Pearl Jam new album

Pearl Jam Set the Date

Veteran grunge rockers to release eighth studio effort in May

Hard-rocking

Photo by Barry Brecheisen

Pearl Jam will release their eighth, self-titled studio album on May 2nd. Produced by Adam Kasper (Soundgarden), the follow-up to 2002's Riot Act was recorded in Seattle and will be the band's first for J Records.

"A couple of rock songs, a couple of ballads -- it's not rocket science," says Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard about the new disc. But his hopes are high: "It feels like a new opportunity for us. We're proud of the songs, and we think they have a chance to do a little better commercially."

Pearl Jam is the band's most collaborative effort yet: They produced the album together, each member will receive writing credits and for the first time ever guitarist Mike McCready contributes lyrics, to the album closer "Inside Job." Gossard has also contributed two of his own songs, "Parachutes" and "Life Wasted."

The first single, "World Wide Suicide," penned by frontman Eddie Vedder, hits radio March 8th. On the same day, the song -- which McCready has described as "very punky and Who-ish" -- will be made available as a free download on the band's Web site, www.pearljam.com/

Pearl Jam, who have sold more than sixty millions albums since their 1991 inception, will launch a spring world tour in support of the album. Details will be announced later this month.

AUSTIN SCAGGS AND JESSICA ROBERTSON @ Rolling Stone