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Vs. is the sound of a band on fire. The same confluence of talent, passion, timing, and fate that made “grunge” the world's soundtrack also lit a short fuse beneath Pearl Jam. The band combusted between late 1992 and mid-1994, the span during which they planned, recorded, and supported their sophomore record. The spotlight, the pressure, the pace-it all nearly turned the thriving act to ash.
Eddie Vedder, the reluctant public face of the band, responded by lashing out lyrically. Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Stone Gossard, who beheld success with varying degrees of anxious satisfaction, attacked their instruments in solidarity. Dave Abbruzzese welcomed the rock-star lifestyle, and left his mark on the record with more than just potent percussion.
Vs. roils with fury-and at times, gently steams-over the trappings of fame, human faults, and societal injustice. The record is a thrashing testament to Pearl Jam's urgent creativity and greater-good interests, and the band's logistical calculations behind it drew a career-defining line in the sand. It promised the world that Pearl Jam would neither burn out nor fade away. This book weaves research, little-known details, and band members' memories into a definitive account of how Vs. set them on a path toward enduring integrity and relevance.
Eddie Vedder, the reluctant public face of the band, responded by lashing out lyrically. Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Stone Gossard, who beheld success with varying degrees of anxious satisfaction, attacked their instruments in solidarity. Dave Abbruzzese welcomed the rock-star lifestyle, and left his mark on the record with more than just potent percussion.
Vs. roils with fury-and at times, gently steams-over the trappings of fame, human faults, and societal injustice. The record is a thrashing testament to Pearl Jam's urgent creativity and greater-good interests, and the band's logistical calculations behind it drew a career-defining line in the sand. It promised the world that Pearl Jam would neither burn out nor fade away. This book weaves research, little-known details, and band members' memories into a definitive account of how Vs. set them on a path toward enduring integrity and relevance.
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139 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 9, 2022
I listened to this album about 10,000 times between 1996 and 2008 and I had no idea how many cuss words were used until Clint Brownlee spelled it all out for me. I mean, there was no warning label on the cover (Brownlee does a good job of pointing out that the band probably avoided one because they are white).
Brownlee reminded me why I listened to this album 10,000 times between 1996 and 2008. But then also makes me feel by for not having listened to it 10,000 more times since.
Surprisingly, this is the first of the 33 1/3 series that’ve read. I’ll get to others.
Brownlee reminded me why I listened to this album 10,000 times between 1996 and 2008. But then also makes me feel by for not having listened to it 10,000 more times since.
Surprisingly, this is the first of the 33 1/3 series that’ve read. I’ll get to others.
April 21, 2024
CONFESSION: despite being of the grunge generation, I have never heard a Pearl Jam album, thus Vs is my first one and I loved it!!!
Clint Brownlee's volume on the album is one packed with love for the band. Not only do we get a heartfelt dissection of the album but there's a biography of the band and good chunk of how lead singer Eddie Vedder found his newfound fame difficult. Also included are how Dave Abbruzzese quit the band. There are some pages dedicated to Pearl Jam's impact on the nascent grunge scene and how they managed to provide a model of fair ticketing to fans , plus being the originators of Record Store Day due to the band's love for vinyl. Excellent
Clint Brownlee's volume on the album is one packed with love for the band. Not only do we get a heartfelt dissection of the album but there's a biography of the band and good chunk of how lead singer Eddie Vedder found his newfound fame difficult. Also included are how Dave Abbruzzese quit the band. There are some pages dedicated to Pearl Jam's impact on the nascent grunge scene and how they managed to provide a model of fair ticketing to fans , plus being the originators of Record Store Day due to the band's love for vinyl. Excellent
April 20, 2021
"Vs." has an incredibly special place in my heart. I discovered Pearl Jam in high school and instantly became a huge fan. I've seen them live a few times (and hopefully soon once concerts resume!) and their music found me at an opportune time.
I liked this one, but not as much as the Carole King book. Maybe it's because I'm such a big Pearl Jam fan, but none of it was new information to me. I also wished the interpretations of the songs were a bit more fleshed out; I felt they were lacking a bit.
