not lolcats, but
Pearl Jam to Reissue Ten Four Different Ways
Various versions contain "MTV Unplugged" DVD, replica of original demo cassette
Pearl Jam's
Ten was the album that launched the band's career and, unfortunately, the careers of endless Pearl Jam imitators. But Eddie Vedder and co. will hearken back to a time before Nickelback by reissuing their 1991 debut in four different editions via
Legacy Recordings on March 24.
The most basic of these
Ten reissues is called the Legacy Edition. It features one CD with the original album remastered and another CD with the album both remastered and remixed by producer Brendan O'Brien. The second disc also includes six bonus tracks: "Brother", "Just a Girl", "State of Love and Trust", "Breath and a Scream", "2,000 Mile Blues", and "Evil Little Goat".
The Deluxe Edition has everything in the Legacy Edition but expands upon it by including a DVD featuring Pearl Jam's "MTV Unplugged" performance from 1992. The "Unplugged" show has never been commercially released before, and this DVD includes a performance of "Oceans" that was never aired.
Then there's the Vinyl Collection edition of the reissue, which is like the Legacy Edition without the bonus tracks and on vinyl: one LP with the original
Ten remastered and one LP with
Ten remastered and remixed by Brendan O'Brien.
Finally, there's the mother lode: the Super Deluxe Edition. This one collects everything in the Deluxe Edition and the Vinyl Collection but adds a couple very important things: a live set recorded at Seattle's Magnuson Park from September 20, 1992 called
Drop in the Park on two vinyl LPs, and a replica of "Momma-Son", Pearl Jam's original demo cassette featuring "Alive", "Once", and "Footsteps". The package also includes a recreation of Vedder's composition notebook with replica notes, images, and other rare memorabilia.
Here's what the Super Deluxe Edition looks like:
All of these reissues feature re-designed artwork overseen by bassist Jeff Ament, who was also the art director for the original
Ten artwork. The cover of the new version of
Ten can be seen at the top of this story.
Even better news for Jam fans: These reissues are just the first releases in a two-year catalog reissue campaign leading up to Pearl Jam's 20th anniversary in 2011.
regardless of what people think of their music and whatever jokes you come up with, how often does your favorite band do this much for their fan base?
