As long as Pearl Jam also releases the new album via their website, I have no problem with this. For everyone complaining, “What about indie record stores?”, Pearl Jam helped them fight the good fight. Ultimately though, record stores have gone the way of the drive-in movie, made obselete by new technologies.

The internet has changed the notion of “selling out”. Many people will use that all too cliche phrase with this move,more than happy to persecute artists “ethics” while downloading their music illegaly.

For all the people saying Pearl Jam are selling out, this isn’t an exclusive deal with Target and the album will still be sold at independent record stores. Pearl Jam as always fought for their fans and record stores and they still do, they’re nowhere close to being sellouts.

As long as I can buy an actual product… cd or vinyl …I could care less where I buy it from. People need to embrace buying a physical product again.

so……. Ticket Master bad, Target good?

This is the best thing for fans and record stores alike. The album won’t be sold in Wal-Marts or Best Buys, so record stores win, because true audiophiles will use those over Target. Fans who don’t have an independent record store close probably have a Target close-by.

I cannot wait for this album. Viva Pearl Jam!!!

What a joke they are such has beens they will do anything for a buck. Their last record was horrible. Eddie chedder looks like he is possessed or in need of serious medication. Stop worshiping this B- cover song band.

One word: SELLOUTS

mcache…do you truly not understand the difference between what was happening with Ticketmaster in 1993 (and funny enough, now)…and Target? Do the names Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, etc. mean anything to you? Seriously…

There is nothing wrong with what PJ is trying to do. The major artists of today are trying to find a template to recreate the music business because the labels are incapable of doing it on their own. Maybe Target isn’t the perfect fit for an act like PJ, but it is an attempt to do something different. As long as the music is good (as the last album was) then all these things don’t matter anyway.

mcache…do you truly not understand the difference between what was happening with Ticketmaster in 1993 (and funny enough, now)…and Target? Do the names Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, etc. mean anything to you? Seriously…

There is nothing wrong with what PJ is trying to do. The major artists of today are trying to find a template to recreate the music business because the labels are incapable of doing it on their own. Maybe Target isn’t the perfect fit for an act like PJ, but it is an attempt to do something different. As long as the music is good (as the last album was) then all these things don’t matter anyway.

Hey guys and gals

Were going to need juice and candles when we listen to Pearl Jams new album…who gives a crap where you buy the album, were all going to bring it home where it will remain forever.

“who gives a crap where you buy the album….” Maybe the people that have had to listen to Mr morality Eddie Vedder rant at every show for the past 15 years about antiestablishment.

What a wonderfull news.I celebrate you, Eddie really you are so successfull man, you are my mann:I can do everything for you because you stole my heart…
you know I’m waiting youu

It’s easy to call P.J. sellouts for doing a Target deal, and I’m sure they will be as it seems contrary to a whole career they’ve built up on swimming against the proverbial music industry current such as no music videos for MTV/VH1 for several of their records, taking Ticketmaster to court over monopolization of venues, and breaking from the Sony Music label to have their own creative influence. But then I consider this: I live in a town with no real music stores. Yep, not a one. They’ve all closed up these days. I’d have to drive 1 hour+ to get to a great indie music store and just think of all that carbon dioxide from my car that P.J. preach about not adding to the environment! I could buy it online from iTunes or Amazon or what-not, but call me old fashioned but I still like having a physical album with artwork to look at, and I hate paying shipping from the latter. But, guess what I do have in my town: a Target! I’d like to think P.J. are starting to poke their head out of their own turtle shell and seeing that if they want to wear the mantle of being one of the great big rock bands of our time then you have to make yourself accessible to the masses. And while I’m a big supporter of the “little guy” I’m not affraid to admit that I shop at Target. I bet members of P.J. have went in there a time or two as well. And I boycott Wal-Mart, so I like the fact that by parterning with Target they’re essentially giving the middle finger to them, so hey: is it really that bad they’re giving this approach a whirl? And, as an footnote; I am totally stoked about P.J. returning to their original “6th man” to produce their next album, Brendan O’Brien. P.J.’s Brendan albums are my particular favorites of their records, and I can’t wait to hear this one. Makes me more excited about it than I’ve been from the last coupld of P.J. records that’s for sure.

Hey Ryan,

Why don’t you go listen to Flo Rida or some other talentless deuche. You obviously have no musical instincts and probably listen to whatever MTV tells you to listen to.

New song sounds like a fusion of Binaural and No Code… “Hail Hail” anyone?

