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Rating: Once upon a time, there was Seattle. The Green River and the Mother Love Bone. The Temple Of The Dog and Pearl Jam. And Ten, formally the debut of a group of musicians. In reality, a culmination and a starting point. Ten remains in many ways an unsurpassed record, an absolute symbol of Seattle’s sound and of that movement commonly referred to as grunge. In it, the "old" and the "new" aspects of that sound merge. Assuming we can use these terms, as Seattle's era only began a few years earlier: around 1983, with the historic Sub Pop label. But in it, some of the most active names in the city's music scene play. The "new" is Eddie Vedder who arrives from San Diego. But the "new" is also the energy the new formation can bring to American rock.
Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament had already played together in Mother Love Bone, whose singer Andrew Wood died of an overdose in March 1990. A death that came on the eve of the band's debut album, Apple, and after the reception of the LP Shine had suggested good possibilities for success for the band. Already in 1990, Stone Gossard had recorded demos with the instrumental bases of some songs that would later become Alone, Once, Alive, Black, and Footsteps. The tape reached Jack Irons, the future drummer of Pearl Jam, who was then in the band of former Clash Joe Strummer. Irons passed it to Eddie Vedder, whom he had met during the tour. Vedder is a Chicago boy who moved to San Diego, knowing almost nothing of Seattle's scene. He writes the lyrics for some songs, sings them, and sends the tape back. He is then called to Seattle to try out with the band. While rehearsing with his future bandmates, Vedder duets with Chris Cornell in Temple Of The Dog. But Temple Of The Dog was something sporadic, a celebration. Instead, Mookie Blaylock, a name borrowed from a basketball player, was intended to become a stable band. Gossard, Ament, McCready, and Vedder continue to play together. They look for a drummer, who initially will be Dave Krusen. The name is then changed to Pearl Jam, and Ten is recorded, always with Rick Parashar, a few months later, in the spring of 1991. It will be released at the end of the summer.
The explosion of the movement, and with the success of the record, is not immediate, however. The great period becomes the summer of 1992, when the names of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and of course, Temple Of The Dog are on everyone's lips. A film, Singles, directed by Cameron Crowe, consecrates this moment. They appear, among others, both Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
Ten, however, is a great record not only for the past it generated but also for the future it created. In its sound, its electric drives, its psychedelic ballads, and the angry and epic tones of Vedder's voice is contained all the best that Seattle's rock can express. Grunge has often been identified with Generation X and its disillusionment. Surely Ten is a record that contains despair; at times it is marked by a great desire to let out everything that is wrong. But it is limiting to make this coincide with the stereotypes of this movement. Anyway, to get a taste of the band's energy, it is enough to listen to the chorus of "Once", which tells of a serial killer loading a prostitute into his car. Autobiographical hints are not lacking. Like the most famous track, "Alive", based on a memorable guitar riff by Stone Gossard, the song speaks of Eddie's difficult childhood. In three verses, Eddie summarizes one of the dramas of his life: never having known his real father. But despite everything, in the chorus, he says "I’m still alive." The theme will return in other tracks, like in "Betterman." The theme of a denied childhood reappears in "Jeremy", although no longer in an autobiographical key. Another track that musically is one of the keys of the record, speaks of a boy suffering physical and psychological abuse from his parents and who commits suicide in class. The story is narrated with Eddie’s typically fragmented style, made of images and ellipses that let something unsaid seep through. In fact, in the piece, the suicide is never named. The song is released as a single and accompanied by a clip that wins several important awards. But the misunderstandings created by the video, which depicts a class of children, was one of the reasons that pushed Pearl Jam to not shoot more for some time.
It’s very easy to think of Ten and associate the record with its more driven tracks, where McCready's and Gossard's guitars chase each other, with Ament’s bass not only giving rhythm but often suggesting melody. In reality, Ten is also remembered for its epic and psychedelic ballads like "Garden" and "Release". But above all, the wonderful "Black", very cryptic in its lyrics, with a few nods to despair, has become one of the most beloved songs by fans, despite Pearl Jam having had a conflicted relationship with this track, refusing to release it as a single.
In short, although Ten is the Seattle Album, even more so than Nevermind or those by Soundgarden, it is not the record of grunge nor of Generation X. Simply, it’s a masterpiece that tells stories of outsiders and does so with anger. But Vedder does not belong to any movement of this kind. His songs are the mirror of the already inherently distorted American society. Ten represents the social malaise and American anger, with memorable songs that have made rock history.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Once (03:51)
I admit it -- what's to say? Yeah...
