out about it. According to legend, the new name was decided on while the band members were watching an early-'91 performance by one of their heroes, Neil Young: During a particularly intense guitar solo, bassist Jeff Ament turned to guitarist Stone Gossard and said, "How about Pearl Jam?" In one of those perfect coincidences, the band would do a collaborative album with Young, Mirror Ball, just four years later.
It's hard to think of Ten without using that g-word, but there was no mass-culture movement around Seattle when Pearl Jam started out. Sure, there had been a handful of Seattle bands who liked it loud and dirty: The Melvins helped get the ball rolling; so did Alice in Chains and Mother Love Bone, the band where Gossard and Ament first played together. Soundgarden too were becoming cult heroes; and Mudhoney were apparently the first to proudly describe themselves as "grunge." Yet none of those bands stood a chance of breaking through to the mainstream—at least not yet. It took two bands and two albums to turn Seattle from a city full of weird bands into a full-blown phenomenon. Those two albums came out in August and September of 1991—and Ten got there first, beating Nirvana's Nevermind by four weeks. The Northwest hype was now on.
There were other differences, of course: Where Nirvana were hip and cynical, Pearl Jam risked being too emotional for their own good. When they wrote about misfits, it was dramatic and sympathetic: One listen to "Jeremy" or "Even Flow" and it's clear that Eddie Vedder feels your pain. Vedder's own personal shakeups went into the songs as well, with "Alive" famously drawing from his reaction at learning that his dad was really his stepfather (The band released this as its first-ever single, deliberately choosing a song less commercial than some of the other album tracks). At the same time, the band had a flair for larger-than-life, arena-rock gestures: That Eastern guitar riff that opens "Once" was enough to let classic-rock fans know they were in good hands; as were the monster solos that Mike McCready played throughout.
Pearl Jam was known for some death-defying live shows at the time of Ten's release, and we mean that literally. The most legendary show happened in Seattle a week before Ten's release: Clearly feeling the spirit, Eddie Vedder climbed atop the PA system, which wasn't weighted down too well in the first place. The towers started wobbling, Vedder started surfing, a bunch of nervous roadies formed a human net underneath…and amazingly, nothing happened, except that Vedder made it back to the stage for the next song. The first time they toured America, Pearl Jam was still the opening act: They played arenas with Smashing Pumpkins and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But Boston got them a few months earlier, where they opened for local heroes Buffalo Tom and the Lemonheads. The radio station that sponsored that one is still bragging about it.
In some ways, Ten was the most between-the-eyes, radio-ready album Pearl Jam would ever make. Stung by criticism that they were too mainstream, the band would make its share of non-commercial moves: First they'd refuse to make videos, then they'd go to battle with Ticketmaster. On disc they'd start getting experimental, on idiosyncratic albums like Vitalogy and No Code. And before too long, one of the world's most committed bands was one of its most popular as well.
Rediscover Ten for yourself: Not only is the classic album now a Rock Band download, it gets the deluxe reissue treatment this week. Hear Ten in a brand-new mix that brings out the band's original intention...Or spring for the deluxe version, complete with a copy of Eddie Vedder's original cassette! For more info on the reissues released today visit here.
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Comments
UnderRedSky...
Awesome album, I couldn't refrain from downloading it. Alice In Chains, however, will always be King in my heart. I'm waiting for RockBand to release DIRT, Jar of Flies, or "Tripod" in their entirety. Those albums are completely stacked with hits and songs that would be fun as hell to shred through. Come on RockBand.....wh- at- the hell are you waiting for?!?!? Get some more.....waaaay more.... Alice In Chains songs intergrated into the game!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Bassman23...
Pearl jam rules and will always rule with alice in chains, nirvana and soundgarden. GRUNGE IS ALMOST AS GOOD AS PROG AND METAL!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
grunge 101...
to bad the album came out right after i bought the original
Sunday, April 19, 2009
raiselove...
Almost a month has past since this zine post and "ten" is still not being played on my playstation. What gives? This makes nicotine fits look microscopic!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Floobor...
Best Album ever!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Smoking Blunts...
FTL
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Firemars...
No! Xbox 360 FTW!!!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
LinkJon...
why would you even buy a Wii? they have horrible graphics for even the simpler games, and online completely blows! If you all really love gaming or Pearl Jam you'd buy a PS3, or even a PS2! By the way, I'm writing this on my PS3, right now.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
vedder-man...
can i download this for the wii? if not how do i get it for wii, i am a pj-phile, must have
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
JuiceMon...
