Nothing as It Seems [Single] - Pearl Jam (CD 2000)

When it was announced earlier this year that Pearl Jam would be releasing their sixth studio album, and seventh overall, in May, I, being the incredibly large PJ fanatic that I am, got really excited upon hearing the news. But when I found out the first single, Nothing As It Seems, would be backed with Insignificance, a track also on the album, I couldn't help but feel disappointed, for a couple of reasons. For one, it seems Pearl Jam always releases true "b-sides" with their singles. These songs, usually not found anywhere else, have been some of Pearl Jam's best songs. Look at the history: Dead Man, Wash, Dirty Frank, Footsteps, Yellow Ledbetter etc.

The second reason I was very disappointed was because of the album's tracklisting being reduced. Originally, the album Binaural was listed as having 16 tracks, but about 2 weeks later the band changed it down to 13. That left 3 songs off, including a title that was intriguing many fans, a song mentioned in a Boston Globe interview by lead guitarist Mike McCready called Letter to the Dead.

So, seeing as I absolutely refuse to buy singles that only have album tracks on them, I did not rush out to the store and buy NAIS on the day it came out. But then, about 4 weeks later, I was in Tower Records, and was in the singles section. I saw an NAIS single that was numbered in the corner, which I found odd. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the imported limited edition CD single, which contained two live tracks from Pearl Jam's 1999 performance at Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit. Now granted, within an hour of the cybercast of these two performances, mp3s were already being shared by the Pearl Jam online community. But the quality was not exactly the greatest, although it was good. Now, there were two songs, both of which were the highlights of their respective nights (except for maybe Last Kiss on the second night, which was one of the most heartfelt moments I've ever witnessed) available in soundboard quality. For five bucks, I had to have it.

Footsteps, from the first night of shows, features Ed on harmonica, something that never happens on this particular song, making this performance of this song very unique, and making this song even more powerful and beautiful.

And Better Man, one of the band's biggest hits, is given acoustic treatment here, but it's what happens at the end that makes it memorable. Eddie goes into these vocal variations that will send chills up and down your spine as you listen to it, it's absolutely awesome and awe-inspiring. Eddie is showing off his voice, and the man can sing.

While I would not recommend the US version of this single to many people, I would highly recommend picking up the import version, as the two live songs are definitely worth your money, and the limited numbered edition of the single is also a nice bonus.