Enough praises have been shouted about
Vs. being one of the greatest rock records of all time, but
is enough really enough? Well, apparently not. If there is an album
that is a true representative of modern rock music, it is this one,
and the more is said about it the better.
Vs. was a part of one of rock music’s most prolific and most
brilliant phases — the grunge boom. Most of the classic albums in
modern rock were created during the period of 1990 to 1995, and
Vs. was a part of this explosion of great rock records.
What makes
Vs. so special? To start with, there are the singles.
Vs. is a rare record in that it has huge hit singles, none
of which were “officially” released and none of which has a video.
“Go,” “Daughter,” “Animal,” and “Rearviewmirror” are eternal rock
anthems, but the band never released them individually. As a matter
of fact, the record is full of unforgettable anthems. From start to
finish,
Vs. is full of tracks that sound like selections from a
“best of…” compilation.
Vs. is less polished but more mature than
Ten, Pearl Jam’s debut. This album is heavier and less
refined, the closest to a punk record the band ever made. The
tracks scream aloud in all fury as if there is a maddening agony
inside each of them that has to be let out.
With cuts like “Blood,” “Rats,” and “Leash,” this deep distress
seems too obvious with the presentation, but the more pensive
numbers — “Daughter” and especially “Indifference” — give the
greatest impact of this juggernaut with their hauntingly somber but
equally anguished demeanors.
These days, it is almost impossible to find a great grunge
record; grunge is dead, and its offshoots like emo are doing little
to nothing to keep this great genre going proud and strong.
However, grunge produced albums that are timeless and still sound
as inspiring as they did when they were released.
Vs. is an ageless record, and a good way to remind
intelligent listeners of rock that though it may seem like it,
grunge never truly died.
