Pearl Jam then and now: Vs. and today

“I will scream my lungs out till it fills this room / How much difference does it make?” This helplessness from the song “Indifference” epitomized early 90s music found few better poster boys than Eddie Vedder and the rest of Pearl Jam. On October 19, 1993 Pearl Jam released their second album, Vs. and it somehow lived to the expectations set by their monumental debut album, Ten (1991). Unlike their first album though, Vs. displayed a brilliant contrast between anger and sorrow; right when an incredibly heavy song finished, a beautiful acoustic ballad would begin. This balance, in my opinion, is what elevated Pearl Jam to the next level. This album proved that they were not just another angry Seattle band. With this album, they had officially separated themselves from being another Nirvana–type band.

Not only this, but the songs themselves were massively successful. From the rock anthems like “Dissident” and “Rearviewmirror” to slower pieces like “Daughter” and “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town”, this album has an abundance of classics. Twenty-five years later, if you or anyone you know has not listened to this album yet, I recommend it; it may not be appropriate for a happy day, but for right after you bombed an exam or had a bad day at work. It may not be a total cure for feeling bad, but it is definitely an outlet for any raw emotions.

Today, Pearl Jam is still around. They have an album planned to release next year (their first since 2013)! Very few details are out, but they have released a protest single earlier in the year (“Can’t Deny Me”). Nevertheless, the prospect for an upcoming tour is absolutely incredible and any Pearl Jam fan would be doing themselves a disservice if they do not keep up with the new album and tour.