Blind Melon were better than Pearl Jam

[Chip Z'Hoy]

Alright, have a good night, y'all.

[DemonFilth2001]

Well, this simply isn't true. I bought the CD. Was average at best. Nothing memorable on it besides the overplayed bumblebee song.

If that dude wasn't in a GnR video and didn't die...they'd just be another one hit Wonder. Like the Screaming Trees.

[Mister Freeze]

^^^ Well, they basically were a one-hit wonder regardless. Chip's post prompted me to pull up the debut on Spotify last night. Hadn't listened to it in years. Love the production on it. All the instruments sound crystal clear. Songs are good. They had their own vibe.

Started browsing their Wikipedia and was surprised to see the album was certified 4x Platinum. I remember them having a big moment, but not that big. The benefits of a pre-Napster, pre-streaming world, I guess.

By comparison, the follow-up didn't even make Gold. Didn't help that the singer died on tour for it. I remember the lead single ("Galaxie") getting the royal treatment on MTV, but hadn't heard it since then. Had to pull that one up too.

Anyway, we need to start a book club type thing where we revisit old albums and talk about them like old ladies.

[dmbrocker]

Nah. “No Rain”, “Dear Ol’ Dad”, and “Tones of Home” are good, but Pearl Jam buries Blind Melon overall. Let it be known…

[Tommy2Tone84]

Chip, are you okay? Are you taking drugs?

Had you said Collective Soul or Bang Tango I would’ve been all
“Right on my dude bro”

I found Blind Melon disappointing

[HoldenSSV]

Another case of "the deader he is, the better they were" syndrome. See also: Sublime.

[Tommy2Tone84]

I remember being throughly bored with them and liking Ten better at the time. Now I don’t really like either

[Bono Nettencourt]

^^^ Well, they basically were a one-hit wonder regardless. Chip's post prompted me to pull up the debut on Spotify last night. Hadn't listened to it in years. Love the production on it. All the instruments sound crystal clear. Songs are good. They had their own vibe.

Started browsing their Wikipedia and was surprised to see the album was certified 4x Platinum. I remember them having a big moment, but not that big.

That bee girl video was on every hour. That's all it took back then... remember people didn't buy singles anymore, they just bought the whole CD. Amazing how long that that went on.

Irony alert: the same guy produced both of their debut albums.

[Lobo]

The debut album did great, but how many bands can we say that about?
Plus, the singer dies on tour and that album couldnt even get past gold status? Usually theres a huge jump in sales when it comes to that.

PJs first three albums are classic. Everything after that is hit and miss but built later rep on great live shows.

PJ wins this battle every time and i can honestly say they have fallen out of favour with me over the last few years

[GreatWhiteSnake]

Not a fan of either really but it seems unlikely...

[DemonFilth2001]

Chip, are you okay? Are you taking drugs?

Had you said Collective Soul or Bang Tango I would’ve been all
“Right on my dude bro”

I found Blind Melon disappointing

Collective Soul wouldn't have been a fair comparison. They're better than most bands period.

[CrankerBait]

Blind Melon were OK. The first album was alright, and I think I actually liked the second one a little more. Maybe they could have been something special, but we'll never know.

They never came even slightly close to Pearl Jam, who remain a hugely successful recording and touring act into their fourth decade.

[GreatWhiteSnake]

They probably should have went with Def Mellon...

[kytepunches]

The only rock band worse than Pearl Jam is U2. So Blind Melon is automatically better.

[DemonFilth2001]

The only rock band worse than Pearl Jam is U2. So Blind Melon is automatically better.

[DangerZone]

Well, this simply isn't true. I bought the CD. Was average at best. Nothing memorable on it besides the overplayed bumblebee song.

If that dude wasn't in a GnR video and didn't die...they'd just be another one hit Wonder. Like the Screaming Trees.

