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Merkin Ball
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| Merkin Ball | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP by Pearl Jam featuring Neil Young | ||||
| Released | December 4, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | February 1995 | |||
| Studio | Bad Animals (Seattle, Washington) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 10:52 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Brett Eliason | |||
| Pearl Jam chronology | ||||
| ||||
| "I Got Id" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Pearl Jam featuring Neil Young | ||||
| from the EP Merkin Ball | ||||
| B-side | "Long Road" | |||
| Released | December 4, 1995 | |||
| Recorded | February 1995 | |||
| Studio | Bad Animals (Seattle, Washington) | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock[1] | |||
| Length | 4:53 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Songwriter | Eddie Vedder | |||
| Producer | Brett Eliason | |||
| Pearl Jam singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Merkin Ball is an extended play (EP) by American alternative rock band Pearl Jam. The EP contains two songs: A-side "I Got Id" (also known as "I Got Shit") and B-side "Long Road", both written by Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder. The EP features Canadian-American musician Neil Young and was released on December 4, 1995, through Epic Records. Merkin Ball is a companion to Young's 1995 album Mirror Ball.
The EP became a chart hit, particularly in Australia and Scandinavia. It reached number two in Australia, number three in Finland, number five in Norway, and number 10 in Denmark. In the United States, the EP peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart, and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. "I Got Id" was included on Pearl Jam's 2004 greatest hits album, rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003).[2]
Recording
[edit]The tracks on Merkin Ball were recorded at the tail end of the Mirror Ball sessions in February 1995.[3] The songs were produced and mixed by Pearl Jam sound engineer Brett Eliason. Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder was not around much for the Mirror Ball recording sessions due to what he called a "pretty intense stalker problem".[4] Vedder said that "leaving the house wasn't the easiest thing to do."[4] He referred to the issue in the song "Lukin" from Pearl Jam's 1996 album, No Code.[5]
Vedder wrote and performed vocals and guitar on the songs "I Got Id" and "Long Road", which were omitted from Mirror Ball.[6] Because of legal complications between Epic Records and Reprise Records, the songs and the band name "Pearl Jam" were not allowed to be included on the full Mirror Ball album, so they were released separately as a Pearl Jam single. Neil Young contributed lead guitar to "I Got Id" and pump organ to "Long Road". Mirror Ball producer Brendan O'Brien plays bass on "I Got Id", and Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament plays bass on "Long Road". Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons plays drums on both tracks. Pakistani Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan contributed backing vocals to a later recording of "Long Road".[7]
Music and lyrics
[edit]Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball complement each other musically. Jonathan Cohen of AllMusic said that "I Got Id" was "an even mix of Vitalogy's raw rock and No Code's major-key majesty" and said regarding "Long Road" that "Vedder's melody is uplifting, his lyrics poignant."[3] "I Got Id" is also known by its original title "I Got Shit" by the band and its fans. It is rumored that when Vedder proposed the idea of a single to Epic, the label made him change the title of the song.[3] In some concert performances, Vedder has also introduced the song as "I Got I.D."[citation needed]. Upon introducing the song at Pearl Jam's September 19, 1998, concert in Washington, D.C. at Constitution Hall, Vedder stated, "[Neil Young] gave me a song writing lesson at a half-price rate; this is what I came up with...on my final, he gave me a B+ I think."[8] At Pearl Jam's May 10, 2006, concert in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, at the Air Canada Centre, Vedder revealed that the song's chorus melody was inspired by the verse melody in Neil Young's "Cinnamon Girl" from the 1969 album, Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere.[9]
At Pearl Jam's July 7, 2006, concert in San Diego at Cox Arena, Vedder revealed that he wrote "Long Road" after hearing about the death of his former high school drama teacher and mentor, Clayton E. Liggett.[10] He added that he began to hit the opening D-chords of "Long Road" as if he was "trying to ring a bell to say that 'We lost one of the good ones,'" and after "about eight minutes", the rest of the performers on the track joined in without saying anything and began to bring the song to life.[9]
Release and reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[11] |
Epic Records released Merkin Ball on December 4, 1995, as a CD and 7-inch single.[12] In Japan, Sony Records issued a CD single two weeks later, on December 21.[13] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly gave Merkin Ball a B+. Browne called "I Got Id" a "standard PJ chest thumper" and stated that "Long Road" "[takes] Young and Pearl Jam into a mystical zone never hinted at on [Mirror Ball]."[11] AllMusic staff writer Jonathan Cohen gave the record two and a half out of five stars, saying, "By no means essential, but well worth a spin."[3]
Merkin Ball debuted and peaked at number seven on the US Billboard Hot 100.[14] It also reached number two on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks charts and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.[15][16] Worldwide, the EP reached number two in Australia, number three in Finland, number five in Norway and number ten in Denmark.[17][18] It additionally became a top-forty hit in Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.[19][20][17][21] It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of over 500,000.[22]
In September 2001, Vedder and Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready were joined by Young to perform "Long Road" at the America: A Tribute to Heroes benefit concert. "Long Road" was also used in the films Dead Man Walking, Outsourced, and Eat Pray Love and in the episode "My Five Stages" of the sitcom Scrubs.
