Pearl Jam's "Release"

April/04/2009 Filed in: music reviews


For nearly 20 years and running, I've been listening to Pearl Jam's album "Ten." There's a good chance you have been too. "Ten" has become on of the 30-something generation's touchstone albums, defining of your "young adulthood," a time when many of us are opening up to the power of music in new ways. The records we hear in this fertile period tend to stick with us over the long haul, becoming emblematic and representative of something larger than itself. Pearl Jam's debut album "Ten," along with "Nevermind," "Blood Sugar Sex Magic," "Ritual de lo Habitual" and "Badmotofinger."

The song "Release" is the closing track, winding things down after 10 tracks of unbelievably passionte and driving rock 'n roll. It started a tradition of P. Jam ending most of their album with a seriously smoldering slow jam that highlights the pleading sincerity of Eddie Vedder. We bring it to your attention now because P. Jam have recently released a remastered/remixed version of "10," with new renditions of oldish classics handled by Brendan O'Brien, their long-time producer. I'm curious to hear which version you like the best, and to make things more interesting, I've tossed in 2 live versions too. If you have any feedback on the different takes on "Release," or on P. Jam and "Ten" in general, leave yer thoughts in the comments.

Release (1992)

Release (2009)

Release (Live in Chicago 2003)

Release (Live at Bonaroo 2008)

(Click to play)

e worldAnd here's a bonus track, also from the "Ten" release set -- great counterpoint to four listens of "Release":

Breath and a Scream (1992)

Release : Lyrics by Eddie Vedder

Father...ooh...oh...oh...
I see the world, feel the chill
Which way to go, windowsill
I see the worlds on a rocking horse of time
I see the verse in the rain
Ohh...ohh...ohh...ohh...

Oh, dear dad, can you see me now
I am myself, like you somehow
Ill ride the wave where it takes me
Ill hold the pain...
Release me...
Ohh...ohh...ohh...ohh...

Oh, dear dad, can you see me now
I am myself, like you somehow
Ill wait up in the dark for you to speak to me
Ill open up...
Release me...
Release me (3x)
Ohh...ohh...ohh...ohh...
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