•••
Thank you Net Galley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I liked this one, but not as much as the Carole King book. Maybe it's because I'm such a big Pearl Jam fan, but none of it was new information to me. I also wished the interpretations of the songs were a bit more fleshed out; I felt they were lacking a bit.
•••
Thank you Net Galley and Bloomsbury Publishing for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
August 3, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“There's also the slight possibility that Epic's people simply didn't hear Vedder's fucks and shits - or didn't want to. Before the record was finished, they complained that the singer's vocals weren't clear enough. ‘Some person at the record company… wanted the vocals turned up,' Vedder told Melody Maker. ‘He wanted people to understand exactly what I was singing. So I told him what [the song “Animal"] was about and he said, You're right. Let's leave the vocals as they are. Maybe we don't really want people to understand’”
I think I maybe bought the album Ten on a cassette for a fiver deal around the release time (although a price tag of £14 also springs to mind… a large amount for music and my meagre pocket money at the time)? I can’t remember the exact reasoning or attraction but I do remember falling in love with the whole package - the music; the lyrics, which felt so deep and soul touching; the band as a group and it’s individual parts; the mtv videos and interviews - I loved Pearl Jam in that wonderful teenage adoration way, harder than any other band before or since. I even managed to join the fabulously generous fan club ran from way over the world at the time, in Seattle - these people were who I aspired to live like, and the direction where I wanted to go. I collected all the magazine interviews and posters that I was able to afford, and had a vhs of all the snippets that I could record from off the telly, and can still quote lines and movements from these without consciously realising. On one of the posters (I think from Kerrang magazine), there had been a spelling error, and a result a friend called the idolistic/idealistic lead singer, Eddie Vending-machine. I laughed, as we all enjoyed a good name pun, but I was also partially offended on his behalf - yup, this infatuation ran deep… but the irony was, this wasn’t seemingly what they wanted. As a band they actually seemed more into the music over the celebrity and press. The other step by step idols from the time in Nirvana seemed to be partially enjoy playing parts of the ridiculousness of the media circus, and almost courted it at times, but my picked team were more complex and emotional. You probably wouldn’t understand them (present tense purposeful) like I did…
And then the notoriously difficult second album was released. Despite it being released quite quickly after the first, life was always changing fast at the time, so I bought this one on cd, possibly even with new Saturday job Woollies discount… and oh… ahh, this was different. This felt more like 70s rock with a modern political edge, at a time where I barely understood uk politics. Where had the raw emotion, growling youth and brown corduroy jacket gone? Had I liked them as an acceptable but rebellious gateway to adulthood, and now that it felt like I was getting there too, did I need someone new again for the ultimate rebellious feeling - breakers of moulds rather than converters to the already established? Even though I enjoyed the album, the moment did feel like it had passed a bit. Ironically I was skipping to the other end of adult life and could totally see myself as the elderly woman behind the counter in a small town - it was comforting in the era of potentially staying at home with a local boyfriend and a job in retail, but it wasn’t the adventure that I wanted, and not the album that I wanted to listen to over and over.
