In 2007 , after Pearl Jam 's 2006 tour had ended , the band members began recording demo material on their own while staying in occasional contact via e-mail . Guitarist Mike McCready revealed at the time that he 'd tested out some ideas with guitarist Stone Gossard and drummer Matt Cameron in separate sessions as well . After the band was invited to record The Who 's " Love , Reign o'er Me " for the '' Reign Over Me '' soundtrack , they opted to call long-time collaborator Brendan O'Brien to produce their cover . During the experience , O'Brien and Pearl Jam decided it was a good time for them to work again on a studio album . This ninth album would mark O'Brien 's first production credit with Pearl Jam since 1998 's '' Yield '' . The band allowed O'Brien greater latitude in determining the sound of '' Backspacer '' . " At this point , I think we 're willing to let somebody cut the songs up a little bit , " said lead vocalist Eddie Vedder . " In the past , Brendan would say , ' It 's a great song , but I think you should do it in a different key , ' and we 'd say no . But now that we 've heard Bruce Springsteen has listened to his suggestions , I think we will too . " Bassist Jeff Ament said , " He brings a brutally honest approach to what he thinks is working and what is n't , and it really moves things along ... We do n't get weighted down with ideas that maybe are n't even that good . He 's one of the few people outside of the band that we trust with our music , and we 're really , really looking forward to making this record . " The band began working on the album in May 2008 , making demos in Seattle , Washington before recording sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles , California , where O'Brien usually works . Ament said it was " the first time since the first record that we 've really rehearsed instead of just going to the studio with a handful of ideas . " On May the band had " about five ideas that have been worked on , " which were given some instrumental beds later in the summer . Additional demos were put to tape in December , following a trip by all bandmembers but Vedder to Ament 's home in Montana . The singer later proceeded to put rough vocals on those tracks , and also brought in his own material for the band members to work on
2006 tour
Pearl Jam 2006 World Tour
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