Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited

Published by

Fox Reviews Rock

20th Jul 2024

Which of these two bands are your favourite? Take a listen to the below two tracks. Want to shout out your favourite of the two , or share experiences etc then please leave it in the comments , id love the comments section to be alive and kicking for these posts. Stand up for your favourite!

Cobain (Nirvana) once called Pearl Jam a mockery of the grunge aesthetic, with a sound too classic rock to be alternative. Despite this comment later in life Cobain and Vedder from Pearl Jam became friends.

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit (All Rights Are Retained By Nirvana)

Pearl Jam – Even Flow (All Rights Are Retained By Pearl Jam)

All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in this review belong to their respective owners and I or this website does not claim any right over them.

As always the song(s) in my reviews are added to my Spotify Playlist find out more about that here as well as on my Spotify Podcast find out more about that here .

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82 responses to “Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited”

ibarynt

20th Jul 2024

I was waiting for this
Nirvana of course. Just because.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Yeah I think I’m swinging that way too!
  
  LikeLiked by 2 people
  
  Reply
missparker0106

20th Jul 2024

Pearl Jam–“Black” and “Yellow Ledbetter” still give me goosebumps.

LikeLiked by 6 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Fantastic songs !
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me. “Something In The Way”, “Dumb” and “All Apologies” are personal favourites of mine.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Wow those are some more niche songs! I’m here for that !
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Willie Torres Jr.

20th Jul 2024

WoW !!! This one is a Good Battle but I would have to give it to Pearl Jam. Chicago Native and just like missparker0106, Black by Pearl Jam is just to good of an album.

LikeLiked by 6 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Yeah I think this is closer than I originally thought when doing it! I think I’m onnthe side of Nirvana but damn it’s close
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
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  1. Willie Torres Jr.
    
    20th Jul 2024
    
    Yes, way to close. I think back in the days, Nirvana had this hands down, but since Kurt is no longer with us and Pearl Jam is still making music, I have to go with them.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    
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    1. Fox Reviews Rock
      
      20th Jul 2024
      
      Yeah thats true , but it’s worth thinking about bands inspired by Nirvana when looking at things eg foo fighters
      
      LikeLiked by 2 people
      
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      1. Willie Torres Jr.
        
        20th Jul 2024
        
        True but the same can be said about Pearl Jam.
        The Killers
        John Mayer
        Jack White
        The Strokes
        St. Vincent
        Gaslight Anthem
        Fleet Foxes
        
        😁😁
        
        LikeLiked by 2 people
        
        Reply
        
        Fox Reviews Rock
        
        20th Jul 2024
        
        Yep completely fair point 😁
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person
        
        Reply
        
        Willie Torres Jr.
        
        20th Jul 2024
        
        👍🏻
        
        LikeLiked by 1 person
        
        Reply
Moongirl

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana forever, lol! I do like Pearl Jam, too. Love Eddie Vedder’s 2022 album, Earthling.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  You know I’ve not heard that yet I’ll have to check it out !
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Bob Ivan

20th Jul 2024

Pearl Jam is great, but I’d have to give it to Nirvana. Way more changes to the music industry, they changed what defined good music, and shook generations. Also, personally, Nirvana has brought me more emotion and inspiration than Pearl Jam.

LikeLiked by 5 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  I think those are perfectly fine and valid points! Nirvana for me spawned more great music post Kurt’s death too, just look at foo fighters for example
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
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Nicole

20th Jul 2024

Between these two- Pearl Jam. For the simple fact that I liked more Pearl Jam songs than Nirvana songs. Ten and Vs were solid albums(er- CDs at the time )that I could listen to start to finish. I liked some stuff off of Nevermind and In Utereo, but can’t say I could listen all the way through without skipping tracks here and there.

Within the “grunge” subgenre Alice in Chains and Soundgarden were hands down my favorites over Pearl Jam and Nirvana.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  That’s a fair argument you like what you like!
  
  I love albums that are truly great from beginning to end ! Yeah Nirvana I’d say had bigger hits more also a fair few more misses .
  
  Yep both great choices and will be featured at some point 🙂 we actually are reviewing a grunge song on Tuesday you should check it out !
  