This book wonderfully analyses this strange album, the era around the change and changing Seattle backdrop, and tackles much more about the interaction between the band, the industry scrutiny and the path that they carefully tried to maintain themselves. If you enjoyed the musical era, this one is for you, and despite my first bookshop shelf searching “oh, I wish they had the book on ‘Ten’”, no, this actually was a great insight into the mid story. Insert own rearviewmirror gag here
“There's also the slight possibility that Epic's people simply didn't hear Vedder's fucks and shits - or didn't want to. Before the record was finished, they complained that the singer's vocals weren't clear enough. ‘Some person at the record company… wanted the vocals turned up,' Vedder told Melody Maker. ‘He wanted people to understand exactly what I was singing. So I told him what [the song “Animal"] was about and he said, You're right. Let's leave the vocals as they are. Maybe we don't really want people to understand’”
I think I maybe bought the album Ten on a cassette for a fiver deal around the release time (although a price tag of £14 also springs to mind… a large amount for music and my meagre pocket money at the time)? I can’t remember the exact reasoning or attraction but I do remember falling in love with the whole package - the music; the lyrics, which felt so deep and soul touching; the band as a group and it’s individual parts; the mtv videos and interviews - I loved Pearl Jam in that wonderful teenage adoration way, harder than any other band before or since. I even managed to join the fabulously generous fan club ran from way over the world at the time, in Seattle - these people were who I aspired to live like, and the direction where I wanted to go. I collected all the magazine interviews and posters that I was able to afford, and had a vhs of all the snippets that I could record from off the telly, and can still quote lines and movements from these without consciously realising. On one of the posters (I think from Kerrang magazine), there had been a spelling error, and a result a friend called the idolistic/idealistic lead singer, Eddie Vending-machine. I laughed, as we all enjoyed a good name pun, but I was also partially offended on his behalf - yup, this infatuation ran deep… but the irony was, this wasn’t seemingly what they wanted. As a band they actually seemed more into the music over the celebrity and press. The other step by step idols from the time in Nirvana seemed to be partially enjoy playing parts of the ridiculousness of the media circus, and almost courted it at times, but my picked team were more complex and emotional. You probably wouldn’t understand them (present tense purposeful) like I did…
And then the notoriously difficult second album was released. Despite it being released quite quickly after the first, life was always changing fast at the time, so I bought this one on cd, possibly even with new Saturday job Woollies discount… and oh… ahh, this was different. This felt more like 70s rock with a modern political edge, at a time where I barely understood uk politics. Where had the raw emotion, growling youth and brown corduroy jacket gone? Had I liked them as an acceptable but rebellious gateway to adulthood, and now that it felt like I was getting there too, did I need someone new again for the ultimate rebellious feeling - breakers of moulds rather than converters to the already established? Even though I enjoyed the album, the moment did feel like it had passed a bit. Ironically I was skipping to the other end of adult life and could totally see myself as the elderly woman behind the counter in a small town - it was comforting in the era of potentially staying at home with a local boyfriend and a job in retail, but it wasn’t the adventure that I wanted, and not the album that I wanted to listen to over and over.
This book wonderfully analyses this strange album, the era around the change and changing Seattle backdrop, and tackles much more about the interaction between the band, the industry scrutiny and the path that they carefully tried to maintain themselves. If you enjoyed the musical era, this one is for you, and despite my first bookshop shelf searching “oh, I wish they had the book on ‘Ten’”, no, this actually was a great insight into the mid story. Insert own rearviewmirror gag here
May 7, 2021
Quick, entertaining read about one of my favorite albums.
My main problem is that the author claims 'Crazy Mary' was written by Lucinda Williams, but it was actually written by Victoria Williams.
My main problem is that the author claims 'Crazy Mary' was written by Lucinda Williams, but it was actually written by Victoria Williams.
February 2, 2022
A fascinating deep dive into the context and creation of one of my personal favorite albums. Brownlee is clearly a fan but is careful to not turn this into a hagiography of the band or its members. I quite enjoy the slim volumes from this book series and look forward to reading more.
August 22, 2023
A subject I love. My first 33 1/3 on my bands second album. Some good thoughts on some of the lyrics and the stress on the band at the time.
December 3, 2021
I need to start listening to Pearl Jam again. It’s been a while.
November 27, 2022
This includes a disappointing lack of original reporting, and is mostly just a lot of different ways of retelling that Eddie Vedder was suspicious of fame, and the band made a second album from that backdrop. Still, even thinly told and rehashed stories can sustain the book somewhat when they’re about an amazing album that’s fun to revisit.
April 11, 2021
This was a great trip back to the early 90s.
After reading this one, I went out and got new copies of TEN and VS on vinyl.
After reading this one, I went out and got new copies of TEN and VS on vinyl.
March 8, 2021
I have been enjoying the 33 ⅓ books for a while now, most all of them about albums I barely know anything about. I like to pick titles of music that has been on my radar but not on my playlist. This gives me the reason and opportunity to explore different great albums and listen to new artists and genres. Pearl Jam’s Vs. is not one of them.
