March 21, 2006

Pearl Jam's Avocado Cover

Some debate on Golden Fiddle as to whether this really is Pearl Jam's new album cover.

My sources say it's legit. I'm speechless. And hungry for guacamole (lime juice = key).

Posted at 12:29 PM
Tags: Pearl Jam

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54 Comments

as a graphic designer, i can without a doubt say this looks like crap—or worse.

Posted by: mattshu at 03/21/06 12:41 PM | Reply
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lime juice is key! As is chopped green onion.

Posted by: memememe at 03/21/06 12:56 PM | Reply
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I will be absolutely surprised if this is the actual cover, but I'm not convinced yet...all the prior liner notes and covers have had pretty impressive themes (sans riot act) so I don't think this is the final deal. Smells like an early April Fools joke.

Posted by: Dugan at 03/21/06 1:04 PM | Reply
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I work at J Records... this is definetly the real cover.

Posted by: gypsymazzurco at 03/21/06 1:09 PM | Reply
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this is without a doubt the cover.

Posted by: Paul at 03/21/06 1:12 PM | Reply
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Why's everybody gotta hate on the avocado. I like it. Might have changed the background blue a bit, but whatevs.

Posted by: j at 03/21/06 1:14 PM | Reply
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Notice the full-circle shadow beneath the halved avocado... so very home-job, low-fi Photoshop (and not legit).

Posted by: tom domaso at 03/21/06 1:20 PM | Reply
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I like it. Certainly worthy of a )Gummy( nomination for "Best Use Of Fruit or Vegetable On Album Cover" (though VU is a lock to win that one every year).

Posted by: amrit at 03/21/06 1:26 PM | Reply
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You know what the world needs? More graphic designers sharing their unsolicited opinions.

Posted by: Ben at 03/21/06 1:35 PM | Reply
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Not bad, it stands out.

Posted by: Chris at 03/21/06 1:36 PM | Reply
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that is old news... pondracket.com had this same post DAYS ago

Posted by: lucus at 03/21/06 1:56 PM | Reply
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you know what the world really needs? less people named ben.

Posted by: yo mama at 03/21/06 2:26 PM | Reply
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I'm a graphic designer, and my unsolicited opinion is that it is boring. Wait a moment... "unsolicited"? I think the very heart of Stereogum is in soliciting opinions. What would Stereogum be without opinions? So, my opinion (solicited or otherwise) is that yo mama is spot on.

Posted by: GoCatGo at 03/21/06 2:34 PM | Reply
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but you guys my name is ben too.....

Posted by: ben at 03/21/06 2:47 PM | Reply
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I think it'd be ok if "Pearl Jam" was set in a different font and the avacado was removed. It would be boring but better.

Posted by: sstroud at 03/21/06 2:59 PM | Reply
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what a disaster.

Posted by: chris at 03/21/06 3:16 PM | Reply
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Yep, I also thought it was fake when I got an email from "the rep" but I checked on the J Records site and it is definitely there too.

Posted by: heather at 03/21/06 3:38 PM | Reply
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Nice over-use of the shadow effect. Is that avacado supposed to look like it's hovering an inch off the...blue tarp?

Looks as good as the typical cover on a $5 bootleg mixtape.

Posted by: Coolfer at 03/21/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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if that's real, it blows. they've had some cool album covers ('no code', 'binaural') and some shitty ones ('ten', 'vitalogy') so maybe it's just hit and miss with them. this will be the worst though, hands down, if it's real.

in addition to lime juice and green onion it's good to add a little garlic and a thinly diced chili pepper. crucial!

Posted by: s at 03/21/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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remove seed. fill avocado cavity with soy sauce.

eat and enjoy.

this has been another gourmet recipe by the 10 second chef.

Posted by: Automotive Acne at 03/21/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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Drive-Thru just called,

Hellogoodbye wants their motif back

Posted by: fleez rock at 03/21/06 3:45 PM | Reply
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I'm an unsolicited internet troll. Believe me when I say they should have removed the pit and put Vedder's head in the avacado.

Also, that font is so April 2004.

Also, who cares?

Posted by: Chris Cornell at 03/21/06 4:11 PM | Reply
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I do not care what is on the cover of a Pearl Jam album. I would buy it if it had Hello Kitty on it.

Posted by: LL Cool F at 03/21/06 4:16 PM | Reply
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buy it?

who pays for music?

Posted by: Caca at 03/21/06 4:39 PM | Reply
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Somehow, I can assure you this is what the album will look like on the shelves.

You see, it comes packaged with half an avacado--pit and all. You're looking at the product placement image. Once the shrinkwrap is removed and the avacado is eaten, it's just a blue cover with "Pearl Jam" on it. That's why it's just a shitty photoshopped image--it's only a placeholder for now.

Posted by: Jasper at 03/21/06 4:45 PM | Reply
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from wiki:

"Barlow & Martin (2002) identify the avocado as a fruit adapted for ecological relationship with large mammals, now extinct (as for example the South American herbivorous giant ground sloths or the Gomphotheres). This fruit with its mildly toxic pit, co-evolved with those extinct mammals TO BE SWALLOWED WHOLE AND EXCRETED IN DUNG, READY TO SPROUT. The ecological partners have disappeared, and THE AVOCADO PLANT HAS NOT HAD TIME (OR REASON) TO EVOLVE..."

