Pearl Jam Vie For Top of Charts

As "Backspacer" eyes the number one spot on Billboard's Top 200 for the week ending Sept. 27, what makes this such a tasty nugget is that Pearl Jam has been away from the charts for 13 years. The industry has changed greatly and evolved, so to speak.

Pearl Jam released "Backspacer" independently, without the backing of the major label machine behind it or a fancy pr campaign, opting instead to sell it exclusively through iTunes, Target, independent retailers and via their web site. That would have been unheard of over a decade ago, if not impossible.

Their last number one hit maker was in 1996 with "No Code" under the ever-watchful eye of Epic Records. No other independently released album has ever charted to the top. L.A. band Silversun Pickups scored a number one song with "Panic Switch" off the album "Swoon" on Billboard's Hot Alternative Rock charts, marking the first time in 11 years that an independently distributed label has occupied the top spot.

Other albums looking to enter high on the Billboard 200 chart next week include Three Days Grace's "Life Starts Now," Five Finger Death Punch's "War is the Answer," David Gray's "Draw the Line" and Mika's "The Boy Who Knew Too Much."

Next week's Billboard 200 album chart will be revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 30.