When Vs., Pearl Jam’s sophomore album came out, I was sixteen. I had listened to Ten a little over six hundred and thirty nine thousand times by then (only a slight exaggeration), and so I was interested in this album before it even came out. I was a teenager filled with new hormones and angst, and the only thing that helped was hours and hours of music. I bought Vs. close to the release date and listened to it nonstop. I am reading this book with an intimate knowledge of the album, the time period, and I remember some of the details when they were brought up by Clint Brownlee, like the (media exaggerated) “feud” between Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain, how they released the album on vinyl a week before it was on compact disc (My teenage self actually made fun of this at the time because who will ever listen to vinyl again?), and of course the boycott of Ticketmaster. I knew these things but did not know the deeper meaning behind these events. Brownlee does a great job getting to the bottom of the emotion and pressure on the band to make an album greater than Ten and how they did not let it destroy them, even though it came very close. The entire book brought up so many memories and also enlightened me on some of the turmoil around recording it that makes me have a better understanding and appreciation of this album.
I like the structure of this book, the way that Brownlee lumps the songs into chapters by theme or meaning. I also like the exploration of the more political songs, like “Rats” and “W.M.A”, which I always knew was a major statement about racism, but I did not think much about how they were a mainstream act using their popularity to talk about justice and the unfair disparity between white and black men. I knew that I liked these songs and that they were important, but I did not know how important they were to the band, to be able to use their platform to address issues that are important to them.
There are some interesting stories filtered through the book about Vedder's attitude and behavior, about the dynamics of the band, and about the reception of the album. I listened to Vs. a few times while reading this, and I will say that reading about it opened my eyes to how much depth Eddie Vedder’s lyrics are, and I felt like I was learning new things about an old friend. This is a great addition to the 33 ⅓ books.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When Vs., Pearl Jam’s sophomore album came out, I was sixteen. I had listened to Ten a little over six hundred and thirty nine thousand times by then (only a slight exaggeration), and so I was interested in this album before it even came out. I was a teenager filled with new hormones and angst, and the only thing that helped was hours and hours of music. I bought Vs. close to the release date and listened to it nonstop. I am reading this book with an intimate knowledge of the album, the time period, and I remember some of the details when they were brought up by Clint Brownlee, like the (media exaggerated) “feud” between Eddie Vedder and Kurt Cobain, how they released the album on vinyl a week before it was on compact disc (My teenage self actually made fun of this at the time because who will ever listen to vinyl again?), and of course the boycott of Ticketmaster. I knew these things but did not know the deeper meaning behind these events. Brownlee does a great job getting to the bottom of the emotion and pressure on the band to make an album greater than Ten and how they did not let it destroy them, even though it came very close. The entire book brought up so many memories and also enlightened me on some of the turmoil around recording it that makes me have a better understanding and appreciation of this album.
I like the structure of this book, the way that Brownlee lumps the songs into chapters by theme or meaning. I also like the exploration of the more political songs, like “Rats” and “W.M.A”, which I always knew was a major statement about racism, but I did not think much about how they were a mainstream act using their popularity to talk about justice and the unfair disparity between white and black men. I knew that I liked these songs and that they were important, but I did not know how important they were to the band, to be able to use their platform to address issues that are important to them.
There are some interesting stories filtered through the book about Vedder's attitude and behavior, about the dynamics of the band, and about the reception of the album. I listened to Vs. a few times while reading this, and I will say that reading about it opened my eyes to how much depth Eddie Vedder’s lyrics are, and I felt like I was learning new things about an old friend. This is a great addition to the 33 ⅓ books.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
Pearl Jam's Vs. by Clint Brownlee, part of the 33 1/3 series, places the making of the album in the context of their exploding popularity and their reluctance to fully embrace it. While it largely covers familiar ground there is some new information here and, more important, everything is connected rather than just a bunch of anecdotes.
First, to set the record straight, Vs was released on vinyl (z53136) one week before the CD, largely because of their love of vinyl albums. While Vitalogy was more publicized for being released two weeks early, that fact has no bearing on what they did with Vs. If anyone who "knows everything" in the book states otherwise, well, they don't know everything. Enough said.