YES! THANK YOU! WII WIILL BE PEARL JAMMIN!
AWESOME!
Friday, April 3, 2009
King_tubb...
ubercorpreal...-
Well, the wii had to update in order to get DLC in the first place, since its not a computer hardrive like the 360 or PS3, im guessing its pretty hard to get DLC through nintendo, but i do question why our DLC shouldn't just be added on in advance
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
_
um cause then you would get it for free...and we wouldnt.. genius
Plus they have to create the DLC. They dont just have millions of songs already created and draw out of a hat what comes out this week. Use your brain there, captain.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Finnulf...
Many thanks to Pearl Jam, Harmonix, Pi, and everyone who made this happen.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Akoatzin...
Game stop employees told me to buy Guitar Hero instead of Rock Band I almost did and I am glad I didn't I am huge fan of Pearl Jam love Eddie Vedder thank you Rock Band for this opportunity I am definitely buying Rock Band.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Juniorverse...
Awesome album, thanks for this!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
ubercorpreal...
Well, the wii had to update in order to get DLC in the first place, since its not a computer hardrive like the 360 or PS3, im guessing its pretty hard to get DLC through nintendo, but i do question why our DLC shouldn't just be added on in advance
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
foresmac...
I'm tired of the Wii being this second-class RB citizen, even though it's the best selling console by a considerable margin. Peripherals and DLC are always way behond the others. I doubt I'll spend $500 plus another $300 to re-buy everything for PS3 so Harmonix/EA/Nin- tendo- GET WITH IT.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
grungerocks2...
need more pearl jam like yellow ledbetter, rearviewmirror,- corduroy, better man, and love reign o'er me
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Steve41...
Still no damn downloads for Pearl Jam on the Wii yet!! This ****s!!
Monday, March 30, 2009
JuiceMon...
ONCE
Monday, March 30, 2009
kellyklabby...
how do i download songs for my ps2?
Monday, March 30, 2009
ubercorpreal...
I think i can wait, because im still deciding with my last 200 wii points what to get, hey guys, Jeremy or Once? ill get more points but i need more opinions on what to get first.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Godnuk...
And yet this couldn't have been mentioned in any of the previous announcements regarding the release...wonde- rful.- How hard can it be to offer songs to download? I'm beginning to think I made the wrong choice in games...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
ILoveEddie...
Wii must send emails daily to EA.com .
Saturday, March 28, 2009
ILoveEddie...
Hello,
Thank you for contacting Rock Band warranty support.
At this point we do not have any updates as to the release of the Pearl Jam album on the Wii. I can assure you though that Harmonix is working very diligently with Nintendo to make available as much downloadable content every week on the Wii as possible. Where the ability to download songs on the Wii was only established at the beginning of the year, much work needs to be done to try and catch up with the massive library already offered on other consoles. In fact, the Wii has been making available roughly 8 new songs every week where the other two consoles usually always received an average of about 3 or 4. I'm sure the release of the album is a high priority to them and will be made available as soon as possible.
For the latest updates on available DLC for the Wii please continue to check www.rockband.co- m- for any new details.
If you have any further questions or concerns please let us know. Thank you!
Sinc
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Godnuk...
It's now Saturday morning and still no release for the Wii. Seriously?
Saturday, March 28, 2009
rodro4477...
Finally putting one the best bands on Rockband. Thank you
Saturday, March 28, 2009
JuiceMon...
Where is the release for WII!!! WTF!?!?!?!?!? I NEED IT!11
Friday, March 27, 2009
Thrasher9294...
You should be able to. Unless you have the Wii version.
Friday, March 27, 2009
jherlihy58...
I see, that makes sense. So i have to have rock band 2 the game? i have rock band, can i stil do it? or do i need to have rock band 2?
Friday, March 27, 2009
XGRIFFINX...
Worth the wait! This was so fuch fun playing last night! THANK YOU HMX! Please add my voice to those asking for Yellow ledbetter, that would be the icing on the cake. Again, worth every penny and THANKS!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Karmeleaux...
It's amazing how many comments this has gotten, and how many of them were positive.
If only all weeks were like this. Love you guys, though.
Friday, March 27, 2009
arliet...
I just played all 11 songs and it is FRACKIN (BSG) sick! I sung every word as i wailed on the guitar!!! One of the all time best albums!!!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Godnuk...
Any chance of it coming out on the Wii? It's past nine o'clock at night on the east coast and still nothing!
