When an artist enters the studio, it is impossible to predict how the album cycle will unfold. It may be enjoyable for the first few minutes of jamming. But the moments when nothing comes together drive bands insane, as they struggle with all their might to find something worth recording. Pearl Jam had always taken their time releasing albums. But the pressure behind Vs. was enough to cause Eddie Vedder to crack under the circumstances.
Vedder was only a fan of some of the rock star ethos even before the band got their foot in the door. The past decade has crammed as many phony rockstars as possible onto MTV. Vedder was quite happy to fade into the background of the rock underground. He thought that any chance of him being in a rock band was not in his future.
When an artist enters the studio, it is impossible to predict how the album cycle will progress. It may be fun for the first few minutes of jamming. Bands can struggle to find something worth recording when things don’t go as planned. Pearl Jam has always taken their time releasing albums. However, Eddie Vedder cracked under the pressure of Vs.
Before joining the band, Vedder enjoyed some aspects of the rock star lifestyle. MTV has been inundated with phony rockstars over the last decade. Vedder was content to fade into the background of the rock underground. He thought that any chance of him being in a rock band was not in his future.
The band had the option of moving to more comfortable studios. But Vedder felt even more uncomfortable working in such lush surroundings. He was working in the same incredible surroundings as Hollywood studios. Vedder was constantly on the verge of collapsing at the studio, doing his best to keep all of his negative energy for the record.
Once the album was finished, Vedder recalled having a massive breakdown. He thinks they had made a mistake, telling SiriusXM, “I had a breakdown in the kitchen, ‘What is going to happen here?‘.” [Producer] Brendan O’Brien assured me it would be fine. He said, ‘We’re not ready to release it; we’ll make a few changes,’ which we did.”
As much as Vedder may have had reservations about the album, it’s easy to hear that frustration in the final mix of Vs. After feeling uneasy about being the world’s biggest band, the punk-rock restlessness throughout the album features some of Vedder’s most raucous vocals on any project, able to switch between the smooth singing of ‘Daughter‘ and the screams of ‘Blood‘.
Even during the mixing process, Vedder made a point of avoiding obvious singles. He rejected the song ‘Better Man‘ because it was too pop-friendly in comparison to the rest of the album. Eddie Vedder may not have intended to become the next go-to heartthrob for a generation of rock fans. But he could at least have control of the albums that he decided to make in response.