I’m proud to still have Pearl Jam making great music from the greatest scene in rock history, the Seattle sound.

If I had it my way, Alice in Chains would and could have carried on like PJ. But Heroin claimed Layne and thats that. Im not even gonna recognize that idiot William DuVall as his replacement. Sorry for the tangent

Their music is regressive yahoo butt-rock with vocals that might just as well be Michael Bolton as far as I’m concerned. I’ve loathed it viscerally since the first song of theirs I ever heard. The shitty influenced-by-PJ bands are really just icing on the cake. PJ followers are orders of magnitude shittier, which must reflect on the source in some way.

it is a shame that Pearl Jam has become the embodiment of fan censorship, regardless of their product rights, non-disclosure agreements, etc. Hard core fans are the ONLY reason that PJ has any relevance in the music business today. I am beginning to wonder if they should’ve been relegated to the state fair circuit years ago.

If you made promises and espoused principles for years, often ripping on others for acting contrary to those principles, as long as you when you finally break them, it’s because someone offered you a lot of money? There is no way to justify any type of partnership with target, about two years after the indie store only release of the easy street ep. They should have pulled a radiohead or nin but didn’t. Exclusivity deals with these big stores do put the nail in the coffin of the little stores. Big releases do make a difference because they sell. Strip away large selling titles one at a time and you kill the little guys. So, the greater good that was served by introducing new music to the people that impulse buy at Target vs. screwing the local store that brings in whatever would actually please the local demographic. Great trade. Then eddie will be on stage singing his songs about greed. Fuck this hypocrite.

A band that hasn’t been relevant or interesting in a decade is going to be the special guest on Conan’s first show? Count me in!

Ok look, I am a long time PJ fan of many many years. I am also not crazy about the Target partnership. But they do not have a record label, and looking at the what happened with AC/DC’s Wal-Mart release and Radiohead’s website release, they felt that what they are doing here is the best way to make their music available to as many people as possible. And to the music lovers who referred to PJ as irrelevant and nothing more than a cover band, I truly feel sorry for you. I mean come on, if you don’t like them, that’s fine. But don’t say dumb shit like this. Love them or hate them, PJ is one of the last true rock bands still carrying the torch from the days when music had emotion and feeling. Their lyrics, of which the vast majority of their songs were written either by Ed or other members of the band (therefore, not a cover band), truly have the power to move anyone, if they would only stop and listen. For what it is worth, this PJ fan is stoked about the new album and cannot wait to see Ed in Atlanta this summer and the band in Austin in October. Keep rocking PJ, you truly are the greatest rock band on the planet, and have been for years.

Expressing an opinion about the subject at hand in a comment thread where people are meant to be discussing said topic is being an asshole? The old “haha you spend too much energy on this you must have no life lol” argument. Bullshit through and through.
So why even be here talking about anything at all, ever? Why aren’t you out having a life and getting laid instead of bitching about people bitching about stuff you claim not to care about?

Pearl Jam are nothing now but conforming sell-outs. What a sad day it is for the real fans, that they claim to care so much about. They could be everything we hold them up to being. They have access to everyone right to give them lessons on what mistakes NOT to make. And for those who disagree, I’ve seen other bands, in this recession, give so much to their fans; their thanks, free music, their love. I’m not feeling any love from Pearl Jam, just their need for control, privacy and more profits. A re-release of an album with expensive packages during difficult economic times? Is this taking care of us — or using us for more income for them?? Think about it.

Look times are changing for everyone in every area. You have to go with it to stay alive. 15 years ago you could go to the little guy and be ok. But that is not what it is today… Do you think they want to go this way or have to.
I will walk…with my hands bound
I will walk…with my face blood
I will walk…with my shadow flag
Into your garden
Garden of stone.

I like Pearl Jam.

I’m not sure why so many people are knocking this move. Think about it, as artists, they want to get their music out to people, and they’re doing it without the help of a label. The article noted that sony was bigger than target and they were there for 18 years – nobody was complaining then. I dont think we’re going to see Eddie or Stone wearing the Target logo on their chests or anything.

They are artists that also have a business, and they want to get their music out to people in a way that gives them a lot of exposure. Target is much better than going the walmart route – probably dont have to worry about censorship.

Besides, they are going to be selling it online and through indie record stores. Be happy that they’re selling it on their own, cutting out a controlling record label and creating more music for fans to listen to.

people are knocking this because you cant be a self rightous hypocrite who slams other people then turn around and do the same thing. unless you want to become a joke.this was all about money money money by people who are already filthy rich.