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perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me.
“Something In The Way”, “Dumb” and “All Apologies” are personal favourites of mine.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Great choices !
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
signalman

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  🤘 Nice choice
  
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Sergei Korschmin

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana is technically (in music terms) better ensemble … Okay, Okay band. Vocal ability is not good over all, but in this examples Nirvana’s singer is better on account of recorded performance.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Kurt had a certain style that’s for sure but I’d say that had a big impact on their sound which is unmistakable
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
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  1. Sergei Korschmin
    
    21st Jul 2024
    
    Yes, absolutely. That’s undeniable. 🙂
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    
    Reply
perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me.
“ Something In The Way”, “Dumb” and “All Apologies” are personal favourites of mine.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me.

Something In The Way.
Dumb.
All Apologies.

Are my three personal favourite Nirvana songs.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
St Jimmy

20th Jul 2024

I saw Pearl Jam at Hyde park 2 years ago and they were amazing! Even better that they played after the Pixies too! But I just love Nirvana too much! All their albums are great and you can’t forget their unplugged masterpiece.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  JEALOUS! I wanna see PJ so bad but the tickets are just too damn much! I hope they play download sometime…
  
  Nirvana wins for me though, in utero is amazing
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
michael branscáth

20th Jul 2024

As much as I have put down parts of Nirvana in my past, I have learned to appreciate them more now that I am older (and wiser?). I’ll have to go with Nirvana, Pearl Jam never really sank their hooks into me.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  That’s fair enough maybe worth listening to a PJ album again though now to just make sure 😉
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. michael branscáth
    
    20th Jul 2024
    
    LOL. Fair enough.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
    
    Reply
perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me.

Something In The Way.
Dumb.
All Apologies.

Are my three favourite Nirvana songs.

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
perspicaciousoutcast

20th Jul 2024

Nirvana for me.

My three favourite Nirvana songs are as follows;
Something In The Way, Dumb and All Apologies.

LikeLiked by 2 people

Reply
apineapplebeech

20th Jul 2024

Tight, but for me Nirvana; I love all apologies, polly, lithium and rape me! Pearl jam is good, but I feel has some songs that are let downs

LikeLiked by 2 people

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Michael Sammut

20th Jul 2024

Tough one. Nirvana might have had some better music but Pearl Jam had the better front man. Vedder is one of the tops.

LikeLiked by 4 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Yeah that’s an assessment I could get behind
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
windupmyskirt

20th Jul 2024

In my opinion, Pearl Jam takes the win. Although I really appreciate both bands. But I never thought Teen Spirit was the best song that Nirvana put out.

LikeLiked by 5 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  20th Jul 2024
  
  Yeah thats a fair point , its hard to pick a song sometimes though 🤣
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
firewater65

21st Jul 2024

I refuse to take a stand. I love both of these bands.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  21st Jul 2024
  
  Fair enough 🤣
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
zap003

21st Jul 2024

Nirvana 😁🤘

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  21st Jul 2024
  
  Hell yes!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
nanatw8

21st Jul 2024

I like both, nirvana just a bit more!

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  21st Jul 2024
  
  Good choice!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited – ADVERTISING OPERATIONS

21st Jul 2024

[…] Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited […]

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  21st Jul 2024
  
  Thanks for sharing this
  
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Sunra Rainz

21st Jul 2024

I cannot choose! It was always Nirvana as a teen, but in later years, Pearl Jam won me over! 🙂

LikeLiked by 4 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  21st Jul 2024
  
  I think a lot of people share the same view
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Cửa Thép Việt Door

22nd Jul 2024

I refuse to take a stand.

LikeLiked by 4 people

Reply
Ian J Myers

22nd Jul 2024

This is a trip down memory lane. I know Nirvana better. Were they more cool? I don’t know. Did the joining of the Club 27, with Kurt have something to do with it? Possibly…

LikeLiked by 4 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  22nd Jul 2024
  
  Yeah both those things probably attributed to their long term success tbh
  
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thesureplugdotcom

22nd Jul 2024

❤️❤️

LikeLiked by 3 people

Reply
Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited – Teacher1k.blog

23rd Jul 2024

[…] Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited […]

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mycrazyworld

23rd Jul 2024

Nice post

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triople

24th Jul 2024

Nirvana vs pearl jam

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Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited – getithowyoulive

25th Jul 2024

[…] Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited […]

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RamonaSpears

25th Jul 2024

I really love Pearl Jam “Alive”
It brings memories to me but also is a good song. PEARL JAM