Packaging
[edit]A wrecking ball graces the cover art of Merkin Ball. Mirror Ball and Merkin Ball complement each other in the layout and content of the packaging. The title Merkin Ball is a play on Mirror Ball. A merkin is commonly known as a pubic wig. Vedder came up with the title.[23] In an interview, Vedder said that the title refers to an "arrowhead".[24]
Live performances
[edit]"I Got Id" was first performed live at the band's February 21, 1995, concert in Osaka, Japan, at Kosei Nenkin Kaikan.[25] Live performances of "I Got Id" can be found on various official bootlegs. A performance of the song is also included on the DVD Touring Band 2000.
Track listing
[edit]All tracks are written by Eddie Vedder.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "I Got Id" (also known as "I Got Shit"[3]) | 4:53 |
| 2. | "Long Road" | 5:59 |
| Total length: | 10:52 | |
Personnel
[edit]Pearl Jam
- Jeff Ament – bass guitar on "Long Road"
- Jack Irons – percussion, drums
- Eddie Vedder – guitar, vocals
Additional musicians and production
- Neil Young – guitar, pump organ, vocals
- Brendan O'Brien – bass guitar on "I Got Id"
- Joel Bernstein – portraits
- Brett Eliason – production, engineering and mixing
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[22] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
[edit]- ^ Leas, Ryan (October 17, 2013). "The 10 Best Pearl Jam Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
- ^ "Pearl Jam – Rearviewmirror: Greatest Hits 1991–2003". AllMusic. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Cohen, Jonathan. "allmusic ((( Merkin Ball > Review )))". AllMusic. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
- ^ a b Weisbard, Eric, et al. "Ten Past Ten". Spin. August 2001.
- ^ Hiatt, Brian (June 16, 2006). "The Second Coming of Pearl Jam". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 28, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
- ^ Strauss, Neil. "The Predictably Unpredictable Neil Young". The New York Times. July 2, 1995. Retrieved on March 27, 2008.
- ^ Manheim (2001). Michel Andre Bossy; Thomas Brothers; John C. McEnore (eds.). Lives and Legacies: Artists, Writers, and Musicians. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 105. ISBN 978-1573561549.
- ^ "Pearl Jam: 1998 Concert Chronology: Part 3". fivehorizons.com.
- ^ a b "Pearl Jam Concert Chronology: 2006". TwoFeetThick.com.
- ^ Varga, George. "By finish, Pearl Jam, Vedder had a connection" Archived February 24, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. The San Diego Union-Tribune. July 10, 2006.
- ^ a b Browne, David (December 22, 1995). "Merkin Ball". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 20, 2009.
- ^ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. December 2, 1995. p. 48. Retrieved July 4, 2021. Misprinted as December 3. The albums section uses the correct date.
- ^ "アイ・ガット・イド | パール・ジャム" [I Got Id | Pearl Jam] (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Pearl Jam Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Pearl Jam – Merkinball (EP)". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 2. January 13, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved January 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Merkindall (EP)". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 3, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Pearl Jam – Merkinball". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Rumor Pit: Issue #11" Archived February 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. sonymusic.com. November 15, 1995.
