Note that this is entirely educated speculation on my part…

Billboard has confirmed reports that the seminal 90’s alt-rock band Pearl Jam, who currently has no record label, has struck a deal with Target to distribute its latest album, tentatively titled “Backspacer.”  The original fear was that the album would be Target exclusive but Billboard has also confirmed that the album will be sold by a number of partners including “a gaming company.”

More proof comes via Kelly Curtis, who has managed Pearl Jam since day one, in bold…

“I make decisions around the band’s business that are consistent with their overall philosophy,” said Curtis, “which is to sell music in a way that’s accessible and affordable to their fans, on every distribution platform that their fans access music, and in a way that takes care of the little guys.

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“I wanted our plan to be multi-dimensional to address old and modern ways of fans accessing music. It will allow all of our fans to have the same access.”

What do you think? Am I totally off base here? Rock Band and HMX already have a very lucrative, public relationship with the band having already released their grunge classic Ten as full album DLC in late March of 09 as well as a handful of live tracks both old and new. I can’t see them going to Neversoft and Guitar Hero, so who else could they be talking about?

Full article here.