If you hate PJ so much, don’t give them the air time and stop posting! If you do like them (and I do), buy from Target, if you don’t like Target then go to the indie store, if you don’t have an indie store, buy online, if your computer is broken, swallow your pride get on your bike and go to Target, if you still can’t stomach that then you know what, maybe go to the unsigned band night down the road or something.

Ok, look. At first I’ve got to admit, it all didn’t sound so good with Pearl Jam releasing albums through retailers. But then I swallowed by grunge strucken youth mind(less) antics and started to read both positive and negative feedbacks on the matter and realised a few things:
1. Pearl Jam was and is a band created from true passion of music and making art.
2. Pearl Jam was with Sony for 18 years. Sony is a retailer too…
3. Pearl Jam’s music and especially their new album will probably not show any signs of influence from the retailer giant right? I mean, music is music and retail is retail. We’ve stuck with these guys for so many years now and they have been loyal to each other and their creative spirit – I doubt that the outcome of this album will have little to do musically with target.
4. I am not saying that I am a keen supporter of the capitalism that is unbalanced, but let’s face it – it’s been around for a loooong long time folks and it doesn’t look set to go anywhere any time soon, so let’s be honest with ourselves and support Pearl Jam in their quest to redefine artistry and capitalism itself, isn’t that what mankind is all about?

Reinventing ourselves…

Unfortunately the better discussion thread regarding this topic is over on the Pearl Jam Debut “Backspacer” Track on “Conan” article

No Need, you said it all. What do you people want? A band to cut their nose off to spite their face? Credibility has already been established long ago. The music is not sacrificed by allowing specific retailers to offer the music. In many ways, it opens up additional avenues for the band to go down. I wouldn’t imagine that their live show will become a 45 minute extravaganza as opposed to 2 1/2 hours of pure musical PJ bliss that we have come to know. All of the sweat, effort, and pure energy that is PJ will still be! Get a grip people, this is a different day and age. It is still the same band that gave us all of the wonderful contributions to rock history. Grow or be left behind. God bless you boys as you embark on another journey throughout the world. Providing us with quality music that is for the most part a thing of the past. You keep growing, we wouldn’t have it any other way!!!

Jeremy, looks like you’re right..will be dedicating the next 30 minutes in reading through the posts…
mATTERgOD, you should check it out too. thanks.

Oh how it entertains me to see the grunge-era angst-riddled anti-everything “movement” is alive and well. I am glad that I can recognize the radical fringe quality of the majority of Internet posters, or I might just think that Pearl Jam did something wrong. Just look at Pearl Jam’s activist history and it’s easy to see that the band’s sense of responsibility to their principles is not just a talking point, but a mission that is carried out to this day. Did any of you detractors ever stop to think that maybe Pearl Jam decided that a partnership with a big box store with a long history of community service might actually have some merit in making the music more readily available to would-be buyers of their music. Probably not, too busy thinking of reason to be mad about something. Good luck with that! Meanwhile, I’ll be enjoying my new Pearl Jam purchased from Target (the only music store that will be selling the album in my area) very soon!!

I love Pearl Jam

Yeah they went with target for money and cause they’re desperate. Now because they suck they are trying to appeal to the masses not real music fans. I doubt the charity of someone who has to brag about allll the time.

PJ now has more in common with The Eagles and AC/DC than NIN or Radiohead.

i quote myself on another post from this page saying:

in regard of the new single & the conan presentation….

