Maybe, just maybe, PJ do know exactly what they want, and it's this. I think everyone finds that possibility the hardest to take. If we hate what decisions PJ are making, it's 1) blame BOB, and if that doesn't work, 2) blame PJ's lack of direction and interest, before finally, if neither of these seem right, it's 3) PJ just want Brendan's input now. They want him to deal with the commercial side because all they want to do is live life and make music when they can, so BOB is the perfect guy for the job because he'll do all the work. Point 3) isn't really entertained around here.

Well, not to defend RM, but your point three is really several points.

I think they accept him as a mediator and facilitator, sure, but I suspect the level of his influence has more to do with the delicate dance they do to keep Pearl Jam intact versus them really believing in what he brings to the table.

Yeah, very possibly. I'm just saying that whatever it is, I don't think we should see PJ as any more or less committed to, and happy with, the decision to have him on board. The second someone wants to throw their guitar on the floor and say FUCK THIS SHIT, they can. It certainly won't hurt their career.

they might think he does good work and generally value his input. He's mostly steered them right and they seem to enjoy the process of working with him. The one issue people seem to really have with what he did on Backspacer is the just breathe chorus, and that song was a big hit, which I'm sure the band hardly minded. Maybe LB is full of terrible choices, but we're not going to really be able to tell until we hear the songs.

Yup. There's quite a bit of talk of time-changes and odd rhythms on this thing. I'm looking forward to finding out whether that's wild exaggeration or not.

I get this picture more and more with every interview we get. Baseless sensationalist speculation:

The band and BoB tend to spew random ass kissing shit to keep eddie happy 'blah blah hes amazing, could never make a record without him', eddie returns the favour usually with a 'stone wrote my favourite song ever' and according to BoB goes around trying to please everyone when writing shit.

It sounds like everyones worried theyre gonna piss someone off and the break up the band or something.

Or maybe that's all bullshit and everyones just an awkward weirdo in interviews.

FTFY

i wanna hear more about johnny guitar watson.

Mike says album 11 is going to be their best yet. The band's really getting along, hanging out and having fun. The rock songs are more rocky and the mellow songs are more mellow and contemplative. It's really an album of extremes. Edge's playing is on fire, a true guiter hero. Daltrey's singng his ass off, sounding twenty years younger than he is. And Grohl, he's just a beast on the drums but really knowing when to leave space. Flea is locked in and just popping and grooving on bass, laying down some monster lines. Really looking forward to taking these songs out on the road and playing for the fans.

Did they say anything about how well the songs integrate into the setlists?

This may be the best post you've ever written.

No but he did mention they were thinking of playing the album back to back to back on tour. They're just that into the new songs and feel that the fans would buy into that type of new and novel presentation. They feel it would be a huge step forward for the band and really mark artistic growth and maturity.

I bet it brings in a lot of new fans.

B'OB says this, Lightning Bolt and Backspacer feel like one huge album.

To him. I'm not sure he meant the sound of it.

Are you ever sure what he means?

Well, if he's not producing it, then the 11th album will be dead to him. "It doesn't exist."

No, are you?

Backspacer > Lightning Bolt > 11th Album... the trilogy.