Pearl Jam to re-release 'Ten'

by Marcus on Dec 11 2008, 11:00AM

We've never posted a Pearl Jam story on the Vine. Maybe because they're Dads but more because their latter day output has been dross. Still...hell there's always soft spot for the band who caused riots on their first visit to Australia. Consider this a "Where are they now?"

On the cusp of releasing their debut record, that's where. Huh? Yes the band are re-releasing Ten, their debut album that launched the Seattleites to worldwide superstar status as well as usher in the Grunge era alongside Nirvana and Soundgarden. In doing so they'll be releasing four different versions of the album (they couldn't think of ten?) including a completely remixed and remastered version care of latter day producer Brendan O'Brien. Infamously Ten is saddled with a muddy, digital reverb drenched mix that harks back to more classic rock times than the drier sounding crunch of their punk contemporaries such as Nirvana. So the modern update should come as fascinating news for diehards. If they've nothing better on.

In an interview with Billboard, O'Brien explains that he wasn't so hot on the idea at first.

"The original 'Ten' sound is what millions of people bought, dug and loved, so I was initially hesitant to mess around with that," says O'Brien of the album, which has sold 9.58 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and vaulted Pearl Jam to global superstardom. The Recording Industry Association of America has certified it for U.S. shipments of 12 million copies. "After years of persistent nudging from the band, I was able to wrap my head around the idea of offering it as a companion piece to the original -- giving a fresh take on it, a more direct sound."

There will be four editions of the re-release.

The "Legacy" edition of "Ten" adds a DVD of Pearl Jam's previously unreleased 1992 performance on "MTV Unplugged," including a never-aired version of "Oceans." The audio has been remixed in 5.1 surround sound. Fans can also opt for a double-vinyl version featuring the original "Ten" on one LP and O'Brien's remix on the other.

The "Super Deluxe Edition," which features two CDs, a DVD and four vinyl records. It is housed in a linen-covered, slip-cased clamshell box with a replica of the bands original demo cassette. In addition, fans will receive Pearl Jam's previously unreleased Sept. 20, 1992, concert at Seattle's Magnuson Park (dubbed Drop in the Park) on two vinyl LPs and a replica of Vedder's composition notebook packed with notes, photos and memorabilia from the "Ten" era.

The "Ten" reissue is the first piece of a two-year campaign culminating with the band's 20th anniversary in 2011. Additional details have yet to be announced.

Pearl Jam is currently recording its ninth studio album.