PEARL JAM'S "Lightning Bolt" Strikes #1 On Billboard Top 200

NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PEARL JAM's tenth full-length studio album, Lightning Bolt, has struck the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200, selling over 165,000 copies in its first week. Making for the biggest rock debut of 2013, Lightning Bolt also held the top of the iTunes Overall Albums Chart and Rock Albums Chart. Internationally, it became the #1 album on iTunes in 56 countries. The album also yielded "Sirens", which was #1 in 18 countries and also topped the iTunes rock song along with "Mind Your Manners".

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This marks the multiplatinum-selling Grammy Award-winning band's fifth number one album on the chart and second consecutive chart-topper, following 2009's Backspacer. It's also the first record in the legendary Seattle group's history to be released under the newly minted joint venture between their very own Monkeywrench and Republic Records.

Lightning Bolt has also garnered unanimous critical acclaim from top tastemakers. Bestowing 4 stars upon the album, Mojo proclaims, "its aching charm is undeniable", and People adds in its 4-star review, "It's everything you want from a PJ album: earnest, furious, tender, transcendent". The Los Angeles Times describes, "the album's most striking moment, the atmospheric 'Pendulum' is framed by ghostly guitar and echoey percussion as Vedder ventures into another dark night of the soul", and The Guardian dubs it, "a sturdy return to great form". Entertainment Weekly writes, "In fact, the band has thrived this long by heeding an ocean-like motion, shifting with crack assurance from choppy and punk-y to swelling and gorgeous, as if an enigmatic wind stirs it all up," while Rolling Stone claims, "the band's exacting musicianship, storied integrity and respect for fans — is key to PEARL JAM's longevity". New York Daily News asserts, "It pays homage to Pearl Jam's core style, proving it to be remarkably durable and fresh", and ARTISTdirect.com says, "PEARL JAM at their most pure and powerful…one of the year's best records".

Right now, PEARL JAM is in the midst of a nationwide headline tour, playing key arenas across the country. Kicking off 2014, the group will head down under to headline the historic "Big Day Out" festival in New Zealand and Australia.

This week also saw Late Night With Jimmy Fallon honor the band with a five-day tribute. On October 21, legendary Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell joined The Avett Brothers for a heartfelt rendition of "Footsteps", a classic B-side. October 22 saw Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold offer a stirring rendition of Vitalogy classic "Corduroy", while tonight country superstar Dierks Bentley teams with The Roots and PEARL JAM guitarist Mike McCready for a "one-of-a-kind performance". The boys themselves will grace the stage October 24 and 25.

Moreover, their music is serving as the official soundtrack to the 2013 MLB World Series. A partnership with Fox Sports will include extensive use of 48 Pearl Jam songs across the promotional and music beds for this month's World Series coverage, set to air Oct. 23-31 on Fox, and feature the group's music throughout November as Artists of the Month across all Fox Sports properties.

Catch this Lightning Bolt now at iTunes and www.pearljam.com.

Watch the "Sirens" Music Video here and a short film about the album by Danny Clinch here!

FOR MORE INFO ON PEARL JAM, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jay Wilson
Republic Records
212-373-0684 / [email protected]

Nicole Vandenberg
Pearl Jam
[email protected]

ABOUT REPUBLIC RECORDS
A division of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, Republic is home to an all-star roster of multi-platinum, award-winning legends and superstar artists such as Amy Winehouse, Ariana Grande, Black Sabbath, Colbie Caillat,  Enrique Iglesias, Florence + the Machine, Godsmack, Gotye, Kelly Rowland, Of Monsters & Men, Owl City, among many others.  

It is comprised of innovative imprints and digital business ventures including Brushfire (Jack Johnson, G. Love), Cash Money (Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj), Lava Records (Jessie J, Lorde), Loma Vista (Soundgarden, Damian Marley), Monkeywrench (Pearl Jam), NBC's The Voice (Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery), Republic Nashville (The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line, The Eli Young Band), XO (The Weeknd), among others.  

SOURCE Republic Records