So are they going to be the next big thing with this album?

musicismylife78

So, now that a segment of you have heard the album, is this their American Idiot? Are they gonna blow up?

Its accessible as hell, the most accessible of any PJ album since Ten.

I still think, there is no way in hell these songs are gonna get played on the radio, and no way, the gatekeepers of what gets popular thesedays, the pitchforks of the world, and the tv shows that have bands soundtrack their scenes are going to have much Pearl Jam.

have the guys commented on the track they want this album to go on? With Avocado, they explicitly said they wanted it to be commercially successful, and this album as I said is pretty mainstream, but I havent heard a peep from the guys reguarding if they want this album to be massively successful or if they are resigned to cult band status?

LikeAnOcean

It's a toss up.. this stuff is hard to predict. I think there's a chance, but probably not.

Adm. Glen Scotia

I don't think this album is getting the kind of promotion it would need to be the next big thing. Unless the next single totally goes nuclear (and it very well could) I don't see it happening. But who knows? It's their most critically adored album in years. Yet the market is very crowded with younger, hipper rock bands these days.

I'll say this: I expect it to outsell the new Creed album. That should be good enough.

imissyoualready

no they're going to be themselves, just bigger and next.

ScottBravesFan

They already play arenas, how much more do you want?

yield2me

ScottBravesFan wrote:

They already play arenas, how much more do you want?

they're also the best live performance on the planet at the moment...but I'm just saying

igotid88

if the songs are played on CHR stations. Like Z100 here in NY. Then it will. If it's only played on rock stations. Then it will have the same success as their last 5 albums.

AtlantaJammer

yield2me wrote:

ScottBravesFan wrote:

They already play arenas, how much more do you want?

they're also the best live performance on the planet at the moment...but I'm just saying

Some would argue U2, but that band sucks.

AtlantaJammer

musicismylife78 wrote:

So, now that a segment of you have heard the album, is this their American Idiot? Are they gonna blow up?

Its accessible as hell, the most accessible of any PJ album since Ten.

I still think, there is no way in hell these songs are gonna get played on the radio, and no way, the gatekeepers of what gets popular thesedays, the pitchforks of the world, and the tv shows that have bands soundtrack their scenes are going to have much Pearl Jam.

have the guys commented on the track they want this album to go on? With Avocado, they explicitly said they wanted it to be commercially successful, and this album as I said is pretty mainstream, but I havent heard a peep from the guys reguarding if they want this album to be massively successful or if they are resigned to cult band status?

Although I do see your point, This band is already big... "blow up"??? Fuck the radio... radio play IMO isnt necessary... just think about the great PJ songs that HAVEN'T hit radio on a consistant basis. Fuck mainstream shit. I just wann hear some ROCK SONGS!!!! Got Some is a niiiiice start... :twisted:

chicagobasba

Question? What, when, or why does it matter as long as you enjoy it????

Sorry, I guess that was 3... or maybe 4

igotid88

The success of Brother could also help.

DK23

Is there even people in the world still that listen to the radio and then go out and buy a CD? I don't know any. Music is so segmented and available through so many different ways now.... and a good majority do not pay for it.

I think the best judge will be Rock Band downloads to be honest. Ten accounted for 800,000 downloads to date, if Backspacer passes that then you know it's a hit with the mainstream...

igotid88

DK23 wrote:

Is there even people in the world still that listen to the radio and then go out and buy a CD? I don't know any. Music is so segmented and available through so many different ways now.... and a good majority do not pay for it.

I think the best judge will be Rock Band downloads to be honest. Ten accounted for 800,000 downloads to date, if Backspacer passes that then you know it's a hit with the mainstream...

Mostly on the pop stations. There are still artists who go multi-platinum. That's why U2,Green Day, Nickleback and Kings of Leon are selling well. Pearl Jam are not played on those stations. Well at least recently. Although I think they have songs that could be played there.

Got a hard hard head

Pearl Jam already have established themselves in the upper echelons of the music world. In that respect, I don't think it matters if Backspacer is acclaimed worldwide. Personally speaking, I would hate to see Pearl Jam break into the mainstream, a la Kings Of Leon.

I would much rather that the radio stations who churn out ten-a-penny-one-hit-wonder-pop shit continue to do their thing and stay the fuck away from Pearl Jam.

bigbadbill

I would just like to hear radio stations play more than just the old Daughter-Jeremy-Alive-Evenflow-Corduroy-Black-Elderly Woman song Pearl Jam has. It would be nice to hear something post-Vitalogy (even when there's not a new Pearl Jam album in the midst). Throw in a little I Am Mine or a tiny bit of Brain Of J. here and there. This, along with every song off Backspacer.

Adm. Glen Scotia

Got a hard hard head wrote:

Pearl Jam already have established themselves in the upper echelons of the music world. In that respect, I don't think it matters if Backspacer is acclaimed worldwide. Personally speaking, I would hate to see Pearl Jam break into the mainstream, a la Kings Of Leon.

I would much rather that the radio stations who churn out ten-a-penny-one-hit-wonder-pop shit continue to do their thing and stay the fuck away from Pearl Jam.

