Pearl Jam Ten Redux CD - Addition by Subtraction

I started high school in the fall of 1991. During that school year I discovered the following albums: Pearl Jam's Ten, Nirvana's Nevermind, Soundgarden's Badmoterfinger and Alice In Chain's Facelift (and Dirt the next year). Before that time I listened to my share of hair metal bands like Poison as well as early hip-hop/rap music from NWA, Too-Short and Ice-T. Needless to say, 1991-1992 was an awakening for me regarding music. I am not, however, someone who thinks that the greatest music ever written was when I was in high school. In fact, I'm constantly on the lookout for new music (like Your Vegas and The Parlor Mob which I have found recently). I do still follow Pearl Jam, U2 and Chris Cornell from Soundgarden (except his last album which I thought was awful from the 30 second clips on iTunes). For the most part, they have put out some music that runs the range between good and bad. However, what Pearl Jam has done with their first album, Ten, not only impressed me, it made me appreciate it even more.

The release includes a re-mastered copy of the original recordings - which is nice, I guess, but since I already have the album it isn't a big deal. The second CD is what makes this package great. It includes a re-mixed version of Ten from their long-time collaborator Brendan O'Brien. The re-mixes do more than just change things around so they can make more money from completists.  Rather, they add so much to the recordings as to re-define them. I have listened to the original recordings so much that I know them by heart. So, I could really tell the difference between the two. What I was struck with is how much better the re-recordings are over the originals. There is more intensity to the songs, more clarity, and it doesn't sound like it was recorded in the early 90's. The new mixes have improved Ten so much, that whenever I listen to it in the future, it will be the redux verion that I play.

There is a lesson here if you are in communication and presentations. The original Ten utilized a lot of re-verb and noise in an attempt to make it sound "big." The new, cleaner version got rid of a lot of that abstraction and filler so the actual music could fill that space. The result is a much better album. You should do the same thing when it comes to your communications. Once you think you have finished your presentation, take a break from it. Let a little time pass. Then, later, go back to it and fix all the things you missed before. Are you including things that are just adding noise to your slides? Can you eliminate some things that will actually add impact to your presentation? My guess is that you can. All of us think that we can't go wrong by including too much. In all actuality, it is probably just creating noise to your speech which prevents your presentation from having its full impact.

I was very impressed with the Ten Redux CD and am glad that I picked it up. In terms of simplification, do what they did for yourself and your presentations. Don't just put it together and think it is good enough. Revisit it to see if there is a way you can eliminate some of the noise to make it better. Create a demand for your speeches and presentations.

Travis

Comments

[Brett Duncan, MarketingInProgress.com]

First, I felt like I was reading my own bio as you talked about music in high school. I'll never forget hearing Soundgarden for the first time, and I wore my cassette of Ten out.

Second, looks like I gotta buy this new version.

Third, I would daresay that there is NEVER a time when trimming down/simplifying your message for the sake of clarity doesn't work and isn't needed. Designers talk a lot about white space, and we communicators need that white space, too, so our point (not points) really sticks out.

[Travis Dahle]

Brett,

I would definitely recommend picking up the new version, it is well worth it. They also put out a special edition with a few LP's and a bunch of other stuff, but it was around $140...so I decided on the cheaper route...besides, like you I've worn things out..this is my third Ten CD I've had to buy!

Travis

[Joel]

Thanks for this honest review. I was on the fence when I saw the rerelease in the iTunes store last week. I figured it was just what you said, a way to get more money from completists. I still have my original CD from '91, though I ripped a digital copy years ago. It looks like I will have to pick this one up now.