I am wondering why they are waiting so long to release it. I mean they are done, played a song live. I am not expecting next week, but why not sometime towards the end of July? I know there's artwork to approve, and cd's to press stuff like that, but I am just worried about it leaking way before then. If I was in a band, I'd want to get it out as soon as I am done recording and mixing that way it's out before it leaks. I guess it seems to me they are taking a chance that it won't leak. I am just wondering and hoping for a friendly discussion.

Ed's allergy problems prevent them from doing the needed promotion for the album in the summer.

I know but if I told you, I'd have to kill you.

Yep, and the allergy medicine makes Ed drowsy and fat.

I cant wait for this album!

They have to tame the gremmie first. It's out of control.

And there's nothing worse than a gremmie out of control.

give the old man a break!

yeah, it sounds stupid.

not that I understand the problem with leaks...a release date is purely arbitrary.. people that get it for free will anyway whether it's before or after release date and most of the people interested by a leak in the first place are like us, going to buy it no matter what.
I just don't get it.

if anyone who knows the industry at all could comment I would be interested to hear what they think since I've often wondered this myself

b/c it's fun to fuck with fanboys.

The truth is that REALLY does take that long, I know a lot of people in the industry.

They need to get the manufacturing done, legal work, promotional items, flats, displays, posters, not to mention scheduling appearances on tv shows, magazine interviews scheduling, a proceeding tour's logistics..... It is not that surprising.

This shite is not done over night, there is a lot of work that goes into major releases.

Now, that was just forced.

Bullshit.

Complete speculation but...

1) Waiting to have this distribution deal finalised. From the Curtis interview, it sounded like there were still a few kinks to be ironed out

2) Promotion. Conan is likely the beginning but they've usually got to plan a lot of this promotion, from a single release (we've been told July) to various TV appearances to interviews etc.

3) Sales? September might be less busy for album releases, who knows. Green Day's new album has just come out and that was pretty big so maybe they don't want to get caught up with that.

Actually, even the biggest of releases can be prepped remarkably quickly, and plenty of major artists have done so. I'd imagine it takes longer to do it the way the band is, but even that must be largely finalized to be making the statements Curtis is making to Billboard.

Touring and market strategy probably are more likely candidates for delay. This is usually the actual reason for big releases being held up.

That, or maybe they're working out a distribution deal that will allow you to purchase the album with a carton of eggs.

It usually takes three months to press an album after a band has decided its done. Perhaps they've only just recently decided it was finished. And I'd agree with the other previous posts mentioning them ironing out last minute deals for how everything is going to work regarding the packaging of various formats and promotional materials.

In this day and age, they'll expect it to leak, so I don't understand why they're not selling it as a digital download immediately if it is in fact in the bag. It seems like they're not inclined to evolve their thinking regarding how to operate in this changing business by letting so much time pass until the release date. Consolers Of The Lonely was sprung on an unsuspecting public. It didn't do tremendously well because of a lack of promotion, but albums need to be released this way. Get it out there as soon as possible to encourage music fans to purchase rather than steal.

As more time passes, the higher the chance it leaks, and I don't want to hear a leak this time. I want the complete package in my hand the first time I hear it. But I'm also very weak and would easily listen to anything that popped up online. It feels like they're tethering themselves to a capsized boat and hoping for a rescue when they should be using their life jackets and swimming for shore.

I'm in the same eh... boat. I don't really would want it to leak already. I rather have these little bits fed to me than gobble it all up at once. But if it would leak I probably couldn't help myself. I'm a Pearl Jam junkie for life.

I'm gonna start to use this excuse for myself.

On a more related note didn't we hear just a few weeks ago that they were just going over the final mixes. If that was the case, why should we be surprised this thing has another couple of months?

On the other hand, if its only the physical release holding it up why not provide at least a digital copy now? This worked for both Radiohead's In Rainbows and NIN's The Slip, right? I'm pretty sure there was a decent amount of time between the digital release and physical copies showing up in stores.

i've told many why. why did ed start up another solo tour? if the album is complete with pearl jam, new songs are finished for the new ablum from pearl jam, they have been in the studio with the band, working, writting, jamming for weeks / months, doing tv & interviews on the high etc.. why did ed start / book another solo tour for the month of june and first week of july .. knowing this is all going down?

I've been wondering this too. makes no sense.

unless they pull a switcheroo on us and those turn into pj dates.

but that won't happen.