12th album rumors and speculation

[bodysnatcher]

Remember when Radiohead just randomly dropped an album and was like “whatever, pay what you want”

That was 2 years before Backspacer. And both bands are roughly the same age.

They're both great bands with idealistic members. I also remember when Pearl Jam took on Ticketmaster because they wanted fans to be able to afford their shows.

*skips mortgage payment to attend PJ show*

[Anders]

...and there it is.

Big news is to make sure your memberships are up-to-date!

Second month in a row.

[Matters]

It’s just a tour. Not enough time between albums yet.

[Lounge Lizard]

Jeff's buffalo paintings are... (shakes head)

[RockPusher]

Jeff's buffalo paintings are... (shakes head)

This is some weird-ass kind of fandom right here. It always makes me feel strange how so many at this forum seem to love making fun of this band. Good judgment is a good thing to have. This kind of judgment is just kind of pathetic, in my view. But to each their own.

[Chris_H_2]

Jeff's buffalo paintings are... (shakes head)

This is some weird-ass kind of fandom right here. It always makes me feel strange how so many at this forum seem to love making fun of this band. Good judgment is a good thing to have. This kind of judgment is just kind of pathetic, in my view. But to each their own.

because this board isn't a cult, and what some people think about this band doesn't move the needle with the rest of us one way or the other.

[liebzz]

I think probably the visual isn’t any more beyond reproach than the music. One’s opinion on any of it I think is fair game. Didn’t we spend an inordinate amount of time ranking the cover art at some point?

I don’t see any more harm to riffing on the buffalo painting than riffing on Future Days or Pilate.

[RockPusher]

It just seems like there are a lot of people here who spend a whole lot of time trying to show off how they're too cool to be a genuine fan of this band, like they're here ironically or something. I don't get that. I'm here because I love Pearl Jam. I don't think everything they do is amazing, but I also feel a tremendous gratitude toward them for what they've given me. If it sounds like I'm painting with too broad a brush, perhaps I am. I know a lot of folks here love their early stuff and detest more recent stuff, and hold that against the band. I understand that. You do you. I also see how they've "sold out" to a lot of people here. I like that this is a safe space for fans that don't conform to a particular groupthink. Weird wishy-washy rant over.

[liebzz]

It just seems like there are a lot of people here who spend a whole lot of time trying to show off how they're too cool to be a genuine fan of this band, like they're here ironically or something. I don't get that. I'm here because I love Pearl Jam. I don't think everything they do is amazing, but I also feel a tremendous gratitude toward them for what they've given me. If it sounds like I'm painting with too broad a brush, perhaps I am. I know a lot of folks here love their early stuff and detest more recent stuff, and hold that against the band. I understand that. You do you. I also see how they've "sold out" to a lot of people here. I like that this is a safe space for fans that don't conform to a particular groupthink. Weird wishy-washy rant over.

Been there for sure at times. I usually try to take all the criticism as a bit tongue in cheek since nearly all of us who have the resources end up going to the shows.

[Ledbetterdays]

Rumored first show is May 4. If true, then an album release around Friday May 3 (or May 10) would track. When Gigaton was first announced, I think the release date was roughly a week or so after original planned tour dates were to begin. No idea on when first single will be released, but assuming it will coincide with album announcement/tour dates, then anywhere from mid January to early February would make sense for a May album release. But who knows? I'm just happy they are still making music and playing live. Getting 2-3 good songs out of Buffalo Asylum or whatever it will be called is just frosting on the gravy.

What I don’t understand is the apparent need to have a 6/8 month runway for an album release. These guys have been chatting about it since late summer, and Ed made mention unprovoked. So…if it’s “in the can”, what are we waiting for? This whole idea of timing it with a tour is so antiquated; as if their ticket sales depend on good reception of the record. There is zero correlation. We know from 22 and 23 the shows will have no problem completely selling out, and even if the new music falls flat, the same cadre will show up at the venues. If the album is ready, release a strong track, do about 1-2 months of hype, and have a March release. Why are they standing on ceremony and being so performative with it all? It’s slightly pathetic. Maybe they’ll surprise me and we get an album Thurs at midnight?

Theyre stuck in their ways and they dont need to be. Dinasours.

Just release shit, try something new, surprise us, put it in everyones itunes account.

I mean, yes 100%. There is no need at all even for a hype tour in the media. It’s as simple as the songs are done, produced and mixed, here it is. Why? Because even with the hype machine, no one is coming in that wouldn’t have anyway. There’s a few hundred thousand of us. We all listen to the album, most of us will buy the album in some physical form if not multiple formats for our shelves, and those of us who are motivated to see them will shell out big dollars to see them. We’ve been doing this for 30 years. We’re not hiding under any rocks unaware the band still exists. Chances are, people who will be turned on to their music as a result of said hype machine would probably have come around to them in due course because a friend, or more likely a parent now, will have shown them the music. It’s not 1991 anymore, and we’re not in Sam Goody perusing the shelves for something new and hot. We’re all just waiting. Waiting to wait, like an obedient dog. It’s cruel not to feed a hungry dog just waiting.

