Where does Pearl Jam go from here?

RP112579 · December 2018

brianlux said:

PJWGIII said:

PJNB said:

They are going back to the studio for a new album. They will tour after that new album. Rinse and repeat. It is just a Christmas single. Yes they have done it since the start but it is not what it used to be and think that if they are not going to give into it what the fans want then it is time to move on. I do not see how this has any affect on anything else that they are doing.

Agree. I think it’s just their dedication to new songwriting as a band is waning and they find more and more artistic expression out of the shows over time. They just don’t want to force themselves to write something once a year any more.

I hope this means they put a lot of awesome work into this upcoming album.

The once a year single thing is done and over. Let's move past that. What about the future of the band? I hope you are correct in that they will put "awesome work into this upcoming album". Personally, I haven't been very excited about the last albums- not since the 2006 self-titled. Most of the work since then has been fairly forgettable.

If you haven't been excited for an album since 2006, and think their work since then is "forgettable" then I don't think you actually care where Pearl Jam goes from here.

willbarclay · December 2018

No need to jump on OP for asking everyone's thoughts on the future state of PJ. I think it's a fair discussion to have.
Also, I've read lots of peoples comments on here about Backspacer and Lightning bolt and the reviews aren't always that positive.

Meltdown99 · December 2018

They are just doing what a lot of bands are doing these days, many years between albums and short tours...music is changing.

stratmad · December 2018

Maybe music is not as vital as it used to be as commentary on the state of the world or the human condition. We have social media to thank or blame for that. Who needs someone else to speak about how the collective feels when we can do it ourselves about ourselves via a smartphone, while riding the subway...?

That said I would have thought being a band is more than just social commentary. Some of it has to be just the joy of making some racket or new noise together and seeing what comes of it. I feel that’s still vital to some older bands that are still together, when they drop new music. Even if they don’t stray too far from the formula there’s nearly always something different on show.

Fact based observation: PJ just don’t play enough together anymore as a band. When they do play it’s the same old stuff. For a band that used to surprise and engage me with so much passion and unexpected quirks, the way they have tapered off into comfortable semi retirement has been a bitter pill to swallow. I know they fly below radar but in this day and age of social media leaks etc I don’t buy the possibility they are holed up somewhere prepping new music let alone new music that will be massively different to what they have handed in for the last 10 or 12 years.

I will still tune in keenly to anything new they do. If I get to a show I will enjoy the old stuff for what they represent: the soundtrack to my days past. That’s all I’m able to do with what they are giving me as of today.

I wish the guys well and challenge them to prove this post wrong.

JB56195 · December 2018

I almost think it's time for an REM type of disbanding. Leave after things haven't fallen apart. After as many tours as I've seen them and going to 3 shows this summer I finally realized I have probably hit my fill of Pearl Jam. In a time where I have become more political than ever in my life, they band is largely writing music that doesn't have an edge. Half the material on lightening bolt belongs on a Vedder solo album or an Into the Wild B side. The songs sounds good, but don't need Pearl Jam to play them. I just want an album with some passion. That doesn't mean they didn't put work and energy into it, but I want some songs that to reach out, grab me by the throat, and punch me in the face.

pjhawks · December 2018

Switzerland. I think they go to switzerland

Vedd Hedd · December 2018

Remember a few weeks ago when pearl jam tweeted "calm before the storm" and "taking a break"...people were antsy that they were making a tour announcement and that an album was ready to drop.

Now they discontinue the vinyl and think the band is breaking up.

Thirty Bills Unpaid · December 2018

pjhawks said:

Switzerland. I think they go to switzerland

If they do... they can sell PJ Speedos!

brianlux · December 2018

KV4053 said:

This place is getting very melodramatic.

Getting? LOL

brianlux · December 2018

RP112579 said:

brianlux said:

PJWGIII said:

PJNB said:

They are going back to the studio for a new album. They will tour after that new album. Rinse and repeat. It is just a Christmas single. Yes they have done it since the start but it is not what it used to be and think that if they are not going to give into it what the fans want then it is time to move on. I do not see how this has any affect on anything else that they are doing.

Agree. I think it’s just their dedication to new songwriting as a band is waning and they find more and more artistic expression out of the shows over time. They just don’t want to force themselves to write something once a year any more.

I hope this means they put a lot of awesome work into this upcoming album.

The once a year single thing is done and over. Let's move past that. What about the future of the band? I hope you are correct in that they will put "awesome work into this upcoming album". Personally, I haven't been very excited about the last albums- not since the 2006 self-titled. Most of the work since then has been fairly forgettable.

If you haven't been excited for an album since 2006, and think their work since then is "forgettable" then I don't think you actually care where Pearl Jam goes from here.

Quite the opposite actually, if you think about it.

PJ_Soul · December 2018

I need to hear their next album before answering anything like this.

Spiritual_Chaos · December 2018

RP112579 said:

brianlux said:

PJWGIII said:

PJNB said:

They are going back to the studio for a new album. They will tour after that new album. Rinse and repeat. It is just a Christmas single. Yes they have done it since the start but it is not what it used to be and think that if they are not going to give into it what the fans want then it is time to move on. I do not see how this has any affect on anything else that they are doing.

Agree. I think it’s just their dedication to new songwriting as a band is waning and they find more and more artistic expression out of the shows over time. They just don’t want to force themselves to write something once a year any more.

I hope this means they put a lot of awesome work into this upcoming album.