I would argue that Backspacer *IS* "acclaimed worldwide." There can be little debate over the fact that it's their best-received album in a very, very long time. Most bands that have been together for nearly 20 years would do just about anything to have a record so late in their careers received so warmly. Now, worldwide sales is another matter. Record sales are down with each passing year. It's hard to compare an album today with an album from even a few years ago sales-wise. Furthermore, I am not optimistic about sales in the states mainly because it sounds like Target doesn't have it together. This album has the chance to sell a lot of records, but PJ is going to have to release more single and tour to support it again next year.

Frankly, I don't care if sales only top three-dozen. It's a damned fine record.

Got a hard hard head

Oh, I agree with you - the point I was making is that because they're already established as one of the best bands around, the general opinion to the album would have little effect on their standing. They don't need this album to become anything more than what they already are. If anything it's more a reaffirmation, a statement and more than a touch of "fuck you" to the doubters who were, without question, waiting with sharpened knives and cries of "they've lost their edge" rising in their throats.

Physical albums sales, I feel, are on a slippery slope that is made all the more unavoidable because of downloads. The only way for record companies to combat this is to offer CD's at more realistic prices.

Yeah, and what's the chance of THAT happening?!

Adm. Glen Scotia

Got a hard hard head wrote:

Oh, I agree with you - the point I was making is that because they're already established as one of the best bands around, the general opinion to the album would have little effect on their standing. They don't need this album to become anything more than what they already are. If anything it's more a reaffirmation, a statement and more than a touch of "fuck you" to the doubters who were, without question, waiting with sharpened knives and cries of "they've lost their edge" rising in their throats.

Physical albums sales, I feel, are on a slippery slope that is made all the more unavoidable because of downloads. The only way for record companies to combat this is to offer CD's at more realistic prices.

Yeah, and what's the chance of THAT happening?!

Hey, the CD is $11.99 at target. $9.99 from ITunes. Not bad? But I know what you mean, and so do the record companies. Didn't universal lower their prices to $14.99 a few years back in response to diminishing sales?

I think the critical acclaim at this point is more important for them than the sales. Between Avocado and Backspacer, I don't think anyone can say they've lost their edge.

Got a hard hard head

The cheapest you can find it in the UK is £8.00 on Amazon (plus post and packing). Although this is a good price, I think that every album would need to be around this level to even attempt to stop the decline in sales.

But, back to the album. I'm trying to think of how many other bands have maintained such a high level for nine albums. There can't be many.

Adm. Glen Scotia

Got a hard hard head wrote:

The cheapest you can find it in the UK is £8.00 on Amazon (plus post and packing). Although this is a good price, I think that every album would need to be around this level to even attempt to stop the decline in sales.

But, back to the album. I'm trying to think of how many other bands have maintained such a high level for nine albums. There can't be many.

They have been very consistent. I don't know, I realize there are differing opinions about the albums among fans. I thought Binaural was pretty dull despite some very, very fine songs. I don't dislike Riot Act nearly as much as some people, but I don't think it works very well as an album, and there are only a few songs that have really survived for me off of that record since 2002. An argument could be made by many people that the Binaural-Riot Act stretch was a rough one. But PJ has never put out a terrible album, and they must be applauded for that.

The only other band I can think of that has been turning in good work for this long is.... shit... I can't think of any. Chili Peppers (Although I thought Stadium Arcadium was pretty blah)? Iron Maiden (excusing the Blaze Bailey era)? (Yes, I love Iron Maiden, and I'm not afraid to admit it.)

asktheaxis

You won't get it in Australia for much less than $20 AUD, that's over $17 USD. I don't think they'll ever be the "next big thing" again but it doesn't really matter. They wouldn't even have time for that anymore anyway.

dustinpardue

If Target kicks enough money to Clear Channel for airplay, it will be a hit.
It would be a great investment for Target since they have the exclusivity deal. Got to spend money to make it.

1STmammal2wearPants

Got a hard hard head wrote:

Personally speaking, I would hate to see Pearl Jam break into the mainstream.

Aren't they already in the mainstream, and have been there since 1991-2?

Ledbetterman10

musicismylife78 wrote:

So, now that a segment of you have heard the album, is this their American Idiot? Are they gonna blow up?

I bet the album doesn't even break into the top 10 on billboard because of this Target deal.

intodeep

I would say probably not.

I like the album a lot though, but who knows what kids now adays like. I read an article recently that they think Holden from catcher in the rye is a biatch. I loved catcher in the rye how can you think that :(

Got a hard hard head

1STmammal2wearPants wrote:

Got a hard hard head wrote:

Personally speaking, I would hate to see Pearl Jam break into the mainstream.

Aren't they already in the mainstream, and have been there since 1991-2?

Maybe I should have been clearer. When I say mainstream, I mean getting airplay on local commercial radio, along side Robbie Williams and Britney.

Laddie

This album could make them bigger than Jonas!

Mr. Pink

Is it possible for them to get bigger? BTW, I did hear a DJ in San Diego pan the Fixer on air the other day. After the song finished, he said that Kurt Cobain is rolling over in his grave when he hears that little pop nugget. :roll:
some people never let go of the past.

NothinMan

I don't think Pearl Jam will ever be popular in the mainstream again. They tried really hard to become cool again with the re-release of Ten. They tried selling their CDs and shirts through Hot Topic but the kids weren't eating it up, Peal Jam is still their dad's band not theirs. But why should that really matter to us as fans? There are many great artists who never get any recognition, at least Pearl Jam had their 15 minutes and are respected in the industry.