LikeLiked by 2 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  25th Jul 2024
  
  Its a fantastic song!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
RamonaSpears

25th Jul 2024

It really is, yeah. But I have to say that Nirvana band shirts ARE pretty cool! 😂

LikeLiked by 1 person

Reply
1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  25th Jul 2024
  
  Arnt they just!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited – علی اسدزاده

26th Jul 2024

[…] Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited […]

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T!el Fajardo

27th Jul 2024

I understand why ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ is often considered the anthem of the grunge movement. However, I believe ‘You Know You’re Right’ better embodies the genre’s texture and essence, though I don’t overlook the impact ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ had on popularizing the genre. Other personal favorites on Nirvana side are ‘Where Did You Sleep Last night’, and ‘Something in the way’. Regarding Pearl Jam, I have to praise ‘Alive’ for becoming a staple of grunge music; I agree with its popularity, and it’s a fantastic song, along with ‘Black’ and ‘Last Kiss.’ If I had to choose a ‘winner’ in this battle of songs rather than bands , my pick would be ‘You Know You’re Right.’ It’s iconic.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  27th Jul 2024
  
  Great pick! I’m a big fan of heart shaped box
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Claude Walrath

28th Jul 2024

I always felt like Nirvana came to define grunge through the lens of punk music while Pearl Jam defined it through the lens of hair metal bands. As a teenager I always said I liked Pearl Jam better because everyone else I knew said that they loved Nirvana. For my comics I reviewed all of the Pearl Jam albums up to “Gigaton” and I was surprised how many of the albums I didn’t like. I really only like “Ten”, “Verses”, “Vitalogy”, and “Yield”. The newest album “Dark Matter” is their best effort in years, but its neither good or bad. It simply exists.

LikeLiked by 2 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  29th Jul 2024
  
  You know…. That might be the best explanation of the difference between the 2 bands that i have ever seen !
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Hayat

29th Jul 2024

Amazing

LikeLiked by 1 person

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  29th Jul 2024
  
  Cheers!
  
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v. anastasi

29th Jul 2024

Not completely fair, considering the brevity of Nirvana’s existence. I still believe Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged album is one of the best ever recorded, but I tend to lean to Eddie and Pearl Jam. Still playing their songs in gigs myself (“Elderly Woman,” “Better Man,” “Release,” and “Daughter” to name a few). I would say Pearl Jam demonstrated their ability to diversify in their music. Love them both, however, and I still remember coming back from our high school choir tour my senior year and hearing about Cobain’s death.

LikeLiked by 3 people

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  29th Jul 2024
  
  I think the difference is Nirvana made it into the mainstream and PJ didnt tbh
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
  1. v. anastasi
    
    29th Jul 2024
    
    Nirvana pioneered the grunge movement and did bring it to the mainstream. Point yielded. Great discussion throughout this thread!
    
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    1. Fox Reviews Rock
      
      29th Jul 2024
      
      Absolutely which is exactly what this site is all about 🙂
      
      LikeLiked by 1 person
      
      Reply
Jennifer Frank

29th Jul 2024

Finally fulfilling a bucket list concert and seeing Pearl Jam in September!

LikeLiked by 2 people

Reply
1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  29th Jul 2024
  
  Very nice!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply
Nirvana vs. Pearl Jam: Grunge Rivalry Revisited – Posts Pa

30th Jul 2024

[…] OK […]

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Robert Horvat

4th Aug 2024

Hands down Pearl Jam. But I’m a big fan of Dave Grohl and how he wasn’t finished as a musician and went on to create the Foo Fighters.

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Darth Jim

22nd Aug 2024

Since I knew about Nirvana first thanks to a friend, I’ll stick with them. I beez lov’en me some Pearl Jam though.

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  22nd Aug 2024
  
  Fair enough i say 🙂
  
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Sheree Murphy

19th Sep 2024

The band I wish I could have seen was Nirvana. I was around 10 years old living in Wales at the time listening to Kylie and Jason. But then I remember seeing them on ‘The Word’ on TV and my life changed.

LikeLiked by 1 person

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1. Fox Reviews Rock
  
  19th Sep 2024
  
  I can sense your life changing just from that comment alone 🙂
  
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  Reply
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[…] drawn to this spirit and those whose lyrics speak the raw honest truth. From the Punk movement to Grunge‘s anti-establishment roots. Rock fans feel […]

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