Some of the stories about song origins and recording issues may be fairly well known to their fans but largely as separate trivia bits that are told as standalone stories. Brownlee takes these events, along with some lesser known things, and weaves the story of the making of the album as well as the place the album has in the band's history. The impact of the book is not in the little anecdotes but in the larger narrative to which they belong, and the book tells that narrative very well.
I would recommend this to both Pearl Jam fans as well as the more casual music fan who remembers the 90s but might have preferred other genres. This is an important chapter in music history. I would also recommend, for Pearl Jam's more complete history, Ronen Givony's Not for You.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
First, to set the record straight, Vs was released on vinyl (z53136) one week before the CD, largely because of their love of vinyl albums. While Vitalogy was more publicized for being released two weeks early, that fact has no bearing on what they did with Vs. If anyone who "knows everything" in the book states otherwise, well, they don't know everything. Enough said.
Some of the stories about song origins and recording issues may be fairly well known to their fans but largely as separate trivia bits that are told as standalone stories. Brownlee takes these events, along with some lesser known things, and weaves the story of the making of the album as well as the place the album has in the band's history. The impact of the book is not in the little anecdotes but in the larger narrative to which they belong, and the book tells that narrative very well.
I would recommend this to both Pearl Jam fans as well as the more casual music fan who remembers the 90s but might have preferred other genres. This is an important chapter in music history. I would also recommend, for Pearl Jam's more complete history, Ronen Givony's Not for You.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
March 5, 2021
My thanks to NetGalley an Bloomsbury Academic for an advanced copy of this book.
The 33 1/3 series features some of the best writing and criticism on the creation of some of the biggest albums in musical history, from Miles Davis to The Velvet Underground and The Flaming Lips. Pearl Man's Vs. by Clint Brownlee continues that fine tradition.
Mr. Brownlee begins with his discovery of the band, Pearl Jam, his Mom telling him about a video she saw on MTV with this guy who just was amazing. From then on he was a fan paying scalpers for tickets to his very first show.
From there Mr. Brownlee covers the band, going from guys who were still learning about each other doing small shows, to opening for the biggest bands at arenas. The pressure weighed on the band especially lead singer Eddie Vedder, and carried over to and effecting their second studio album Vs.
There are plenty of behind the scenes stories, trivia and minutiae with nerdy fan information. Each song on the album is given its moment, how it was created,what it might mean, or even who it might reference. For a Peal Jam fan, the book is a must-have. However as a music fan or historian, or just for a person intrigued by the creative process I highly recommend the book also.
The 33 1/3 series features some of the best writing and criticism on the creation of some of the biggest albums in musical history, from Miles Davis to The Velvet Underground and The Flaming Lips. Pearl Man's Vs. by Clint Brownlee continues that fine tradition.
Mr. Brownlee begins with his discovery of the band, Pearl Jam, his Mom telling him about a video she saw on MTV with this guy who just was amazing. From then on he was a fan paying scalpers for tickets to his very first show.
From there Mr. Brownlee covers the band, going from guys who were still learning about each other doing small shows, to opening for the biggest bands at arenas. The pressure weighed on the band especially lead singer Eddie Vedder, and carried over to and effecting their second studio album Vs.
There are plenty of behind the scenes stories, trivia and minutiae with nerdy fan information. Each song on the album is given its moment, how it was created,what it might mean, or even who it might reference. For a Peal Jam fan, the book is a must-have. However as a music fan or historian, or just for a person intrigued by the creative process I highly recommend the book also.
March 7, 2021
Clint Brownlee's contribution to the 33 1/3 series reviewing/telling the story of Pearl Jam's Vs tells/retells the story of the remarkable 2nd album from one of America's greatest rock bands. While the early 90s had a huge influx of 'grunge' bands, Pearl Jam had continued to make music with a social and political voice.
Telling well known and lesser known stories about the making of this album, Brownlee is able to interject the voice and heart of Eddie, Stone, and Jeff. The stories of their rally against Ticketmaster and fame are legendary and this is a nice overview of their efforts.