The once a year single thing is done and over. Let's move past that. What about the future of the band? I hope you are correct in that they will put "awesome work into this upcoming album". Personally, I haven't been very excited about the last albums- not since the 2006 self-titled. Most of the work since then has been fairly forgettable.

If you haven't been excited for an album since 2006, and think their work since then is "forgettable" then I don't think you actually care where Pearl Jam goes from here.

This is completely wrong.

JimNastics · December 2018

To add to the melodrama around here... it has dawned on me this year that Pearl Jam has moved from the soundtrack of my life, to the soundtrack of my younger days. I would say this has been slowly happening since I started a family, and started getting old... whilst at the same time, so did the guys. I saw them at the O2 show this year and it really hit me during the show that I wasn't getting anything like the same feeling as all the times before, and that made me really fucking sad

Then it occured to me that the last time I had seen them was 2012, before we had kids, life was pretty care and stress free, no responsibilities. In years gone by going to see PJ was a big event, with a big exciting build up. This year, my wife had to remind me "remember we're going to see Pearl Jam tomorrow night?".

I do agree with others that the band has turned in to a nostalgia act, I do agree with others that this is largely because their studio output has dropped off badly after 2006 (in my opinion, of course). But I don't hold anything against them. For what they have given us for the past 25+ years, they can do what the hell they want.

guypjfreak · December 2018

One more album then they will call it a day ... Stop while there at the top . Gutted

Zod · December 2018

I don't think they'll break up anytime soon. I think they've found a balance they can live with. 20-30 shows (in most, but not all years). An album here and there. Plenty of leftover time to spend with their families. I think the reasons they haven't broken up are because they've found a balance.

I think they keep on trucking at their own pace. Their live shows are still amazing, so I see no reason for them to stop. Most veteran bands don't put out their best work in their later years. Someone used Neil Young as an example but he's more like a dartboard. He puts out so much stuff, sometimes something sticks. Also only really relevant to his fan base who still buys his stuff. Just like PJ is mostly only relevant to us the PJ fans.

brianlux · December 2018

JimNastics said:

To add to the melodrama around here... it has dawned on me this year that Pearl Jam has moved from the soundtrack of my life, to the soundtrack of my younger days. I would say this has been slowly happening since I started a family, and started getting old... whilst at the same time, so did the guys. I saw them at the O2 show this year and it really hit me during the show that I wasn't getting anything like the same feeling as all the times before, and that made me really fucking sad Then it occured to me that the last time I had seen them was 2012, before we had kids, life was pretty care and stress free, no responsibilities. In years gone by going to see PJ was a big event, with a big exciting build up. This year, my wife had to remind me "remember we're going to see Pearl Jam tomorrow night?".

I do agree with others that the band has turned in to a nostalgia act, I do agree with others that this is largely because their studio output has dropped off badly after 2006 (in my opinion, of course). But I don't hold anything against them. For what they have given us for the past 25+ years, they can do what the hell they want.

Good story, summation and well said, Jim.

Zod said:

I don't think they'll break up anytime soon. I think they've found a balance they can live with. 20-30 shows (in most, but not all years). An album here and there. Plenty of leftover time to spend with their families. I think the reasons they haven't broken up are because they've found a balance.

I think they keep on trucking at their own pace. Their live shows are still amazing, so I see no reason for them to stop. Most veteran bands don't put out their best work in their later years. Someone used Neil Young as an example but he's more like a dartboard. He puts out so much stuff, sometimes something sticks. Also only really relevant to his fan base who still buys his stuff. Just like PJ is mostly only relevant to us the PJ fans.

This sounds about right to me. They're not putting out anything great from the studio any more but still kick it live. I still can picture them putting out an inspired album again maybe one more time but then maybe not. Either way, no complaints from me. They done great work over a longer time than most these days.

willbarclay · December 2018

I think this will be their last album. After that it will be strictly a touring band.

FR181798 · December 2018

Its a little funny that the 10c has canned the annual single and people are acting like a member has left or the band has decided to end things. It was more than about time that the single was ended. Gradually later and later, problems with 10c members not getting them, nevermind the recent content which didn't really meet fans expectations. Just look at the shambolic 2016 single. For one reason or another they couldn't meet the commitment of a single a year. They did what was right and stopped it before another year began and they got further backlogged with these. Don't read too much into it folks.

brianlux · December 2018

FR181798 said:

Its a little funny that the 10c has canned the annual single and people are acting like a member has left or the band has decided to end things. It was more than about time that the single was ended. Gradually later and later, problems with 10c members not getting them, nevermind the recent content which didn't really meet fans expectations. Just look at the shambolic 2016 single. For one reason or another they couldn't meet the commitment of a single a year. They did what was right and stopped it before another year began and they got further backlogged with these. Don't read too much into it folks.

"Couldn't meet or just didn't want to?" seems to be the question I'm reading most lately. I really don't know. Either way, the problem was with making a commitment* in the past that wasn't upheld, not whether or not to continue it. Evolution? Why not. That's natural.

Also, I don't know who was most responsible for that commitment. The band or 10C?

HesCalledDyer · December 2018

FR181798 said:

Its a little funny that the 10c has canned the annual single and people are acting like a member has left or the band has decided to end things. It was more than about time that the single was ended. Gradually later and later, problems with 10c members not getting them, nevermind the recent content which didn't really meet fans expectations. Just look at the shambolic 2016 single. For one reason or another they couldn't meet the commitment of a single a year. They did what was right and stopped it before another year began and they got further backlogged with these. Don't read too much into it folks.

Where does Pearl Jam go from here?

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