Screaming trees had several albums and were almost grunge elders.
Mark Lanegan went on to much better things.
Not really a one hit wonder

[Chip Z'Hoy]

Chip, are you okay? Are you taking drugs?

Yes. That's why I like Blind Melon.

[Tommy2Tone84]

Chip, are you okay? Are you taking drugs?

Yes. That's why I like Blind Melon.

Ok, thank you for clarifying. You’re so strong to admit it and own up to your addiction here on the boards. Mucho admiration, mi amigo. We are all here for you, Chip.

[killeverything]

Yeah, no.

I don't particularly care for either, and it's cool to hate on PJ, because of what they became, and the Temple Creed Of The New bands that they inspired. Blind Melon doesn't have anything as close to as good as "Ten," or the singles and bootlegs before their 2nd release.

I know we're all sick of "Ten." It's like "Appetite" to where it's been played into the ground and you could never hear it again because of it. Do you remember before Pearl Jam were the flannel kings on the radio and MTV every 5 minutes, and when you first heard "Once" by the guys from Mother Love Bone? I do and that album blew my fucking mind how good it was.

Blind Melon has nothing like that.

[EyeDocOfRock]

The only rock band worse than Pearl Jam is U2. So Blind Melon is automatically better.

One of the most CORRECT things EVER mentioned on this message board !

THANK YOU !!!!

[ChipsRoach]

It would have been real interesting to see how Blind Melon would have evolved. The 2nd album is great, but it just drips of drugs. "Vernie" is about Hoon's grandma, and talks about peaking in front of her and the dip in her mouth. Hoon had a ton of talent but definitely had his demons.

[SexxAtraxxion]

Shannon Hoon was a Bon Jovi fan

cover of Wanted Dead or Alive https://youtu.be/gvJAXxgEGiY?si=IFzJc0XYyi_CRj-a

[Darrien]

I like the debut enough but Soup is what sold me on Blind Melon, it's a great fucking album! Wasn't appreciated upon release but I know it sells well on vinyl according to my local record store owner.
Even the B sides album Nico has some great tunes.

Never liked PJ so I would have to agree.

[Deputy Hedge]

At exactly the 1:50 mark of Motley Crue's "Wildside" video, Shannon Hoon can be seen - red bandana around his neck - singing along. And at the 4:42 mark, Shannon can be seen pointing at Nikki who is rolling on the stage.



https://youtu.be/4Hihge6FFVw?si=lF9IATWUiy1dUPBP

[Mister Freeze]

Shannon Hoon was a Bon Jovi fan

cover of Wanted Dead or Alive https://youtu.be/gvJAXxgEGiY?si=IFzJc0XYyi_CRj-a

Styff Kytten

Love the blonde mullet. This is evidence that if Tuff didn't hit MTV 5 minutes before hair metal died, Stevie Rachelle could've been the singer for Blind Melon.

[alexleehooker]

Pearl Jam debut has 4 or 5 stunning songs

Blind Melon debut is consistently a better listen but doesn’t have quite the same high points, but is a more cohesive single listen

I wish blind melon had officially released the electric version of ‘soul one’.

I wish Pearl jam had kept the songwriting of the first album I’m not sure if they ran out of ideas or just got completely hijacked by Vedder.

It’s a close call to be fair both left behind two of the best debut albums of the 90s.

Someone mentioned Screaming Trees above. They are possibly even better.

Three great 90s alternative rock bands I still listen too and summarise the era.

[thebends]

Pj was better but always loved hearing ‘change’ by Mellon on 1st album

[Grendel]

Great band! galaxie off of Soup was a great song. First album was great. Unfortunate that No Rain was so overplayed.

[Hellsinkey]

I like the debut enough but Soup is what sold me on Blind Melon, it's a great fucking album!
Even the B sides album Nico has some great tunes.

Agreed. I like Pearl Jam too, but not as much.

[BulletProofPoet]

I wish blind melon had officially released the electric version of ‘soul one’.

My favorite Blind Melon song!!