Alive

by

Pearl Jam

Edit

This has been like the Golden Fleece to me since I got into Pearl Jam about 7 or 8 years ago. This is the only place you can find (that I know of) the version of "Even Flow" from the music video. The live/rerecorded versions of the first two singles Pearl Jam released are among the best music I have heard. Both of them far surpass their studio counterpart, and both can be found on this cd. this is an absolute must for any completist, or even if you just loved PJ's first record, Ten. The other tracks, Wash, a beautiful balad, and Dirty Frank, A Chilli Peppers-esqu rocker, are worth the price of the record alone.

Review edit:

This review was originally written for the Alive EP, which is an import available right here at Amazon.com for around $25. If you are viewing this review from the page for the U.S. Alive single, I give that 5 stars and suggest that you get the Alive EP insted if you can. Now, on to the review of the Alive EP.

First of all, you might be wondering what this EP contains. Essentially, you get:

1) The "video version" of Alive - different from the album version, because the video featured a live performance of the song. 2) The "video version" of Even Flow - different from the album version because it features Dave Abruzzezze on drums instead of Dave Krusen, who played drums on Ten. Also, it starts with a scream by Eddie and finishes with some additional vocals dubbed into the song at the end. (Of course, both Alive and Even Flow are audio tracks; there are no videos included on this CD)

3) Dirty Frank - Pearl Jam meets the Chili Peppers... a really cool song, and the lyrics are a hoot!

4) Wash - a great song all around, very slow and reflective. Of all songs on Ten, it's probably closest to Release and Oceans.

5) A cool insert with handwritten lyrics to Dirty Frank, lyrics to other songs in both English and Japanese, pictures, and some other cool stuff.

So, should you buy this CD? Well, I was lucky enough to find a copy of it in a used CD store for $4. But I don't think that it's worth $25, hence the 3 star rating. If you really must have Dirty Frank and Wash, studio versions of these songs are available on other singles from Ten... I think Dirty Frank is on Even Flow, and Wash is on the regular Alive. You can also get the live version of Wash on the Pittsburgh official bootleg.

Anyhow, get this CD if you can afford it and really don't mind spending $25 on 4 songs.