Pearl Jam begins recording new album

Pearl Jam recently started recording a new album, which could come out as early as this year. According to Billboard.com, the band is currently laying down four or five songs for its ninth studio set. The guys are teaming up with longtime producer Brendan O'Brien for the first time since 1998. O'Brien is known for taking a short amount of time in the studio.

The upcoming album comes on the heels of Pearl Jam's 2006 self-titled release.

O'Brien has also produced Pearl Jam's Vs., Vitalogy and No Code. He linked with Pearl Jam last year to record a cover of the Who's "Love Reign O'er Me" for the soundtrack to Reign Over Me, starring Adam Sandler.

Pearl Jam will kick off a 13-date East Coast tour on June 11th, which will include a stop at this year's Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.