one last thing before I quit

Sunday. September 20th. 2009. Finally.

Pearl Jam's new album Backspacer is out today. I love it. I managed to find a leaked copy maybe 10 days ago and I can't stop listening to it. It's got everything. The first four songs (Gonna See My Friend; Got Some; The Fixer; Johnny Guitar) just hits you in the face with the classic Pearl Jam rock that you'd expect. I wasn't even a huge fan of The Fixer the first few times I heard it on the radio, but I feel it's place in the album and I can't get enough now.

There's also a song called Unthought Known that is basically a tidal wave of awesome. Some critics have been describing it as almost a new Alive. Though I feel like it's a great song that continues to grow on me, I don't think it's going to be that inspirational to a generation.

There's some more tuned-down songs, much that you'd think were simply left off of the Into The Wild soundtrack but still important to Eddie. One of the best feelings I get is just driving to the whole record. It just takes a weight off of my shoulders and I just feel relaxed.

Now, I may be biased, well, I am biased, but I really love this album. I think it's a definite purchase for anyone who has or continues to enjoy Pearl Jam's music. This album isn't political, like their '06 album was. It's just the 5 guys getting back to doing what they know.

Also, if you pick up the album, you're given 2 out of 9 random live concert videos. Ya, that's cool. You should probably just buy it.

Here's a few of my current favorites:

Track 7: Unthought Known


Track 2: Got Some


Track 8: Supersonic

There are many varieties of sad stories that can be told. Some deal with life and death, dreams and aspirations, hope and miracles.

Paul Mawhinney has one that touched me. It actually also made me upset. No, it's not another 'Britain's Got Talent' contestant, but just a man and his record collection. Just watch. It's very self-explanatory.



I just don't get it. How could any music museum not want to own this. Or even just a record label. I think it'd be heartbreaking for this collection to just go to some guy who'll hang on to a few albums, then tuck the others away in the attic. Ugh. Does anyone have $3 million I can borrow?!

Music-potent post. Watch out. Here we go.

Pearl Jam played in Toronto the past Friday night. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists were scheduled to open. But their singer, Ted, was stuck at the border. So what to do?! Well, Pearl Jam decided to open for themselves. Eddie came out and played Neil Young's 'Sugar Mountain' and 'The Needle and the Damage Done'. Acoustically. Alone. Gah. Unbelievable. McCready and Stone each played a couple of their own songs, then The Pharmacists played a couple tunes as Eddie stepped in to sing.



While in Toronto, Eddie sat down with Alan Cross for an interview. Any Pearl Jam fan should take time to listen.

Their new album comes out on September 20th. But here's a new song that's made it's way out. It's called 'Supersonic'.



Next. Weezer was in T.O. as well, but on Sunday and opening for Blink-182. Their new album comes out on October 27th. It's called Raditude. Rainn Wilson, yes, Dwight from the Office, actually came up with it. Anyways. The ever amazing Alan Cross managed to also sit down with them for an interview.

Them Crooked Vultures have now played 4 gigs. Reminder: They are Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones. Video is now being released from these shows, and it's got potential. I'm very much looking forward to their album coming out. Here's a song called 'New Fang':



And lastly. Guitar Hero is making more and more band-specific games these days. And they just released the tracks for their Van Halen version. This will be a must-buy for me. I'm extremely happy that they're including 'Atomic Punk', 'Ice Cream Man', 'Hang 'Em High' and 'I'm The One'. Also, there will be 'Best Of You' by Foo Fighters, 'Master Exploder' by Tenacious D and 'Dope Nose' by Weezer as additional songs. This'll be fun! December 22nd. Hello Christmas!

Dave Grohl - Nirvana, Late!, Foo Fighters
Josh Homme - Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age, Eagles of Death Metal
John Paul Jones - Led Zeppelin

THEM CROOKED VULTURES

Yes. It's a cream-dream rock and roll super group. They'd been working on material for a little while, and last week they played a post-Lollapalooza show in Chicago. No recordings, video or audio, have managed to surface.

They then posted a snippet of a teaser to a song, Nobody Loves Me And Neither Do I, on YouTube last week:



But I have since found this! Today they posted a better teaser will some footage from the studio.



They're playing in Amsterdam tonight. Gah. I just want to listen to their album. Soon enough, I know.

After not re-signing with their record label, Pearl Jam's been on their own for the past few months. I think it's doing them good. They're playing shows of their choice, both in concert for as well as the TV variety, including Conan O'Brien's Tonight Show debut.

Earlier this week they posted a wonderful promotional video on their MySpace page for their Backspacer album, coming out September 20th. I think it's a wonderful insight on the album, told straight from the band. There's also previews of a couple new songs, as well as their single, The Fixer. I just feel as though this wouldn't of been made if not for their newly acquired independent label status. Kudos to the boys. This album is gonna be awesome.

I had heard a quick story about a cover album a couple weeks ago and I finally remembered to look into it the other day. The label that put this album out is called Pterodactyl Squad. They got a bunch of different DJs/artists to redo a bunch of Weezer songs. But not like you'd think. They're totally done in the old 8-bit NES/GameBoy-esque style. I can only recommend you to listen to it. It's even a free download.

*In My Head; Queens Of The Stone Age

Before Heath Ledger passed away last year, he had started to direct an animated music video for Modest Mouse. The song is called King Rat, and it's off of their new album, No One's First And You're Next, that just came out today.



Ledger had approached the band about doing the project, which I find very random, but wonderfully honest. Ledger's film and music company finished up the project for him. Anyways, just thought I'd share this.