Pearl Jam Look To ‘Expand Boundaries’ On Forthcoming Album

If you’re anxiously awaiting an update on the forthcoming album from Pearl Jam, guitarist Stone Gossard recently delivered some encouraging news. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gossard disclosed that the band has laid down some new material recently, saying, “We've recorded some songs, and we're going to record and write some more. It might be that we're a song away or two, or it might be that we're going to record six or seven more songs.” The new release will follow up their 2009 disc, 'Backspacer.'

Rather than rush to the finish line though, the band is taking their time with the process. Gossard explained, “The most important thing is that we put something out that continues to expand our boundaries rather than trying to follow what we've done in the past.” Other PJ members have spoken out about wanting to move forward with their music rather than get caught up in nostalgia, and Gossard echoed those sentiments, expressing, “I think it's a good time to hopefully continue to experiment, and continue to shake it up."

Sound-wise Gossard called the new material “refreshingly cool” and anything but polished. In fact, the band made it a point to let things just flow and not get too caught up in perfecting anything. “It's just us in the studio screwing around, not taking it too seriously,” said Gossard. “I think that's one of the biggest problems in rock is people thinking too much, putting too much emphasis on getting things perfect or completely sorted out. Sometimes that sound of not having everything sorted out is kind of cool."

So while no release date was even hinted at, Pearl Jam are definitely spinning their creative wheels and writing new material for what will be their tenth studio album. They also are are gearing up to hit the road for a European in June. Until then, you can catch singer Eddie Vedder live on a run of solo dates May, plus Gossard who will be out with his sideproject Brad for a few select dates in May. Check out itineraries for all three projects here.