Pearl Jam is Pearl Jam

Seattlest was into Pearl Jam in the Ten and Vs. era as much as anyone else around the dorm in those days, which is to say, pretty into it. And after that they kind of fell off our map, save for a little news bite every now and then involving Ticket Master; a righteous fight that they lost, as evidenced by the lack of any public presence for the band in the past decade or so.

It seems like Pearl Jam hasn't been in the studio since Count Basie was rocking the microphone, although we suspect they may have been doing some shows.

Ok, actually they did put out an album four years ago which we couldn't name if you put a gun to our head. The record they'll be releasing on May 2nd will be called "Pearl Jam," though, and if you go over to PearlJam.com and cough up an email address you can download a single from it. We grabbed it last night and gave it a spin and, yep, still Pearl Jam. Go plug in a fake email address and tell us if you think it's worthwhile.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@seattlest.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Dan in Arts & Events, News on March 8, 2006 11:48 AM

Comments [rss]

Tony

I saw Pearl Jam last year. It was the most boring concert I've ever been to. Period.

The fans seemed like they wanted to have that "phish" vibe (for whatever reason) with their happiness and idol worship of everything Vedder said and did.

The band put ZERO money into the production of the concert. And while the little blind sheep will claim "its all about the music, man." The fact remains that the band pockets more cash when they simply get up on a bare stage and play. And I had to LOL @ the notion they haven't sold out.

The were selling Pearl Jam SOCKS at the merch stands. The band is so self-important it's a joke.

donte

Don't get me wrong, I had my Pearl Jam period, but that period ended a long time ago. I moved on. It's not them, it's me. Oh wait, yes it is them. Short of the badass video for "Do the Evolution," PJ fell into a pit of bland self-righteousness, and you heard about them for everything except the music. I like the causes they stand for, and I'm sure their live show is brilliant, but if I want a band that's going to take up a political flag, I'll take Fugazi or Q and Not U, two bands that say their piece, stay true, and know when it's time to put away the guitar (even if just for a bit).

Martin

Hi, from Spain!

Well, just want to say a couple of things:

First: the single: It rocks!!!, a bit Do the Evolution style, a bit Rolling Stone, but still Pearl Jam, still magic, it could be a Yield song (that's say a lot for me).

Second: To sell...or no to sell, what's the matter? I do love Pearl Jam, I know lot of people here in Spain, crazy about Pearl jam, specialy of my generetion (27)...if you heard about the Latin America tour...that was huge!!! and...well, I have all the original albums, but, people, I mean millions of people have just copies, specially in Latin America or here in Spain... I mean, maybe they aren't selling de same but just because now the people is downloading albums for free or...well you know...times are changing! it's evolution baby!

Evan

No one has said anything about the song yet on here. I havent been able to download it yet so I've been waiting for some honest reviews. So what do you guys think?

dave

'if everyone could give their hipster tendencies a rest for just a minute, everyone would realize that pearl jam is the only real remaining rock band. their new single is great and they are just as good as ever, if not better.'

[The only real remaining rock band'...c'mon! May I point out that Aerosmith has been consistantly releasing quality albums for years.

Oh wait, they haven't.

Pearl Jam is about as interesting as U2 or REM these days. If you are a fan you will like their new stuff, but let's be honest and admit that it is not really revolutionary, which is fine when you have a signature sound.

also, who gives a shit about the label 'real remaining rock band'. Its been all downhill in rock since Zep hooked a shark on their fishing pole.

Then again, I am a hipster so what do I know.

yael

if everyone could give their hipster tendencies a rest for just a minute, everyone would realize that pearl jam is the only real remaining rock band. their new single is great and they are just as good as ever, if not better.

Seth

Are you stupid, ignorant, or both, a condition I call stupignorance?

If you stopped for five minutes out of your busy day of being smarter than everyone else in the world, you might take the time to study up on one of the greatest musical groups of our time and learn that COUNT BASIE DIDN'T SING!

The Count, one of our nation's--nay, the world's-- greatest band leaders, never was "rocking the microphone" as you suggest, though that smooth baritone Joe Williams freqently did sing with the Count Basie band.

Lay off the coffee, Seattlest Dan.

Dan

guys, guys, alright. Uncle. This is not a "pearl jam sucks" post and it's obviously not for you guys who've been following closely all along. It's for people like me who think they're a kick ass band but may have been focusing elsewhere for a while. Those people should go get the free download - that's all I'm saying.

ken

That part about not remembering anything after vs kinda made me laugh and to a certain degree you would be right,if your litmus test for musical success was based on how many times PEARL JAM were on mtv trl....But with 60 million albums sold it goes beyond just a couple albums from the early 90s.Vitolagy was their masterpeice that debuted at #1 selling close to 6 million albums and earned the a grammy for spin the black circle which was released from that album....no code and yield also had commercial success but on a smaller scale with about 4 million units sold between both...music scenes change but their integrity didn't and it is totally unrealistic to expect any band to be at the top of the mainstream musical pecking order when they aren't whoring themselves out like so many other bands do,,,,,nice effort on your story just a little misguided

William Swisher

Funny all you can think up is news that is twenty years old. What about getting people out to vote? What about Last Kiss? Not my favorite song by them but hey it sold and sold well. The name of the last Studio CD was Riot Act. Pearl Jam tickets still sell out and minutes and they always will sell out concert venues but the one thing they wolnt do is change their style just to make you happy love Pearl Jam? Cool. Don't? Good one more ticket for the rest of us at the next Concert... Sell your washed up garbage down the street because im not buying your stale review of Pearl Jam and neither should any other Pearl Jam fan.

Dave

oh well i actually feel sorry for u if your ears stopped listening around VS, and that in itself says to me that you have missed out big time with albums like No Code,Yield etc. PJ do rock like it should be done, like Zep and the Who before all the bo**ox. Always asking questions of those who chose to listen. i'm fine with it and you must have your own mind on these matters but people must realize that PJ are one of the all time great rock bands not just for their early stuff but how they continue to push the barriers and chose not to conform. Long may they continue.

Rob

I do not understand why people like to take shots at a band that only tries to stay true to rock n' roll by not selling out to every commercial outlet that a band can these days, talks about relative issues instead of songs displaying how great they think they are, keeping ticket prices low and gives all they can to their fans by playing their butts off for every concert they put on. I guess you must be more interested in what "mainstream" America cares about these days...have fun watching American Idol with the other 12 year old girls out there.