I'll relive it without pain...
Backstreet lover on the side of the road,
I got a bomb in my temple that is gonna explode.
I got a sixteen gauge buried under my clothes, I play...
Once upon a time, I could control myself.
Ooh, once upon a time, I could lose myself, yeah...
Oh, try and mimic what's insane -- ooh, yeah...
I am in it -- where do I stand?
Oh, Indian summer and I hate the heat,
I got a backstreet lover on the passenger seat.
I got my hand in my pocket, so determined, discreet...
I pray...
Once upon a time I could control myself.
Ooh, once upon a time I could lose myself, yeah, yeah...
You think I got my eyes closed,
But I'm lookin' at you the whole fuckin' time...
Ooh, once upon a time I could control myself, yeah...
Once upon a time I could lose myself, yeah, yeah, yeah...
Once, upon a time I could love myself, yeah...
Once upon a time I could love you, yeah, yeah, yeah...
Once, once, once, once...
Yeah...once, once...yeah, yeah...
Yeah...yeah, yeah...yeah, yeah...
02 Even Flow (04:53)
Freezin', rests his head on a pillow made of concrete, again.
Oh, feelin' maybe he'll see a little better, set a days, ooh, yeah.
Oh, hand out, faces that he sees time again ain't that familiar, oh yeah.
Oh, dark grin, he can't help, when he's happy looks insane, oh yeah.
Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away.
Someday yet, he'll begin his life again.
Life again, life again...
Kneelin', looking through the paper though he doesn't know to read, ooh yeah.
Oh, prayin', now to something that has never showed him anything.
Oh, feelin', understands the weather of the winters on its way.
Oh, ceilings, few and far between all the legal halls of shame, yeah.
Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away.
Someday yet, he'll begin his life again.
Whispering hands, gently lead him away.
Him away, him away...
Yeah!
Woo...ah yeah...fuck it up...
Even flow, thoughts arrive like butterflies.
Oh, he don't know, so he chases them away.
Someday yet, he'll begin his life again, yeah.
Oh, whispering hands, gently lead him away.
Him away, him away...
Yeah!
Woo...uh huh...yeah, yeah, mommy,mommy...
03 Alive (05:41)
Son, she said, have I got a little story for you
What you thought was your daddy was nothin' but a
While you were sittin' home alone at age thirteen
Your real daddy was dyin'
Sorry you didn't see him
But I'm glad we talked
Oh I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey, I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey, oh
Oh, she walks slowly, across a young man's room
She said I'm ready for you
I can't remember anything to this very day
'Cept the look, the look
Oh, you know where
Now I can't see, I just stare
I, I'm still alive
Hey I, but, I'm still alive
Hey I, boy, I'm still alive
Hey I, I, I'm still alive, yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, oh, oh
Is something wrong, she said
Well 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
I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, oh, I'm still alive
Hey I, but, I'm still alive
Yeah I, oh, I'm still alive
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh huh
Yeah, uh huh
Uh huh
Yeah, uh huh
Yeah, yeah, yeah
05 Black (05:43)
Sheets of empty canvas, untouched sheets of clay,
Her legs spread out before me as her body was still.
All five horizons revolved around her soul as the Earth to the Sun.
Now the air I tasted and breathed has taken a turn.
Ooh, and all I taught her was everything.
Ooh, I know she gave me all that she wore.
And now my bitter hands shake beneath the clouds of what was everything.
All the pictures have all been washed in black,
Tattooed everything...
I take a walk outside,
I'm surrounded by some kids at play.
I can feel their laughter, so why do I sear?
And twisted thoughts that spin round my head,
I'm spinning, oh, I'm spinning...
How quick the sun can drop away,
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, yeah.
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life,
I know you'll be a star in somebody else's sky,
But why, why, why can't it be, why can't it be mine?
06 Jeremy (05:19)
At home, drawing pictures
Of mountain tops
With him on top
Lemon yellow sun
Arms raised in a V
And the dead lay in
Pools of maroon below
Daddy didn't give attention
Oh, to the fact
That mommy didn't care
King Jeremy the wicked
Oh ruled his world
Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke in class today
Clearly I remember
Picking on the boy
Seemed a harmless little fuck
Oh, but we unleashed a lion
Gnashed his teeth and
Bit the recess lady's breast
How could I forget?
