Is Backspacer PJ's Final Album?

dudeman

corduroykelly wrote:

So there has been no talk by pearl jam or anyone that this is their last album but let's start a thread insinuating it is. Why? Are you that bored? And doesn't every pearl jam album have the same theme somewhat on every last song on each album? Yea pretty much!

I am asking if anyone has deduced from the lyrical content on Backspacer alone, that everyone in PJ may not be OK and may not be around much longer. That seems to jump right out at me while listening to the new album. There is a sadness there that I haven't heard before on any other Pearl Jam records.

I'm not trying to predict anything, wish anyone harm, or insinuate that they're finished. I'm asking if anyone else interpreted the album the same way I did, and if they would like to discuss that. Nothing more.

dudeman

gettingright wrote:

either way, no matter how much "evidence" one might conjure up, the answer can only be conjecture at best. and, what if it is the last album? is there some reward for "calling it."

Of course not. That's absurd.

Jeanwah

dudeman wrote:

I am asking if anyone has deduced from the lyrical content on Backspacer alone, that everyone in PJ may not be OK and may not be around much longer. That seems to jump right out at me while listening to the new album. There is a sadness there that I haven't heard before on any other Pearl Jam records.

I'm not trying to predict anything, wish anyone harm, or insinuate that they're finished. I'm asking if anyone else interpreted the album the same way I did, and if they would like to discuss that. Nothing more.

Ok, I'll bite. Ed wrote all the lyrics to Backspacer, and the first time I listened the album, specifically The End, I couldn't help that he was not only looking back on his life and changing his focus on things and his future, that by the time the album's over, he is somewhat looking forward to changing paths. Don't jump on me for my opinion; it's really the first thing that came to mind. That he's thankful that he's been saved from his wounds and is looking forward to a bright future. Doesn't mean the band's over, but the album's lyrical story spoke to me of a personal journey and that journey may take him in a different direction. I still find the conclusion to The End completely depressing because I do get the feeling that he's foretelling of an ending.

Again, it's just. my. opinion. I understand if people don't agree, or don't like my initial feeling of it, but the OP was looking for someone to relate to. You never know; tomorrow I may have a different take on it all. I like to think and ponder over these things and I always am open to other avenues of interpretation.

mca47

Ed mentioned not even being half way done yet, and considering the guys seem to be happy and in a good place...
I think we'll see PJ for many years to come.

KDH12

YES

My Corduroy Jacket

No

LikeAnOcean

Who starts these rumors?

Band members have already talked about having enough left over material from Backspacer for their next album.. their chances of making another album are greater now than they've ever been in the past.

Idlewild

I'm Hoping and Expecting at Least 5 more Albums

Idlewild

I'm Hoping and Expecting at Least 5 more Albums

cutuphalfdead

Hmmm, prehaps I'll incite a riot.

Pearl Jam's last album should have been two albums ago.



Just kidding.

cannotstaylong

PJ Fan est. 1990 wrote:

i see PJ as being one of those long lasting bands that keep playing till someone who is a main contributor dies...like the who, they were around until keith moon died, but he wasn't a main contributor, then in 2001 they came back to play for 9/11 heroes at MSG, then John Entwhistle died, but he still wasn't a main contributor, both of them were replaced by younger "kids", but as soon as Pete Townshend or Roger Daughtry pass, the who will be no more...:(

the same will be for PJ...if anything unfortunate like Mike, Jeff, or Matt passing away, the band might still last, but if Ed or Stone dies, they are pretty much the driving forces of this band, and then they will end...thats how i predict it happening...fortunately all are healthy enough to not pose a risk of passing away anytime soon (all of them are pretty smart and grown up with kids and aren't all that into the whole Sex, Drugs, and Rock n' Roll...ok maybe the last part, but they aren't living the party life syle, at least not anymore)...if only ed would stop smoking...that's pretty much the greatest risk of this band ending shorter than expected

I'm not sure I agree with the notion that Ed and Stone are the only main contributors. Sure, Ed receives writing credits on most of the songs these days. But seeing the way the band interacts with each other and the way they speak of one another, I doubt that Ed and Stone would consider Mike or Jeff indispensable in any way. I'm not saying that is exactly what you were trying to convey, but I do doubt if the band would continue under the current name if something happened to Ed, Stone, Mike or Jeff. I'm not excluding Matt because I find him to be any less of a contributor, in fact I think he contributes more in terms of songwriting than any of the other drummers. However the other four guys are the core of the band and have been there since day one. I see them having a hard time going on if something happened to any one of them.

Who knows, however I don't find Backspacer or The End to be any sort of foreshadowing. The boys will be around making music as Pearl Jam for many years to come.

KDH12

YES