- ^ Kava, Brad. "'I'm Just looking to make it right.' – E.V." www.vedderism.friko.pl. November 3, 1995.
- ^ "Pearl Jam Songs: "I Got Id"" Archived May 22, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. pearljam.com.
- ^ Merkin Ball (US CD single liner notes). Pearl Jam. Epic Records. 1995. 34K 78199.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2872." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 2863." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13, no. 1. January 6, 1996. p. 9. Retrieved July 2, 2020.
- ^ "Pearl Jam: Merkinball (EP)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (20.1. '96 – 26.1. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 20, 1996. p. 38. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
- ^ "Pearl Jam – Merkinball (EP)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Pearl Jam – Merkinball (EP)". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Pearl Jam – Merkinball (EP)". VG-lista. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "Pearl Jam – Merkinball (EP)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "RPM Year End Alternative Top 50". RPM. July 17, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2019 – via Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1996". Billboardtop100of.com. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-76. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-78. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved December 25, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001 (200–101)". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
External links
[edit]Merkin Ball
View on GrokipediaBackground
Collaboration with Neil Young
In early 1995, Neil Young invited Pearl Jam to back him on his upcoming album Mirror Ball, forging a pivotal grunge-era collaboration rooted in mutual admiration. The partnership stemmed from Pearl Jam's frequent live covers of Young's songs, such as "Rockin' in the Free World," and Young's appreciation for the band's raw energy amid their rapid rise to fame. This invitation positioned Pearl Jam as Young's backing ensemble, blending their Seattle sound with his veteran rock sensibilities.[6] The collaboration's origins trace to mid-January 1995, specifically the Voters For Choice benefit concert in Washington, D.C., on January 15, where Young, dissatisfied with a recent Crazy Horse rehearsal of "Act of Love," spontaneously invited Pearl Jam onstage to perform it with him. This electrifying joint appearance immediately sparked discussions for a full recording project, with agreements finalized shortly thereafter to commence studio work. Vedder's involvement was delayed slightly due to personal matters, but the band's instrumentalists began laying down tracks soon after.[7][6] Contractual restrictions from Pearl Jam's label, Epic Records, prohibited the band from receiving credits or prominent billing on Mirror Ball, which was issued solely under Young's Reprise Records imprint to sidestep inter-label negotiations. As a result, two tracks featuring contributions from the sessions—"I Got Id" and "Long Road"—were withheld from the album and repurposed for Pearl Jam's companion EP Merkin Ball, released later that year through Epic. This arrangement allowed the collaboration's fruits to reach audiences without legal entanglements. The sessions occurred at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle.[6][2] Eddie Vedder displayed particular enthusiasm for the partnership, viewing Young as a mentor and kindred spirit whose unfiltered approach resonated deeply. Their connection was amplified by shared influences, including The Who’s anthemic rock and punk rock's rebellious ethos, which Vedder had long emulated in Pearl Jam's sound. Vedder later co-wrote "Peace and Love" with Young during the sessions, underscoring his investment in the creative synergy.[8][9]Track development
The tracks on Merkin Ball emerged from the collaborative sessions between Pearl Jam and Neil Young for Young's 1995 album Mirror Ball, which Young's encouragement helped foster as part of their broader partnership. During these February 1995 recordings at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle, the band and Young laid down 13 tracks in total, with 11 selected for Mirror Ball. "I Got Id" (also known as "I Got Shit"), written solely by Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder, was captured during these sessions but excluded from the final Mirror Ball tracklist. Vedder also penned "Long Road," drawing inspiration from the recent death of his high school drama teacher and mentor, Clayton E. Liggett, and developing it as an uplifting piece intended to serve as a closer, though it too was omitted from Young's album.