fuck it…i was hopping for a better song from the band….fuck me….im not feeling it..what the hell…what the fuck..what happened?…this does not sound like a brendan obrien-pearl jam collaboration …im not sure about this…if all or some of the new songs will be like this..fuck no…in that case i want adam kasper back on the radar….fuck you brendan o brien..i was hoping the real comeback of pearl jam from the vs-vitalogy-no code-yield days with you behind the wheel as the master producer behind those pj masterpieces…but you turned my favorite band into a u2 cover band..fuck you!…pj needs to release another song…cause i have lost my faith in them cause of that fucking song…specially brendan…the guy was my hero but he just hit low…to me he’s as cheap as rob cavallo right now…2nd rate rock song…very shitty performance (im looking at you eddie..got tired already?…with 1 fucking song?)…althrough im a big fan of the band since vs…i dont put pj on a pedestal…and some fans must NOT DENY that…this sounds like a new u2-green day product..with bits of solos & good drums..but nothing more…overall it sucks…..why didn’t they came up with a slow tempo song a la “all those yesterdays” or “I am mine”..time to mature pj…specially if you cant clearly handle it (yes eddie..its you again).. but clearly there’s some pj haters here… and im not going to discuss that cause i have that kind of feelings towards some artists out there today too(tokyo hotel..chemical romance..lady gaga..anyone?..who are much,much worse than pj)… as for the promotion of the new album…im a big follower of pj “anti-this-that” kind of desitions but i keep thinking myself now:…if they are so anti-stablishment then…why the hell are they doing conan & giving rights to rock-star video game? the game is awesome & it could get some kids to know pj…but on the other side..putting the anti-corporate pj just doesnt sounds right..they should be out there making free gigs & putting huge posters or sampling mp3’s…in order to support the new material…if later..doesnt work out in the sales department..then why the fuck should eddie care?..after all part of pj’s policy is about NOT bitching about sales or money…(ticketmaster anyone?)..im pretty much dissapointed with this band…and this song was it for me…im still a fan but at some degree…so if they keep releasing shit like this song…i wont buy it…fuck it..i respect myself…definitely…ps:i was listening into the wild..it was decent..& i think eddie should go solo…cause this band is turning into a u2 cover band/clone…fuck it…on other hand..kudos for people like bob dylan,tom waits,robert plant,nick cave & neil young…they keep continuing as fresh as 40 years before…i always keep returning to them when the shit hits the fence…just like it did with this situation…

The tubes that supply the interwebs are lubricated by rage.

xAuR83

The truth of the matter is that independent record stores are almost gone (I live in L.A.) and Target is everywhere. Fans had no problem if SONY released the music and sold it to Target…So why would anyone educated call them a sell out when they control their contract with Target? Smart Move Pearl Jam!

Just reading this…not so happy about it. Their albums get enough exposure and I would just as rather not have some dipshit average listener hear it anyway. I love this band and pretty much everything theyve done, but I am not too pleased with this. Stick to your core PJ. The day I see Pearl Jam: on a commercial, playing the Super Bowl, or hawking some shitty IPOD, I am done.

Pearl Jam is made up of flawed humans who make music just like every other band. I gave up on thinking they practiced what they preached when Ed married a model and had kids with her. I’m referencing the lyrics in “Satan’s Bed” where he sings “models models roll some models in blood get some flesh to stick so they’ll look like us… Such fine examples skinny little bitch …who made up the myth…born to be rich”. Well now he’s eating serious crow. Must taste good after being a vegetarian so long. Stop worshiping entertainers and expecting them to be perfect. I enjoy some of their new songs but stopped seeing them live after they played the Forum in LA a few years ago. It just bummed me out and I wasn’t a fan of Into the Wild. Nice but didn’t grab me nearly as much as the multitides of other acoustic male singer songwriters out there. They are just your average joe’s trying to make a difference in the world for their kids like so many parents in their 40’s. They just happen to be lucky musicians instead of teachers or accountants or engineers. Nothing magical just a lot of Marketing savy, money, and a fabulous publicist leftover from when they were the voice of a generation. Are they good guuys? Who really knows and who really cares. The only person you should ever have total faith in or judge is yourself!

Christ on a bike, some of these posts are comical. If you don’t like PJ why are you a) reading about them in the first place.
b)wasting your time writing posts about them???

Ok so some of you think they are selling out by releasing this album through target, but bugger me what the fuck does it matter? If you like them buy the album, if you don’t, then don’t, simple really.

I bet the people who sit online and whinge constantly about bands they don’t like are obviously trying to fill some void in their lives…..

This is why Kurt Killed Himself. He was Already a Halloween Costume By 1992.

PEARL JAM!
Any one with a problem about how the album gets out or where it gets out is actually depriving themselves of LIFE, Just be glad it’s here!, If you don’t like it TOO FUCKING BAD, I Really enjoy the new songs and the way they have been fitting into the set list (which unlike most motha fucking bands of todays trash heap) include those old school tracks, the rare ones, & Yes some God damn U2 covers, Who the fuck cares! Anyone who cares is just jelous that they’re not the great and wonderful entity that is the PEARL JAM Sound, I Don’t Know Ed, Stone, Jeff, Mike, Matt, or even Boom, or Brendan, but I do know the energy pulsing from the stage, I know the pound in Jeff Aments Bass (The Notes he plays that the human body can only FEEL), So fuck it! I’m grabbing a copy! BACKSPACER ALL THE WAY!