Friday, March 27, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
Thasher - no worries brother. Just didn't like the side comment from him, all is forgiven now that I have my PJ DLC.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mccanit...
now we are cool everyone, we 've waited so long but i guess every one is having fun !
best exprience i ve ever had on a video console!!! i'd like to see more pearl jam dlc coming, thank you hmx for making me feel like i am mike mccready!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thrasher9294...
Mclaughlin, I didn't mean to start anything. I just didn't want any crap on here as it is.
Have fun with your songs.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
jherlihy58, you have to go to the music store from inside the Rock Band 2 main menu in the game itself. Your PS3 must also be hooked up to the Internet ...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
I see the songs but only the xbox link comes up. nothing about PS3 ?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jvpalmere...
JUST CALLED HOME, MY SON SAYS TEN IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD IN THE ROCK BAND STORE. 3:43 PM
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
jherlihy58 - it's there, I was able to download it. Just look in the songs section, they might not have updated the album part yet ... if you're still having troubles then email me on here and I'll try and help.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
Somebody help me here! where the hell is the pearl jam ten for ps3???
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
Where is it for ps3? am i crazy?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
geminiace...
Best DLC ever! Please release their other albums as they reissue them. Please!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
just came home and Ten is available now for the PS3. Thanks for making us wait all day Harmonix!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
kingOFpain...
As of 1:51p on Thursday no Pearl Jam "ten"
Thursday, March 26, 2009
FFMEDIC...
Did they give a time it would be released or did they just say Thurday 3/26?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
East coast time is now 12:45 and still no pj for PS3! what are they waiting for?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
WayPastCool (or anyone else) ... are you saying the Ten is available in the music store for the PS3 now? Wasted my whole lunch hour waiting to see if Harmonix would FINALLY put it out there (since it is Thursday and all), but it wasn't available yet so I headed back to work. If someone, anyone, would be kind enough to leave a comment on here once it is available it would be greatly appreciated. And to the Harmonix staff all I have to say is WTF! It's past noon on the east coast, what are you waiting for?!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
WayPastCool17...
Patience is a virtue. I downloaded the album the second I got home from school. I knew Rock Band would dish out this album as soon as I saw Alive as a track on RB2. But the thing that bugs me is that both this album and Nevermind by NIrvana were the 2 albums that set grunge into the mainstream. We have the whole Ten album but we're still missing the primary 3 songs from Nevermind. When the hell are those gonna come to RB?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
None of the songs listed on here are for PS3? huh? you can only do it for xbox?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
Why is it taking so long? it's almost noon for god sakes!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
@Thrasher - he can give an honest answer without the side commentary 'Are you guys living on another planet?'. I play the game too obviously, so how was I blaming him for playing it?!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
me either. came home for lunch and it's still not available in the Music Store for the PS3. Come on Harmonix ...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
In fact, i don't see any for PS3 ? where are they? am i just not seeing it? help!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jherlihy58...
Still not there for ps3! only for xbox. Today is thursday? is it not? this is kind of confusing.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
jorellano...
I love the 'Zine. And I love Pearl Jam. This was an excellently-cra- fted- article! I cannot wait to get off work in eight hours and download this awesome offering. Getting a refresher of the early '90s was an excellent experience for me this morning. I can remember living in Arizona and listening to Pearl Jam and Nirvana and the rifts between them on the radio and on TV. I thought they were both awesome bands. I am extremely excited about today. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication to the fans, team HMX! =)
Thursday, March 26, 2009
proricand...
Who cares if it's on Thursday, Tuesday or 80 years from now... I'm going to pass on this week's DLC.
I was hoping that other songs would come out along-side this Pearl Jam album, but I guess not ("/).
Looks like I'll have to wait till next week.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Neon-POP...
DO want. ;D
Thursday, March 26, 2009
HeavyHorse...
Great article. This album (or any Rock Band dlc) was the first I didn't sleep before release. I didn't even get a second of sleep, I was pulling an all nighter with my bud. Of course was purely coincidental, as I had just remembered "Ten" was releasing soon (was about 3:30 am, came an hour or so after). Hell though, it sure payed off.
This is easily one of my favorite albums of all time (I already own the album and am even considering buying the re-issue). You guys did a superb job picking this album to release, I had my fingers crossed for this one for a long time.
Thank you.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thrasher9294...
