THEN TRY: Vs (1993)

How could they possibly follow up Ten? By doubling down on their immediacy and heavier inclinations while managing to set the then-record for the fastest-selling album in U.S. history. “Go,” the funky “Blood” and “Animal” are heads-down, finding McCready set to stun with instinctive, intense solos (the latter played on a 335). They take their foot off the gas for their first proper acoustic moments in Vedder’s “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” and Gossard’s open-G strumming on “Daughter” (GGDGBD). Nodding to the trippier diversions they would take as a live band in the looped jam room groove, they then manage to pull another showstealing stunner out of the bag with Ament and Gossard’s haunting “Indifference.”

Download: “Animal”