The grunge era was nearing its dawn whenPearl Jamformed from the ashes of Seattle band Mother Love Bone, whose singer died of a heroin overdoseshortly before their debut album was to be released.
Taking a chance on an untried singer from the San Diego area, the group rebranded with Eddie Vedder writing all of the lyrics on their debut album,Ten. Released in August 1991, the record took some timeinching its way toward the upper reaches of the charts, eventually stopping at No. 2.
Over the next five years, Pearl Jam released three more albums,each making it to No. 1. (All of their albums have reached the Top 5; they’vealsohadadditional No. 1 LPs in the 2000s.)
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But as grunge faded from mainstream view, the band sharpened its focus, flipping its guitar-based music towarddarker, odder shades. Art-rock, experimental noise, back-to-basics punk and folk have all found their way intotheir albums over the years, as you’ll note in the list of Pearl Jam Albums Ranked below.
Duringthat time, they survived the grunge era to become one of the new century’s great rock ‘n’ roll bands. Continuous touring and persistent ambition in the studio have kept them relevant as so many of their peers have faded into obscurity. Finding a balancebetween givingtheir legions of fans the muscular hardrock they’ve come to expectwhile feedingtheir collective creative aspirations, Pearl Jam has extended their legacybeyond ’90s grunge.
Pearl Jam Albums Ranked
They survived the grunge era to become one of the great rock ‘n’ roll bands of the new century.
Gallery Credit: Michael Gallucci