Mclaughlin. You can't blame somebody for playing games. He wasn't hating. You were all flipping out. He had to give an honest answer. Had one person asked, it probably wouldn't be an issue to have a regular response, but so many people asked.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
mccanit...
i ve pre-ordered the delux edition 2 mouths ago, they send me on 3 weeks ago,23rd of march to istanbul (this great band dont let a fan to wait much than an other) and i was counting my days to go on rockband ! but what a shame waiting for it untill thursday for ps3. its pearl jam 10 dudes you cant make people wait for that with a such reason!
i just want my pearl jam!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
@Thejaff - not living on another planet. Truth is that I rarely purchase DLC. I've read all the Harmonix Pearl Jam announcements and didn't see ANYWHERE where they said the PS3 content would be released on 3/25. Quit hating simply because some of us have day jobs, play in real bands on the side, and don't live and die by the 'weekly' Harmonix announcements. I just want my Pearl Jam!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Iprogg...
Yo pearl jam is awesome. but i've only heard one song from them and thats "Alive", but now once i heard more of there songs just now just wants me to get there album. great job for putting Pear Jam on, it looks awssome
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
jherlihy58...
OH i see. well waht's one more day?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thejaff...
Are you guys living on another planet? DLC is ALWAYS released on tuesdays for xbox and on thursdays for PS3. And its always made clear by Harmonix in their weekly annoucements.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
MickLite7...
Sweeeeet!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
ugh, thanks for making us PS3 users wait R.B. ... and yes, it would be nice if it you would make it clear when the release dates vary by platform.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
JRZYGAL78...
Looks like the tracks won't be released for PS3 until tomorrow!
The content hits Xbox 360 on March 24, and PlayStation 3 on March 26.
Would be nice if they would let us know beforehand! One more day!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
jvpalmere...
Well on PS 3 the songs are not there yet.. There is none even in the songs list. If u do it by band,, Pearl Jam is not listed anywhere. Its a hoax.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
jherlihy58...
The album is not all together, the songs are on there individually. They are there, you have to look through the entire catalog of songs.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
jherlihy58...
You can only download if you have x box? I have ps3 and all the pearl jam songs are for x box? huh?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
mpmmclaughlin...
hey jvpalmere, glad to know I'm not the only one with this problem. Can't see TEN in the online Store. How in the heck did others get it?! Please help, wanna rock out to some Pearl Jam ...
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
jvpalmere...
Well Where is it??? Been waiting for the Download and its still not listed in the online Store?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Hdrixfan...
Played it last night... Wicked!!! Best DLC ever!!!
Why no "Alive"??? I only have the first Rock Band game. 2 thumbs down for this :b
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Willtur...
Nicely written article. props
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
MadMok...
WHY NO YELLOW LEADBETTER-- We (me) wanted this NOT Master/Slave. YLB is the best song by PJ and was a B-side to Jeremy. I bought the single jest for this song. I can only hope that they have plans to release this as DLC in the future.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
RockBandRocker...
This is, without a doubt, THE BEST DLC to ever come to Rock Band. "Ten" is such a PERFECT album, and to be able to kill one's voice by singing "Once", "Even Flow", "Black" and "Jeremy" (along with the rest of the album) is an experience that while painful is SO much fun!!
Thank you HMX (and Pearl Jam) for making this "Ten" fan one of the happiest people in the world this week!!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Soma742...
finally they put even flow on Rock Band
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
YoungGun31...
Hey Rockband, please keep in mind that Pearl Jam has many other great albums that would be awesome as future dlc. Or at least give us a few more track packs by, in my opinion, one of the greatest rock bands of my generation!!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Thrasher9294...
Nice. Can't wait to try it. Sadly, I can't get the entire album. I'm getting "Even Flow" for sure, but not all the songs. Oh well, I'll get them someday.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
rvditore...
"Ten" remains of the the 90's siminal albums. Can't wait to dust off the flanel!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
MOE HAWK...
5* BUT COULD USE THE GERMANY BONUS TRACKS MAINLY DIRTY FRANK
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Agentespio...
I'm so stoked to play this later!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
kingkeld...
Thank you for yet another super FULL ALBUM download...
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Jonspach...
Can't wait to play this tonight.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
hman112...
I love it! But **** YOU HARMONIX FOR NOT PUTTING IT ON THE WII!!! THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY!!!!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I Slang Knowledge...
Pearl Jam's "Ten" is still one of the most well-spun albums ever to grace my turntables and one of my favorite albums of all time. So yeah, I guess it's safe to say I'll be downloading this one and playing it. Hope to see some of you join me!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
jclssbbface...
awsome
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
wgahnagl...
I can't wait until Thursday. I loved this album when it came out and I love it now.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009