Inspired by our over-complaining (I am included) about how Eddie Vedder’s new output is comparing with the larger output across the last well almost 40 years, I am going to work through an extended bloated Pearl Jam related journey including side bands, solo albums, and band material. We rank as we go along (see the Elvis Costello thread for reference). I will do my best to go in order. This will be epic, all encompassing, and probably insufferable at times. Perfect for RM.

The basic rule of thumb so this doesn’t take the rest of our known lives is studio material only. Special deluxe versions count, but only those included as b-sides and not the live releases that accompany them (ie, Unplugged and Live at the Orpheum are out, but Evil Little Goat as part of Ten is in). Some of this will require physical sources or YouTube or some other way to find it since some of this is not on Spotify. I will note that when I get there and try to provide a source to help (or all of you can try to do the same if l fail). This probably still will take a while, so let’s enjoy the ride - I am already regretting this.

Godspeed

Deranged Diction - Life Support/No Art, No Cowboys, No Rules

Despite the fact that this wasn’t released/reissued until much later, this was largely recorded first so this is where we start (I found it on YouTube). Immediate admission is that I am not particularly a huge punk/hardcore fan, and while this sounds good for that kind of music, it doesn’t really do much for me. Too Late, which closes the Life Support side, was far and away my favorite song here, and where some of the intros and bridges sound like they could have been on albums Jeff Ament would later be part of, many of the songs sort of run together for me. I was surprised though how talented they seemed for a bunch of kids seemingly playing for the hell of it. So there’s that. I am sure a hardcore fan here could really illuminate this better than I can.

Does Soundgarden count?

Already did a Soundgarden journey last year so umm…not including them. Plus it could get pretty meta without some limits. For instance, we’re not including Malfunkshun since no one in that band got to Pearl Jam right?

They were ok i guess, im not a huge hardcore fan, but there were some cool elements to it.

Green River - Come On Down

Really, this is not as different from Deranged Diction than I remembered. Largely punk rock with some elements of metal at times, we probably all know here the significance of this EP for Seattle music purposes. There are a few really fantastic songs here, like the more well known Come On Down & Swallow My Pride, but also Ride of Your Life, Corner of My Eye, and the fantastic demo I didn’t recall on prior listens, Your Own Best Friend.

Green River - Come On Down
Deranged Diction - Life Support / No Art, No Cowboys, No Rules

Fully agree on not including Malfunkshun. Must be PJ members in the band.

Huuuuuge fan of Green River.

Its Mudhoney 1.0 in some ways, and it also feels kinda close to Janes Addiction in some ways. I agree with the metal side too. Fuck i just love them.
The Sub Pop remixes are a must.

We’re going with the Deluxe Editions! And yes, I do like Green River a lot more than Deranged Diction. Perhaps it is the Mark Arm familiarity, but I also think Jeff’s bass is much more prominent here.

I am actually really excited to hear the Pearl Jam albums in the context of the other releases. A new way to experience them!

what is this madness

Green River - Dry As A Bone (Deluxe Edition)

Originally an Ep, the Deluxe Edition plays like a long album. By this point, Green River leans more into the metal elements of its sound, but a bit slowed down from the frenetic pace of a pure metal album. This seems like a big step up to me, a band that just sounds quite a bit more comfortable. All of the songs off the original EP are pretty fantastic, with This Town and Unwind particularly great. On the extended Deluxe Edition, Searchin’, Hanging Tree, Bleeding Sheep, and the songs off Deep Six, 10000 Things and Your Own Best Friend, absolute kill.

Green River - Dry As A Bone (Deluxe Edition)
Green River - Come On Down
Deranged Diction - Life Support / No Art, No Cowboys, No Rules

First Green River song i heard was Aint Nothin To do, it was a compilation that Charles Peterson put out and it came with his glorious Screaming Life photo book.

A treasure.

Huh.

everything that featured a band member pre pearl jam (excluding soundgarden) is just terrible

Hard disagree (as you have and will see).

The only just terrible thing is this thread title