And he hit me
With a surprise left
My jaw left hurting
Oooh dropped wide open
Just like the day
Oh like the day I heard
Daddy didn't give affection, no
And the boy was something
That mommy wouldn't wear
King Jeremy the wicked
Oh, ruled his world
Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke in class today
Whoa... (x15)
Try to forget this
(Try) to forget this
(Try) to erase this
From the black board
Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke in class today
Jeremy spoke in, spoke in...
Jeremy spoke in, spoke in...
Jeremy spoke in class today
Whoa (x25)
Whoa
Whoa
Whoa
yeah yeah!
07 Oceans (02:41)
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
Glide me towards...
You know something's left
And we're all allowed
To dream of the next
Oh, ohh the next, time we touch...
Oooh...
Oooh...
Oooh...
Oooh...
You don't have to stray
Tho oceans away
Waves roll in my thoughts
Hold tight the ring...
The sea will rise...
Please stand by the shore...
Oh, oh, oh, I will be...
I will be there once more...
Oooh...
Oooh...
Oooh...
Oooh...
Uh huh, oh yeah...
Uh huh, oh yeah...
08 Porch (03:30)
what the fuck is this world
Running to, you didn't
leave a message at least I
could have heard your voice one last time.
daily minefield, this could
be my time, by you?
would you hit me?
would you hit me?.......ohhhhhhhh oh oh
all the bills go by, and
initiatives are taken up
by the middle, there ain't gonna be any middle any more
and the cross i'm bearing home
ain't indicative of my place
left the porch
left the porch......ohhhhh oh
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
walk beside me
I just need to say...
hear my name
take a good look
this could be the day
hold my hand
lie beside me
i just need to say
I could not take a-just one day
I know that i would not ever touch you
hold you
feel you
ever hold...........
never again never again hey hey yeah
09 Garden (04:58)
She don't wander in...don't wander in here, she...
She don't wander in here...don't wander in here...
The direction of the eye, so misleading
The defection of the soul, nauseously quick
I don't question, our existence
I just question, our modern needs
She don't wander in...don't wander in here, she...
She don't wander in here...
I will walk...with my hands bound
I will walk...with my face blood
I will walk...with my shadow flag
Into your garden, garden of stone...yeah...
After all is done, and we're still alone
I won't be taken, yet I'll go...with my hands bound
I will walk...with my face blood
I will walk...with my shadow flag
Into your garden, garden of stone
I don't show...I don't share...
I don't need, yeah...What you have to give...
Oooh, I will walk...with my hands bound
I will walk...with my face blood
I will walk...with my shadow flag
Into your garden, garden...oh...
I will walk with my hands bound
I will walk into your garden, garden of stone...
I don't know...I don't care
I don't need, yeah...need to live...yeah, yeah, yeah, oh...
Uh huh huh... (8x)
10 Deep (04:18)
On the edge windowsill
Ponders his maker
Ponders his will
To the street below
He just ain't nothin'
But he's got a great view
And he sinks a needle deep
Can't touch the bottom
In too deep
Can't touch the bottom
On the edge of a
Know-nothing town
Feeling quite superior
The aged come
To the sky above
He just ain't nothin'
But he's got a great view
And he sinks a burning knife deep
Can't touch the bottom
In too deep
Can't touch the bottom
In too deep
On the edge of a
Christmas clean love
Young virgin from heaven visiting
To the man above her
She just ain't nothing
She doesn't like the view
Doesn't like the view
Doesn't like the view
But he sinks himself deep
Can't touch the bottom
In too deep
Can't touch the bottom
Can't touch the bottom
Deep
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Other reviews
By charles
This is definitely one of the cornerstone albums of the grunge era, one of the three masterpieces alongside Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' and Soundgarden’s 'Sperunknown.'
The two-minute solo in 'Alive' is chilling... the lyrics of 'Jeremy' are very harsh, cruel... so much so that in ’91 in America, they led to many teenage suicides.
By Castaldo
If you consider it 'grunge', you are just misinformed.
Eddie Vedder... would become the messiah of wild rock, rising to rival Kurt Cobain in just a few months.
By Mariaelena
"The scream of rage from Eddie Vedder’s incredible and perfect voice remains fresh even 14 years after its release, listening to it now feels timeless."
"You feel [the tracks] penetrate your skin and flow through your veins like an electric shock... culminating in a multiple musical orgasm ranging from platonic to concrete."
By joe strummer
"If Nirvana's album was the contemplation of pain, this is the way out of it."
"Black and Jeremy are probably the absolute peak of Pearl Jam and, in my opinion, of the entire Grunge movement."