Vs. is the first album that changed my music taste. I was deep in the boy bands of the late 80's and then someone played me "Daughter" on a Walkman while sitting in the football stands in my hometown. Nothing was ever the same. I never looked back.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Telling well known and lesser known stories about the making of this album, Brownlee is able to interject the voice and heart of Eddie, Stone, and Jeff. The stories of their rally against Ticketmaster and fame are legendary and this is a nice overview of their efforts.
Vs. is the first album that changed my music taste. I was deep in the boy bands of the late 80's and then someone played me "Daughter" on a Walkman while sitting in the football stands in my hometown. Nothing was ever the same. I never looked back.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 26, 2021
I always enjoy going behind the scenes of my favorite albums with the 33 1/3 series, but I was especially excited to read Vs. by Clint Brownlee. Pearl Jam has been one of my favorite bands since the early 90s, and Vs. is probably my favorite Pearl Jam album. So you can be sure I cranked up the album before curling up with my kindle, ready to relive the "olden days".
Of course, as a longtime fan, there was a lot in this book I already knew, but there was a lot of new information for me about the making of the album and the band dynamics. The book flowed nicely, with similarly themed songs grouped together for discussion and lots of information about the inspiration and development of each song.
This is a solid addition to the 33 1/3 series, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon with one of my favorite bands and albums. I'm grateful to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Academic for giving me that opportunity. If you love Pearl Jam, grunge, or music in general, don't miss Vs.
Of course, as a longtime fan, there was a lot in this book I already knew, but there was a lot of new information for me about the making of the album and the band dynamics. The book flowed nicely, with similarly themed songs grouped together for discussion and lots of information about the inspiration and development of each song.
This is a solid addition to the 33 1/3 series, and I thoroughly enjoyed spending an afternoon with one of my favorite bands and albums. I'm grateful to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Academic for giving me that opportunity. If you love Pearl Jam, grunge, or music in general, don't miss Vs.
December 24, 2021
Nearly every 33 1/3 book I’ve read is enjoyable, and Vs does not disappoint. Perhaps the decision makers at the publishing house felt that there is already more than enough material about Pearl Jam’s first album Ten, but I found it a bit random to devote a book (if there’s only one book to write about one Pearl Jam album) to Vs.
I was at school in a quintessential college town in the Midwest at the time, and I remember the excitement of the day Vs was released. I listened to the songs that night with friends. The songs I liked the best are probably the ones that aligned closest with Ten.
Being older and hopefully wiser now, I’m impressed by the portrait of book portrays of a band and frontman skeptical and retreating from fame. This may have not only saved the band mates from being destroyed by excess, their retreat from fame may have counterintuitively led to longer lasting relevance.
I was at school in a quintessential college town in the Midwest at the time, and I remember the excitement of the day Vs was released. I listened to the songs that night with friends. The songs I liked the best are probably the ones that aligned closest with Ten.
Being older and hopefully wiser now, I’m impressed by the portrait of book portrays of a band and frontman skeptical and retreating from fame. This may have not only saved the band mates from being destroyed by excess, their retreat from fame may have counterintuitively led to longer lasting relevance.
June 10, 2024
4.25
Vs. is my favorite Pearl Jam album and the one my dad and I bond over the most. I’m turning 30 this August. Daughter is one of the first songs I ever remember and it continues to be one of my all time favorites- my dad’s is Glorified G.
This could be in a top 25-35 albums of all time for me perhaps.
The passion behind this was great, really provided a lot of context for album creation and just the overall sentiments of the culture at the time. At first, I was worried this was gonna be like a VH1 “I Love the 90’s” circlejerk, or just be a retread of remarks my dad and his best friend made about the band’s trajectory; instead, I felt like a got a mirror. To the expression of passion for detail like me. This was my first in the series. I must admit, I was thinking about which album I could write a 33 1/3 on…
The amount of times I listened to Vs. while completing this book: 3
Vs. is my favorite Pearl Jam album and the one my dad and I bond over the most. I’m turning 30 this August. Daughter is one of the first songs I ever remember and it continues to be one of my all time favorites- my dad’s is Glorified G.
This could be in a top 25-35 albums of all time for me perhaps.