Posted by: jeb at 03/21/06 5:26 PM | Reply
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mmmm...tasty.

a bit of tabasco and chopped tomatoes is key for delish guac.

Posted by: Merry Swankster at 03/21/06 5:48 PM | Reply
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uh....hello. is no one going to mention cilantro? It aint guac without cilantro.

You can also leave the pit in the guac and it will stay fresh longer.

Posted by: jeremy at 03/21/06 6:27 PM | Reply
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Um, A Ghost Is Born, anyone?

Posted by: p at 03/21/06 7:47 PM | Reply
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it's supposed to look like a vagina. duh.

Posted by: brian at 03/21/06 11:25 PM | Reply
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Just checked AMAZON.COM and...

That's the cover!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ETQRCM

Not quite as bad as the Red hot Chili Peppers cover, tho.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EMGAOY

Posted by: Tom Selleck at 03/22/06 1:48 AM | Reply
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oh dear.
man, even the pit looks cut & paste.

Posted by: angela at 03/22/06 2:42 AM | Reply
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perhaps a shout-out to their fan forum, the "message pit"

Posted by: chico at 03/22/06 9:26 AM | Reply
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Better than the cover for "Riot Act". What was that, midget skeletons?

Posted by: jim at 03/22/06 9:39 AM | Reply
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the Avocado is on the loose...

http://www.pix8.net/pro/pic/1333GAJzI/823502.jpg

Posted by: dontgimmienolip at 03/22/06 9:52 AM | Reply
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some may say that this is another political statement, either way I like it!:

http://petrak.cagreens.org/longbeach/avocado.htm#dec

Posted by: brassbonanza at 03/22/06 10:16 AM | Reply
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such a Kevin Johansen rip off...
"Sittin’ on a bencho, waitin’ for the teco guacamole"

http://www.kevinjohansen.com/ing/thenada.php

Posted by: no te paltees at 03/22/06 10:57 AM | Reply
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The RHCP cover broke my eyes. The humanity!

Posted by: Josh at 03/22/06 11:50 AM | Reply
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I made an alternate album cover the other day, I think it's better than the avacado.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v61/nomorecrackpipes/cat-pj.gif

Posted by: Nate at 03/22/06 1:16 PM | Reply
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definite political statement...

Anybody hear of the Avocado Declaration...Look it up!

I like covers that make you think a little. his one makes you wonder...Why Avocado...?

Posted by: Nome at 03/24/06 8:50 PM | Reply
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definite political statement...

Anybody hear of the Avocado Declaration...Look it up!

I like covers that make you think a little. this one makes you wonder...Why Avocado...?

Posted by: Nome at 03/24/06 8:51 PM | Reply
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I like the cover considering Pj has always done it there way so obviously this covers has a meaning and for true Pj fans you will respect it no matter the cover.

Posted by: J at 03/28/06 9:10 PM | Reply
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I like avocados alot and will by the Cd because I like them.

Posted by: Gene In Denver at 03/28/06 9:13 PM | Reply
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The Acocado is a fruit that has adapted for ecological relationship with large mammals. Therefore, the fruit represents humanity and our adaption in everyday life. The Pit of the Avocado is mildly toxic which represents the government and the worlds problems. The Pit cannot be digested and if replanted will continue the cycle, representing the human race and our continuing problems in a world trying to evolve. This is my best guess from what I could gather from listening to just two of the new songs.

Posted by: JS at 03/28/06 9:39 PM | Reply
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I like the cover its diffrent the past two album covers have been dark this is nice and bright it stands out gives a possitive feel about the album. to the graphic designers, who cares what you guys are saying if you were so good at what you do you'd be working for someone as big as pearl jam but your all not even close to that success!

Posted by: Kelly at 04/01/06 10:32 AM | Reply
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wow, I was just trying to get the album cover to go with the single I downloaded and I think you guys have covered almost every angle of possiblity as to why an avacado was used.. except one... the guys got drunk/stone (whatever now days) and thought they could get an interesting reponse by putting something meaningless on the cover... ?

Posted by: Nik at 04/01/06 11:51 PM | Reply
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ya'll suck. whos cares bout a damned california fruit, unless you are in fact a fruit just the same. smoke another one hippies

Posted by: Skynyrd Rocks at 04/03/06 8:20 PM | Reply
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Oh I'm a graphic designer and know everything about art...blah blah blah! Get over yourselves!

I think the avo rocks!

Posted by: LukeD at 04/16/06 3:42 PM | Reply
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It looks ok. I like the Riot Act cover btw, it's really cool, pity the music inside is utter gash.

Posted by: jaffa the frog at 04/16/06 7:08 PM | Reply
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It is all new. But I am a little worn out.
I may just have to eat that Avo soon.

Posted by: Angry Avo at 04/17/06 4:03 PM | Reply
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