Pearl Jam Guitarist Stone Gossard Releases Moonlander, First Solo Album Since 2001’s ‘Bayleaf’

Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard released his second solo album, Moonlander, on Tuesday. The 46-year-old had not put out a solo record since Bayleaf in 2001.

According to Rolling Stone, Gossard combed more than 50 demos and song pieces from the last 12 years, including selections from Pearl Jam and his other band, Brad.

"I went back through everything and said, 'Does this still excite me? Does this sound dated?" Gossard said. "I quickly picked the 10 or 11 that I wanted to kind of focus on."

Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron helped out on the album and contributed his skills to the in-your-face track "Battle Cry."

"I'm just hoping the vocal can stand up to all of that Matt Cameron," Gossard said.

Fellow Pearl Jam members Eddie Vedder and Jeff Ament have broken off to do solo tours in the past, but Gossard may not go down that road.

"I don't have any plans to do any dates; I think that making the record is one thing but going out and playing shows is another. I may have the opportunity to do that, but I think I'm going to weigh that out as we go along," Gossard said. "I think if there's a big outcry for Moonlander live dates, I'll respond. If the record is climbing the charts - I'm saying this laughing ­­- I think that some of that will dictate if there's an opportunity to do some songs."

"The main thing with the record was really just finishing something, saying, 'Yeah, I can write a song and I like to go into the studio and screw around, and these are my favorites from the last 10 years.'"

Pearl Jam is finishing up its latest new album, which could be released later in 2013.