Alive

Ten arrived in August 1991, one month before Nevermind, and together the two records ended one era of rock and began another. Pearl Jam were the more traditional of the two — more rooted in classic rock, more melodic, more willing to be earnest — and Ten became one of the best-selling debut albums in rock history.

Alive was written by Eddie Vedder about discovering the man he thought was his father was his stepfather, and that his biological father had died. Vedder's voice at its most expansive, Mike McCready's guitar solo among the most memorable of the decade.

Pearl Jam's refusal to make videos, their Ticketmaster fight, their decision to keep ticket prices low — all of it speaks to a band that took seriously the responsibilities that came with the platform grunge gave them.