[10][11] In mid-1995, shortly after Mirror Ball's August release, Pearl Jam opted to release these two outtakes as a standalone EP, capitalizing on the buzz surrounding the collaboration. Vedder devised the EP's title, Merkin Ball, as a humorous pun on Mirror Ball that alluded to "merkin," an archaic term for a pubic wig—though he playfully described it in interviews as referencing an "arrowhead." This focused selection of just the two Vedder compositions allowed the EP to stand apart while honoring the session's creative energy.[12][12][2]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording sessions for Merkin Ball took place in February 1995 at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle, Washington, coinciding with the concluding phase of Neil Young's Mirror Ball album sessions at the same facility.[6] This studio, owned by Heart members Ann and Nancy Wilson, provided a professional environment tailored for rock recordings.[13] Eddie Vedder's involvement was restricted owing to an ongoing stalker incident that kept him away from much of the collaborative work, leading to his vocals being recorded in a subsequent isolated session after the primary band tracking.[6] The two tracks were captured over roughly two days in this later period, capturing a raw, collaborative energy amid the project's contractual origins as a companion to Mirror Ball.[6] Overdubs were minimal and finalized following the Mirror Ball sessions, preserving the spontaneous nature of the performances.[13] The setup prioritized live band dynamics, with musicians positioned in a semi-circle using onstage-style monitors and amplifiers to foster an immersive, performance-like atmosphere without reliance on click tracks.[13]Key personnel
The production of Merkin Ball was led by Brett Eliason, who served as producer, engineer, and mixer for both tracks on the EP.[2] Eliason, a longtime collaborator with Pearl Jam, had previously handled engineering and mixing duties on the band's albums Vs. (1993) and Vitalogy (1994), bringing his expertise in capturing the group's raw, live-like energy to the sessions.[14][15] Neil Young played a central role as a multi-instrumentalist and collaborator, contributing lead guitar to "I Got Id," pump organ to "Long Road," and backing vocals on both tracks, which infused the EP with his signature raw, improvisational style.[2] These contributions stemmed from the ongoing partnership between Young and Pearl Jam, extending from their work on Young's Mirror Ball album earlier that year.[2] Brendan O'Brien, who had produced Mirror Ball, stepped in as a session musician to play bass on "I Got Id," filling in to maintain the track's momentum during the quick recording process.[2] A notable later enhancement came during remixing for the 1996 Dead Man Walking soundtrack, where Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan added backing vocals to "Long Road," introducing a world music dimension through his qawwali influences that contrasted with the original EP's grunge roots.[16]Composition
Musical style
Merkin Ball exemplifies a fusion of grunge's raw intensity with alternative rock's expansive dynamics, serving as a stylistic bridge influenced by Neil Young's production approach, which prioritizes unpolished, live-in-the-studio energy to capture organic performances.[17] This EP distinguishes itself from Pearl Jam's earlier, more straightforward grunge-driven albums like Ten and Vs. by incorporating Young's folk-rock sensibilities, resulting in a sound that balances aggression with atmospheric depth while maintaining the band's signature rhythmic precision.[17] The total runtime of 10:52 underscores its concise yet impactful nature, emphasizing tight instrumentation over excess.[2] The opening track, "I Got Id," embodies raw, punk-infused alternative rock through its distorted guitars and driving rhythm, blending the aggression of Vitalogy's punk-leaning edges with the somewhat polished yet energetic vibe of the collaborative Mirror Ball sessions.[17] Clocking in at 4:53, the song highlights Neil Young's signature guitar tones, including a raunchy solo reminiscent of his work on tracks like "Like a Hurricane," layered over Pearl Jam's tight rhythm section of bass and drums for a muscular, propulsive feel.[17][2] This combination creates a dynamic tension that sets the EP apart from Pearl Jam's typical hard-edged grunge, infusing it with Young's improvisational flair. In contrast, "Long Road" shifts to an atmospheric ballad that builds gradually to a majestic crescendo, featuring layered guitars and pump organ swells contributed by Neil Young for an ethereal, swelling texture.[18] Running 5:59, the track's somber and haunting quality arises from its hypnotic, circular rhythm and chant-like vocals, supported by the tightness of Jeff Ament's bass and Jack Irons' drums, evoking a sense of inevitable emotional progression.[18][2] This structure highlights the EP's overall evolution toward folk-rock introspection within a grunge framework, further amplified by Young's production emphasis on live-feel dynamics.[17]Lyrical themes