The passion behind this was great, really provided a lot of context for album creation and just the overall sentiments of the culture at the time. At first, I was worried this was gonna be like a VH1 “I Love the 90’s” circlejerk, or just be a retread of remarks my dad and his best friend made about the band’s trajectory; instead, I felt like a got a mirror. To the expression of passion for detail like me. This was my first in the series. I must admit, I was thinking about which album I could write a 33 1/3 on…
The amount of times I listened to Vs. while completing this book: 3
June 2, 2021
This is a deep dive into the Vs. record and Pearl Jam's history at the time of it's recording and release. A fast, easy read that helps to explain Pearl Jam's activism and longevity in the music industry. If you have read a lot of Pearl Jam info in the past/watched PJ20 etc. then most of this information will not be new to you and you may notice a few factual errors - most notably that Lucinda Williams did not write Crazy Mary - Victoria Williams did. Still, I enjoyed the look at such an important record.
July 23, 2021
I imagine many readers of Clint Brownlee's Pearl Jam book would already be fans. For myself, this was not the case; I'd pretty much missed grunge and the West Coast 90s scene and bought the book to learn a bit more.
That certainly happened, as Brownlee's entertaining and fact-packed monograph is a very good read, written with authority, skill, and a clear devotion to the band. But that doesn't get in the way (as it sometimes does in the 33 ⅓ series) and I found myself getting what I hoped for: insight and entertainment about a band I was unfamiliar with.
That certainly happened, as Brownlee's entertaining and fact-packed monograph is a very good read, written with authority, skill, and a clear devotion to the band. But that doesn't get in the way (as it sometimes does in the 33 ⅓ series) and I found myself getting what I hoped for: insight and entertainment about a band I was unfamiliar with.
March 28, 2021
The books in this series are engrossing, but I find that albums I listened to and loved resonate more with me.
I don't have a lot of familiarity with the Vs. album. I was a kid when it was out and definitely heard some of the songs. But it didn't become a big part of my life. I was a member of the Nirvana contingent. I did find the discussions of the rivalry between the two bands. But I just couldn't get into this book.
I really recommend this book for fans of Pearl Jam.
I don't have a lot of familiarity with the Vs. album. I was a kid when it was out and definitely heard some of the songs. But it didn't become a big part of my life. I was a member of the Nirvana contingent. I did find the discussions of the rivalry between the two bands. But I just couldn't get into this book.
I really recommend this book for fans of Pearl Jam.
February 6, 2023
Reads like a school essay. Vs. is one of my favourite albums but I had to force myself through this book. It's a mixture of very basic truth about Pearl Jam, most of which you can get from reading their wikipedia page (Eddie Vedder didn't like how fast they got famous, the ticketmaster thing, drummer problems) and lyrical analysis of the songs on Vs. Some of the interpretations left me scratching my head. As a Pearl Jam fan, it was okay, but it didn't capture any of the magic of the album.
February 9, 2023
I remember grabbing this record, so it was a pretty solid read, as you get a lot of background on the era surrounding the release of Vs. Plus, there's a lot of sufficient information on the way the band has managed themselves, whether you view that positively or negatively. Overall, it was written well, organized and easy to follow, and just enough deeper insight to keep things interesting...ultimately turning out as a satisfying read on my end of things.
September 8, 2021
As a Pearl Jam obsessive it would have been easy to read this and come away not having learned anything new or insightful, but that is not the case. The writing leaves something to be desired and while the book certainly could have been much more in-depth, it is still a worthwhile read for fans casual or otherwise, especially given its brevity.
January 28, 2023
More fan essay than scholarship, with a valiant attempt at close reading lyrics. Very good on quotations and on the historical context, especially battles with Ticketmaster and media representation of the band. History will remember the album fondly.
July 8, 2023
Very enjoyable overview of what was going on around Pearl Jam at the time of recording vs, and the recording itself
August 23, 2024
Fans of the band will love it. Vs. is a great rock album, and this book confirms it.
October 2, 2024
PJ ..enough said
Great insight into this band and this album. Wish they had more of these fore every album PJ has made
Great insight into this band and this album. Wish they had more of these fore every album PJ has made
May 5, 2025
“1,2,3,4..5 against one..”
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