Wayne leads the riffing on Pearl Jam, “Ten” (Once / Why Go / Jeremy / Oceans) ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Theme from "Home Improvement" STAFF PICKS: “Wild Hearted Son” by The Cult — Brian. “Heavy Fuel” by Dire Straits — Rob. “Three Strange Days” by School of Fish — Bruce. “Winds of Change” by the Scorpions — Wayne. LAUGH TRACK: “Things that Make You Go, Hmmmm....” by C+C Music Factory.
Bursting out of what was becoming the Seattle scene Pearl Jam achieved mainstream success with its debut album, anachronistically named Ten. The popularity of the album was slow coming, but has shown a staying power over the decades. Often identified with the grunge movement, and considered highly influential, Pearl Jam nevertheless defies labels. Their strong melodies and melancholy, open lyrics evoke not only grunge, but metal, alternative rock, and straightforward hard rock.
Join us as we focus on what Wayne considers "the month that changed rock and roll."
“Once”
This is the first track, and leads with a strong guitar riff and Vedder's powerful voice.
“Why Go”
This is the second track. Though considered a part of "the grunge bandwagon," Pearl Jam's album was recorded before Nirvana's “Nevermind” hit the charts.
“Jeremy”
A compelling song written about a middle school boy who committed suicide in class. Eddie Vedder read about the story in the Dallas Morning News and was inspired to write Jeremy.
“Oceans”
This is a deeper cut, “The sea will rise, please stand by the shore, oh, oh, oh, I will be, I will be there once more.”
“Home Improvement” - theme
Tim Allen's very successful sitcom debuted this month.
“Wild Hearted Son” by the Cult
Brian says this track and album was inspired by the plight of the Native American. The picture used on the cover of The Cult's album resulted in a $61 million lawsuit.
“Heavy Fuel” by Dire Straits
Mark Knopfler leading his group in one of the last hits of his Dire Straits days before going solo. Rob gets a chuckle out of the song ironically extolling the virtues of “cigarettes, hamburgers, Scotch, lust, money, and violence.”
“Three Strange Days” by School of Fish
Bruce shares this one-hit wonder from a short-lived alt rock band — leads off with a buzzing guitar over a straightforward percussion beat.
“Winds of Change” by the Scorpions
Wayne closes out the Staff Picks with this pick — inspired by the opening of the Soviet Union, and the failed coup that would bring about that empire's demise.
“Things that Make You Go, Hmmmm....” by C+C Music Factory
We take this hip hop song with its tongue-in-cheek approach to life events as our cue to wrap up this week's podcast.