The lyrics of "I Got Id" delve into themes of identity crisis and self-doubt, portraying a protagonist grappling with inner turmoil and a fragmented sense of self through lines like "Got all these questions, don’t know who I could even ask" and "Where I’m not ugly and you’re lookin’ at me."[19] This stream-of-consciousness approach reflects the pressures of fame that Eddie Vedder faced following Pearl Jam's 1994 album Vitalogy, a period marked by intense scrutiny and personal strain on the band.[20] The song's title itself alludes to Freud's concept of the id—representing primal urges and unconscious drives—while also playing on the phrase "I got shit," underscoring feelings of worthlessness and emotional isolation.[21] In contrast, "Long Road" explores reflections on life's journey, mortality, and perseverance, with imagery of an enduring path symbolizing acceptance of loss and the passage of time, as in "Will I walk the long road? Cannot stay."[22] Vedder wrote the song spontaneously during sessions for Neil Young's Mirror Ball, inspired by news of the death of his high school mentor and drama teacher, Clayton E. Liggett, whom he sought to honor as "one of the good ones."[23] Vedder dedicated the song to Liggett during live performances in 2006.[24] The lyrics emphasize themes of quiet tribute without farewell, as in "There’s no need to say goodbye."[22] Vedder's writing style on Merkin Ball is characteristically poetic and introspective, employing abstract imagery to evoke emotional states rather than linear narratives, allowing listeners to project personal interpretations onto the words.[25] This approach aligns with broader themes of alienation recurrent in Pearl Jam's discography, such as defiance against external expectations seen in Vitalogy tracks like "Not for You," but here it gains a unique intimacy from the collaborative sessions with Young, infusing the lyrics with raw, unfiltered vulnerability.[26]Release
Commercial distribution
Merkin Ball was released by Epic Records on December 5, 1995, in the United States as a two-song EP available in 7-inch vinyl and CD formats.[2][1] The 7-inch vinyl was also released in the United Kingdom on December 4, 1995, with CD formats following on December 5 in the UK, US, and other markets including Australia.[4] In Japan, the EP launched later on December 21, 1995, exclusively in CD format through Sony.[27] Cassette formats were available in select international markets, such as Indonesia.[28] As a limited two-song EP rather than a full-length album, Merkin Ball was strategically positioned as a companion release to Neil Young's Mirror Ball, which had debuted earlier that year, to facilitate cross-promotion between the artists and their shared label.[2][1] The EP's physical rollout emphasized distribution through major music retailers for broad accessibility in key markets.[3] Promotional singles, primarily featuring the track "I Got Id," were sent to radio stations in advance to build airplay and generate buzz ahead of the retail launch.[29][30] No digital version of Merkin Ball was available at the time of its initial release, aligning with the mid-1990s dominance of physical media; it remained exclusive to vinyl and CD formats until a digital reissue in 2013.[3] This physical-centric strategy reflected Epic Records' standard approach for rock EPs during the era, prioritizing tangible products for fan collection and radio tie-ins over emerging digital platforms.[1]Packaging and artwork
The cover art of Merkin Ball depicts a black-and-white image of a wrecking ball suspended in mid-air, providing a stark visual contrast to the shimmering, reflective mirrored sphere featured on Neil Young's accompanying album Mirror Ball. This imagery complements the overall packaging design, which mirrors elements of Mirror Ball's layout while emphasizing the EP's distinct identity. Art direction and design were handled by Gary Burden.[3][31] The title Merkin Ball originated as a pun conceived by Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder, playing off Mirror Ball while incorporating "merkin," a term for a pubic wig; Vedder described it in a 1995 interview as referring to an "arrowhead."[12] Released in both 7-inch vinyl and CD formats, the EP's packaging is minimalist, featuring a picture sleeve for the vinyl edition and a gatefold card sleeve for the CD single. These include black-and-white photographs of the band alongside liner notes crediting personnel and production details, eschewing the elaborate booklets common in full-length releases due to the EP's concise two-track structure.[32][30]Reception