I think a lot of it is not about the music being ready---there is the album art, and the pressing of vinyl, and the coordination of what little press and previews, and reviews their media pets will get and they do and deciding who will get to leak the single, and whether or not they will be on SNL. None of the machine really can start until it is completely done. They also have to get their tour messaging right for radio for the single, so the tour has to be announced. That's not to say they could not drop a single much more easily than they will. Last few times they have been an MLB broadcast or Bill Simmons podcast or sporting events with teasers and "visualizers" and all we really want is a half-way decent 3-minute rock song with maybe a studio performance video to follow.

[Ledbetterdays]

Rumored first show is May 4. If true, then an album release around Friday May 3 (or May 10) would track. When Gigaton was first announced, I think the release date was roughly a week or so after original planned tour dates were to begin. No idea on when first single will be released, but assuming it will coincide with album announcement/tour dates, then anywhere from mid January to early February would make sense for a May album release. But who knows? I'm just happy they are still making music and playing live. Getting 2-3 good songs out of Buffalo Asylum or whatever it will be called is just frosting on the gravy.

What I don’t understand is the apparent need to have a 6/8 month runway for an album release. These guys have been chatting about it since late summer, and Ed made mention unprovoked. So…if it’s “in the can”, what are we waiting for? This whole idea of timing it with a tour is so antiquated; as if their ticket sales depend on good reception of the record. There is zero correlation. We know from 22 and 23 the shows will have no problem completely selling out, and even if the new music falls flat, the same cadre will show up at the venues. If the album is ready, release a strong track, do about 1-2 months of hype, and have a March release. Why are they standing on ceremony and being so performative with it all? It’s slightly pathetic. Maybe they’ll surprise me and we get an album Thurs at midnight?

Theyre stuck in their ways and they dont need to be. Dinasours.

Just release shit, try something new, surprise us, put it in everyones itunes account.

I mean, yes 100%. There is no need at all even for a hype tour in the media. It’s as simple as the songs are done, produced and mixed, here it is. Why? Because even with the hype machine, no one is coming in that wouldn’t have anyway. There’s a few hundred thousand of us. We all listen to the album, most of us will buy the album in some physical form if not multiple formats for our shelves, and those of us who are motivated to see them will shell out big dollars to see them. We’ve been doing this for 30 years. We’re not hiding under any rocks unaware the band still exists. Chances are, people who will be turned on to their music as a result of said hype machine would probably have come around to them in due course because a friend, or more likely a parent now, will have shown them the music. It’s not 1991 anymore, and we’re not in Sam Goody perusing the shelves for something new and hot. We’re all just waiting. Waiting to wait, like an obedient dog. It’s cruel not to feed a hungry dog just waiting.

I think a lot of it is not about the music being ready---there is the album art, and the pressing of vinyl, and the coordination of what little press and previews, and reviews their media pets will get and they do and deciding who will get to leak the single, and whether or not they will be on SNL. None of the machine really can start until it is completely done. They also have to get their tour messaging right for radio for the single, so the tour has to be announced. That's not to say they could not drop a single much more easily than they will. Last few times they have been an MLB broadcast or Bill Simmons podcast or sporting events with teasers and "visualizers" and all we really want is a half-way decent 3-minute rock song with maybe a studio performance video to follow.

[liebzz]

Yes, but then again, they did once put out an album with an avocado on the cover with a fake shadow because they thought the music itself was good enough that they didn’t need to put a ton of effort into the artwork.

[Ms Harmless]

that's definitely not all that I want

[McParadigm]

How satisfying, to find oneself balanced on the precipice of an adventure. May this moment last me forever.

[dprival78]

remember when they just dropped a "single" from a "forthcoming album" without any other details or build up?

what was wrong with that?

[tragabigzanda]

remember when they just dropped a "single" from a "forthcoming album" without any other details or build up?

what was wrong with that?

You’re talking about Can’t Deny Me, right ?

[dprival78]

remember when they just dropped a "single" from a "forthcoming album" without any other details or build up?

what was wrong with that?

You’re talking about Can’t Deny Me, right ?

you tryin' to talk down to meeeee?

[96583UP]

i wonder if Jean Tripplehorn will be featured on this album

[rick malone]

Tripplehorn is hot.

[Jorge]

I like Jeff's buffalo paintings