Daughter [Single] - Pearl Jam (CD 1995)

If you ve read any of my other reviews on Pearl Jam you ll know that Ten was my favorite release from the band, that Vs was a pale comparison and that anything after that just doesn t cut it in my books. That s not to say that I think they sold out but rather they failed to put 100% into their music. While some of the more recent music has some grunge in there you really have to dig to find it. Oh take me back to the days of ripped jeans and flannel .

This CD single is rather skimpy, with only three songs on it and having a run time of less than thirteen minutes; one might wonder why someone would fork out cold hard cash for it. Simple, two live song. Well, it doesn t hurt that you are a fan of the music [time specific of course] and feel the need to have everything the band puts out.

Specifics

This CD single is packaged in a slim-line jewel case, which gives it a nice look setting it aside from the usual jewel cases, but not providing much protection against damage. The copy I own is imported from Australia [PJ038] and set me back about $12.99 USD. Much like my previous review of the Oceans maxi-single this price was from roughly 8 years ago so please don t be shocked if the list price is much higher or lower if you go hunting for this.

Tracks

Daughter 3:56

Straight from the studio version, Daughter makes a new sound for Pearl Jam, sure there is some dirt in there but it has a more streamlined sound. The lyrics are impeccable and true to form for the band members past efforts but the presentation seems a bit watered down. There s still some grunge left in the boys but it s hidden under a pop masquerade, thank god that the live tracks pack a better punch than this studio track or the whole CD may have been a wash.

One personal note, the lyrics are a bit darker than the music. This is one aspect that the band manages to cling to even the recent releases still have powerful lyrics, the delivery however leaves much to be desired.

The shades go down, it's in her head
Painted room...can't deny there's something wrong...


Blood 3:33 Live

Not this is what a live track should sound like. Frenzied, loud, a bit distorted and generally carrying a pis_sed off tone. Vedder screams a majority of the lyrics and I am still wondering where this song was on the nights song line up because if it was near the beginning of the set I can t understand how he wasn t spitting blood that s how intense this song is. The music is great but gets lost in the shuffle it seems like the band is just venting frustrations during this track loud and angry just the way it was meant to be. No intro or ending lines from Vedder [introducing the song or saying goodnight etc] and no crowd response.

Stab it down, one way needle, pulled so slowly
Drains and spills, soaks the pages, fills their sponges

Blood was recorded November 5, 1993 in Indio, California.



Yellow Ledbetter 5:14

Much controversy surrounds this song, not so much the song but the exact origin of the song. Several friends argue with me almost weekly that this song debuted on the B-side of the Jeremy single while I disagree and say it was from an earlier release but under a different title. In any even, the studio version can also be found on a CD called Rare Tracks released in 1994.

This version is extreme there is an introduction by Vedder as well as the crowd s response. The song is about 30 seconds longer than the studio track and if you are a Pearl Jam fan you must possess this CD for this song alone. It s a departure from the gruff and untamed side the band shows more often than not almost a ballad almost. More impressive than the crystal clear recording are the way the music, vocals and lyrics completely compliment each other. None rob the other of any thunder and there s no competition going on. At the end of the track Vedder says See you tomorrow, good night, thanks Somehow I expected a little more from him as well as the crowd.

Unsealed on a porch a letter sat.

Yellow Ledbetter was recorded November 6, 1196 in Mesa, Arizona


The Breakdown

While this release has only three tracks to it it is still worth the price tag. Well, that s my opinion about it anyway. Like the Oceans maxi-single, this is a no frills release, no stickers, perks, lyrics [other than a brief blurb of daughter on the inside of the sleeve] and no extra photos.

Being a fan of Pearl Jam I had to have this and at the time I didn t think twice about the cost of the CD verses the amount of music contained on it. If you consider yourself a fan, be it early stuff or more recent releases then I would highly recommend you picking this up the live tracks are perfect in every way and show the different sides of the bands abilities, talents and overall ability to show many different faces. Fans of Ten and Vs should hunt this down and take care of it.

If you are trying to find this please be aware that there are several different copies of this single, the most common is the United States single [CD Now is selling this for $3.99] but the imports go for much more. While the song line up remains the same, they were manufactured in different countries and have small usually unnoticed - differences. Example: My copy is stamped with the Epic logo and manufactured in Australia by Sony with a date of 1993 stamped on the CD, while the US single is dated 1994 under the production of Sony / Columbia. It s the little things like this that keep you from getting ripped off.


Stats

UPC Number: 9 399766 002023
Sub Class: 660020 2
Release Date: Fall 1993
Total Play Time: 12:43
Parent CD: Vs.

As always, thanks for the read!

^V^ Freak ^V^