Critical reviews
Upon its 1995 release, Merkin Ball garnered favorable critical attention for its energetic tracks and seamless integration of Neil Young's contributions, though reviewers frequently cited its limited runtime as a constraint. David Browne of Entertainment Weekly assigned it a B+ grade, characterizing "I Got Id" as a "standard PJ chest thumper" driven by Young's staccato guitar work, while praising "Long Road" for its more ambitious, lingering emotional depth.[33] John Metzger of The Music Box rated the EP 3.5 out of 5 stars, viewing it as a purer embodiment of the Pearl Jam-Neil Young partnership than the accompanying Mirror Ball album, with "I Got Id" delivering raucous power bolstered by Young's aggressive solos and "Long Road" evoking an eerie ballad enriched by organ and shredding guitar. He commended the unoverproduced sound but critiqued the EP's brevity, limited to just two songs totaling under 11 minutes.[34] Common critical observations highlighted the EP's short length and minimal promotion—issued as a limited-edition 7-inch vinyl pressing of 50,000 copies—as factors hindering its broader impact, yet lauded its raw capture of the artists' synergy, free from excessive polish.[1] Retrospective opinions in the 21st century have elevated Merkin Ball as an underrated gem within Pearl Jam's catalog, emphasizing its transitional rawness between the band's grunge roots and experimental phase. A 2013 assessment identified "I Got Id" as one of the group's most overlooked tracks, blending high-energy riffs with introspective lyrics. Similarly, a 2018 compilation of lesser-known Pearl Jam highlights included "Long Road" for its heartfelt tribute quality and dynamic interplay. In 2020s discussions, such as a May 2025 episode of the Grunge Bible podcast, the EP was hailed for its fantastic collaborative essence, with Eddie Vedder's vocals at their peak, Jack Irons' distinctive drumming, and the songs' emotional range underscoring the PJ-Young chemistry.[35][36][37] Beyond these, no significant new professional reviews have emerged since the late 1990s, with modern reassessments largely confined to fan-driven podcasts and articles that affirm its enduring appeal as a concise, unpretentious artifact of the era's alt-rock collaborations.Commercial performance
Merkin Ball achieved notable commercial success, particularly through its lead single "I Got Id," which peaked at number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track also reached number 2 on the US Mainstream Rock chart and number 3 on the Alternative Songs chart. Internationally, "I Got Id" climbed to number 2 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. On the 1996 US Billboard Hot 100 year-end chart, "I Got Id" ranked at number 96. The EP earned a gold certification from the RIAA on February 27, 1996, for 500,000 units shipped in the United States, reflecting strong initial demand. As of 2025, no further certifications, such as platinum status, have been awarded by the RIAA, though modern streaming metrics are not factored into these traditional thresholds. Sales estimates indicate that Merkin Ball surpassed 500,000 copies worldwide by the end of 1996, with later figures placing total global sales over 850,000 units, aided by its promotional tie-in to Neil Young's Mirror Ball album. The inclusion of "I Got Id" on Pearl Jam's 2004 compilation rearviewmirror (Greatest Hits 1991–2003) helped sustain its commercial longevity through subsequent years. Regionally, the EP performed strongly in Australia and several European markets, benefiting from its late-1995 release timing that aligned with peak interest in grunge acts. In contrast, it saw weaker uptake in Japan, despite a local release, with no significant chart presence or sales data reported.Credits
Track listing
Merkin Ball is a two-track EP released by Pearl Jam on December 5, 1995, with no bonus tracks or content variants in the original standard edition.[2] All tracks were written by Eddie Vedder.[2] The total runtime is 10:52.[3]| Side | Title | Writer | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | I Got Id | Eddie Vedder | 4:53 |
| B | Long Road | Eddie Vedder | 5:59 |
Personnel
- Eddie Vedder – vocals, guitar, songwriter[2]
- Neil Young – guitar (both tracks), pump organ (on "I Got Id"), backing vocals (on "Long Road")[2]
- Jeff Ament – bass (on "Long Road")[2]
- Jack Irons – drums (on both tracks)[2]
- Brendan O'Brien – bass (on "I Got Id")[30]
- Brett Eliason – recording, mixing[2]
- Gary Burden – art direction, design, packaging[30]
