Fall 2009 music preview

Pearl Jam, 'Backspacer'

Due out: Sept. 20

Add Eddie Vedder and co. to the growing list of big-name artists who are forging ahead without a traditional record label. Instead, the grunge-rock veterans are releasing their ninth studio album through a semi-exclusive deal with Target; independent record stores and iTunes will also carry the album, but not other big-box stores and chains. Every track on the new album will also be available for the “Rock Band” videogame. Yeah, you ask, but how’s the music? Not bad, according to early reviews; Spin magazine wrote, “For the first time in years, Pearl Jam are seizing the moment rather than wallowing in it.”