Top tracks — play these first
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I Got Id — This track features a prominent introspective lyricism paired with anthemic instrumentation, representing the band's ability to blend personal themes with powerful melodies.
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Long Road — With its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, this song encapsulates feelings of longing and reflection, making it a standout representation of the band's emotional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases strong songwriting and guitar work but is brief and less cohesive than a full album.
What we noticed
- Both tracks feature a prominent use of layered guitar harmonies, creating a rich texture that complements the raw vocal delivery.
- The first track, 'I Got Id', employs a dynamic shift in intensity, starting with a subdued verse and building to a powerful chorus.
- The second track, 'Long Road', is characterized by its slower tempo and reflective lyrics, contrasting with the more aggressive sound of the first.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Released during peak popularity, it solidified Pearl Jam's presence in the grunge scene.
- Themes
- Seattle grunge scene· post-breakup reflection· mid-90s angst
- Moods
- Melancholy· Introspective
- Career context
- Released in early 1995, Merkin Ball arrived during Pearl Jam's peak popularity following their acclaimed album Vs. This EP was a companion piece to the band's contribution to the soundtrack of the film 'Singles', showcasing their evolving sound while maintaining their grunge roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Stone Temple Pilots
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Got Id 4:53
- 2 Long Road 5:59
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Superunknown
Soundgarden
Shares raw emotional intensity and intricate guitar work, steeped in the Seattle grunge scene.
In Utero
Nirvana
Reflects mid-90s angst and introspective lyrics, capturing a similar rawness and vulnerability.
Dirt
Alice in Chains
Explores dark themes with heavy guitar riffs and emotional depth, resonating with post-breakup reflections.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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