"Pearl Jam recently wrapped its run on the Vote for Change tour and is expected to hit the studio next month to begin work on its eighth album."
and on the greatest hits album:
"In lieu of new songs, "rearviewmirror" (the discs for which are split into an "Upside" and "Downside") boasts remixes of three songs from the Seattle rock act's seminal 1991 debut, "Ten." Longtime producer Brendan O'Brien was behind the boards for new mixes of "Once," "Alive" and "Black."
Call me crazy, but I think I find studio announcements even more exciting than tour news. I can't really explain why. The times I have seen PJ play live have been some of the greatest experiences of my life, and have provided me with tremendous happiness and empowerment... I wouldn't trade those moments for the world, but I guess what appeals to me about album/studio news, is that it means the band is on the road to creating a timeless piece of art... It means new songs exist that nobody outside of the creator has heard, it means new songs will be created... Little "births" of ideas or compositions, you might say. To me, the prospect of that type of thing going on is amazing; the thought that more "gifts" are coming our way. I realize that for the past couple of records have at least in part come together out of numerous short stints of studio time with breaks in between and that the band's going into the studio in Nov. guarantees nothing, but damn, I'm excited already!!
There's a Grand RapidsPress interview mentioned in another thread, with the interview originally having been cited on www.pearljamonline.it... Apparently, this interview does indeed exist (according to at least one poster over on the Red Mosquito Board at www.theskyiscrape.com); it appeared in print the morning after the Grand Rapids VFC show, while the conversation itself (with Jeff and Matt) happened the day of the gig. Within said interview, Jeff mentioned their exact date to begin studio sessions would be Nov. 1.
A new issue of the Rumor Pit was released today, including info on the new record, Ed and the South African choir, Xmas single mailing date and spoilers, possible hints at a Euro tour, etc.!
(Note: Not to be rude, but I was wondering that if we start discussing the Xmas single here, would people mind putting "SPOILER" designations in their posts/titles? I know personally I've have accidentally seen art and info on the last two years' singles when I haven't wanted to because no warnings have been given; so for people like me who want to keep everything a surprise 'til it's in their hands, can you please grant that favor? Thanks!)
We sincerely apologize but in spite of our best intentions, it now looks like the holiday single won't be shipping until, we hope, Monday, December 27. We thank you for your patience and we wish you the best of the holiday season. Peace to all.
Edited By Jonathan Cohen. January 24, 2005, 4:30 PM ET
Pearl Jam In No Rush In The Studio
Pearl Jam has begun work on its eighth studio album in its Seattle homebase. "We're recording but not really putting any pressure for something to actually come out of it," frontman Eddie Vedder told former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones on his Friday radio show, Jonesy's Jukebox, which emanates from Los Angeles radio station KDLD-FM (Indie 103.1).
Asked if he still enjoys the recording process after 15 years of making music with Pearl Jam, Vedder answered, "Depends [on] what day it is or how much sleep you've had. We've been getting together as a whole group, all five [members], for five days a week. Actually, seven days -- that was one of the problems. I think we're going to slow it down a little bit and we'll get something down in February."
Vedder acknowledged it had taken some time for band members to get back in the swing of things after several months apart from one another. "You get together as a band and you want to push yourselves harder or get some place you've never been before, and there's work to get there," he said. "The length of time you all have to be communicating; when you're not working, you don't have to communicate at all, and you get spoiled and quiet."
"Even close-knit bands like Fugazi, [which seems] like a four-headed monster, are [made up of] four completely different individuals," Vedder continued. "They seem like a gang, but it's a gang made up of individuals. It's not as easy as you would think."
The as-yet-untitled album will be the follow-up to 2002's "Riot Act" and Pearl Jam's first since leaving longtime label Epic last year. The band's official Web site previously confirmed the set would be released "on the BMG label" but did not reveal specifics of the new arrangement.
Band members have also been at work on other endeavors. Guitarist Stone Gossard is making a new album with his Brad side project, while drummer Matt Cameron has completed the first new album since 1993 with the band Hater, which features his ex-Soundgarden colleague Ben Shepherd on bass and guitarist John McBain, his longtime collaborator in Wellwater Conspiracy.
As previously reported, bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Mike McCready can be heard as part of an as-yet-unnamed project with King's X leader Doug Pinnick, but no release date has been announced for the completed album, tentatively titled "Montana."