Single Podcast Theory - A Pearl Jam Podcast

Episode: Brother the Cloud
Hosts: Brad Lyons & Brad Blazek
Date: February 2, 2022

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brad Lyons and Brad Blazek reunite after a short hiatus to discuss "Brother the Cloud," a new single from Eddie Vedder’s solo album Earthling. The Brads catch up on recent job changes, personal anecdotes, and listener mail before diving deep into the new song—covering its musical style, emotional weight, production, lyrics, and possible inspiration. They speculate about the song’s connection to Chris Cornell, reflect on grief, and ruminate on the evolving Pearl Jam universe. The show maintains its signature warmth, honesty, and camaraderie throughout.

Episode Breakdown

1. Personal Catch-Up & Banter (00:00–12:00)

• Brad Blazek shares a major life change: Lowe’s, his longtime employer, eliminated box truck delivery, thrusting him into an uncertain position. Ultimately, he secures a transfer to another store, preserving his job but at a financial and emotional cost.
  • “Basically my job is gone. So I’m just like an extra body…” (03:38)
  • “The upside is Monday through Friday, weekends off. Ok, I’ll be the only driver…” (04:44)
• The hosts reflect on work upheaval and empathize with displaced coworkers.
• Brad Lyons recounts having a mild, asymptomatic case of Covid:
  • “I went and got tested, just thinking, well, I definitely don’t have it. And then, positive…” (06:56)
• General chit-chat about music production, podcasting workload, and why recording has slowed (“December’s always dead, then you get slammed in January” – 08:57).

2. The State of Pearl Jam & Podcasting (09:28–13:00)

• Discussion about the Pearl Jam touring status, awaiting news after cancellations.
  • "They sent that message out...saying, like, yeah, we're gonna reschedule and we'll let you know." (09:51)
• Birthday well-wishes and aging humor: “Once I hit 40...I have to do the math in my head.” (11:03)

3. Listener Emails & Tattoos (14:06–24:29)

• Read and discuss listener emails:
  • Chris Thomas shares a No Code-inspired tattoo:
    • “That’s kind of cool that, like, we inspired him.” (16:12)
  • The Brads exchange tattoo stories; Brad B forgets he already has a stickman tattoo.
• Other topics:
  • Longtime listeners send updates, including podcasting ventures inspired by Single Podcast Theory.
  • Discussion about the logistics of podcasting, time constraints, and the hope of ramping up once Pearl Jam tours resume.

4. Social & Cultural Digressions (25:00–38:00)

• Banter about current events, “First Amendment auditor” YouTube videos, and frustrations with modern public discourse.
• Brief conversation about the Neil Young vs. Spotify controversy, freedom of expression, and media polarization:
  • “It feels like we’re always having the wrong conversation.” (29:14)
  • “People are so unwilling to listen to people that don’t think the same way they do.” (31:46)

5. Listener Appreciation & Pearl Jam Community (38:00–39:31)

• Thank-yous for donations to MusiCares and a new Patreon supporter (Hans Burkhart).
  • “Thanks, Tom. We really appreciate it. It means a lot. For real.” (36:09)
• Brad B gets emotional about a Rearviewmirror + rave dancer meme video.
• Appreciation for the tight-knit Pearl Jam fan community.

Main Segment: Eddie Vedder's "Brother the Cloud" (39:31–57:00)

Album & Band Context (39:36–42:33)

• Discuss Vedder’s upcoming album, *Earthling *, and its all-star band: Chad Smith (drums), Chris Chaney (bass), Josh Klinghoffer and Andrew Watt (guitars/producer).
• Mention of possible future Pearl Jam recording with Andrew Watt (“Justin Bieber producer” clickbait headlines).

Song Reactions & Listening (42:33–47:18)

• Immediate positive reactions from both Brads.
• Live listening session:
  • Praises for dynamic “quiet-loud” structure and “big Eddie chorus” (43:39).
  • Brad B admits he hasn’t always connected with Eddie’s solo work but “this stuff is awesome. This is like a rock band.” (44:35)

Lyric and Emotional Analysis (49:23–56:43)

• Discuss potential inspiration: grief over Chris Cornell’s suicide.
  • Refer to a recent NYT interview where Eddie is guarded but transparent about the song’s origins (“It’s kind of obvious what it’s about...” – 50:34).
• Explore stages of grief and catharsis in the lyrics:
  • “It goes from being kind of like love sick for your friend and sad to...it’s the anger stage.” (52:26)
  • Discusses lines: “Promises even to yourself can’t be kept” and the gut-punch of “Safe for me. F--- you.”
• Personal stories about loss, relating to the song.
• Praises vulnerability in songwriting: allowing space to be publicly angry at a lost friend is both rare and emotionally honest.

Musical Discussion (56:46–59:58)

• Brad B: “It’s rock. These are rock songs. It’s a band.”
• Contrast with Pearl Jam’s sound: Chad Smith’s drumming and Chris Chaney’s bass provide a different feel, even if the core songwriting is Vedder-esque.
• Note the song’s structure, the journey of melody and arrangement, the “twists and turns.”
• “Not drenched in some kind of weird self-pity...it rocks.” (59:48)

Album Anticipation & Collaborators (60:04–63:14)

• Excitement about other collaborations on Earthling: Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Ringo Starr, and rumored use of audio from Eddie’s father.
• Reflection on how the three singles released so far are all different, raising anticipation for the full album.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On job loss and change:
  “Basically my job is gone. So I’m just like an extra body or...go spend the day in f---ing tool world. Something I have no idea about.” (03:38) — Brad Blazek

• On Eddie’s songwriting:
  “From a songwriting standpoint and from like a human standpoint...to see him be vulnerable enough to let that anger out, I guess, kind of publicly in a song...says a lot.” (55:05) — Brad Lyons

• On the community:
  “Getting messages like this really make me feel. Feel really good. Make you feely feely? Yes. All the feelings.” (36:09) — Brad Blazek

• About "Brother the Cloud" lyrics:
  “It’s almost like this song has like a couple bridges...there’s no previous reference for this level of pain. God damn, that verse.” (53:09) — Brad Lyons

• On media polarization:
  “People are so unwilling to listen to people that don’t think the same way they do. And it’s just automatically, if you disagree with these couple things, then you’re an evil… but I’m not gonna talk to you about it.” (31:46) — Brad Lyons

• On Eddie’s creative age:
  “He became the wise, not old man, but you know what I’m saying? The wise old timey.” (56:29) — Brad Lyons

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Brad B's Work Situation: 00:55–06:17
• Covid & Personal Updates: 06:21–09:28
• State of Pearl Jam (Tour News): 09:36–11:59
• Listener Emails and Tattoos: 14:06–18:51
• MusiCares Donation Segment: 35:01–36:16
• "Brother the Cloud" Song Discussion: 39:31–57:00
• Lyric Analysis: 49:23–56:43
• Album Anticipation: 60:04–63:14
• Humorous Domestic Clatter (“quality control”): 63:45–64:43

Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt, sometimes hilarious, but always sincere celebration of Eddie Vedder’s new release and the enduring power of the Pearl Jam community. The Brads’ discussion of “Brother the Cloud” is both a technical and emotional deep-dive, capturing how Vedder’s songwriting grapples with loss, anger, love, and remembrance. Anyone curious about the song—or wanting to reconnect with the Pearl Jam podcasting world—will find this episode a rewarding listen.