Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

Album Reviews Mon, 13 Jun 2011 Written by Paul Kelly
Editor rating
 
 2.0 User rating
 
 0.0 (0)
Eddie Vedder's Ukulele Songs, his second solo album - read our review

Pearl Jam frontman and one of the key voices of the ‘Seattle Sound’ that inspired grunge has done the next logical film and made an album a-la Tiny Tim, solo, with a Ukulele. It’s every bit as interesting as it sounds.

His second solo album after 2007’s soundtrack for Into The Wild, is a simple affair. One man (two guests – Cat Power and Glen Hansard (The Frames)) and a very small acoustic guitar ply a bunch of originals and three covers, including Pearl Jam’s Can’t Keep (from Riot Act).

Vedder playing solo with a ukulele isn’t uncommon either on Pearl Jam records, so this move shouldn’t be too out of the ordinary for PJ fans.

Vedder’s voice is still as distinctive as ever and is given plenty of room, however subtle the room may be, on this sparse album. Intricate, delicate and very twangy, it’s an album that will probably do well for Vedder both from Pearl Jam’s now somewhat older audience, but highly doubtful any new fans will be won with this collection..

The album hangs together well, with each song clocking about 2 minutes, and 34 minutes in total, it’s an old fashioned album in many respects. A highly listenable and coherent effort that, if anything, gets a little tired with the mid-album tracks Goodbye, Broken Heart and Satellite.

Small additions stand out, like the cello on Longing To Belong and provide little highlights along the way. The track Sleepless Nights is another delicate highlight. However, the real highlight is Vedder’s baritone making its way through the classic Dream A Little Dream.

In many ways, this is Vedder’s campfire album, and it’s very listenable and inoffensive. Just like Vedder these days.

TRIPLEW.ME TRACK OF CHOICE

Sleepless Nights, Dream A Little Dream

BUY THIS CD

Find it at Virgin Megastores!

MAKSHOOF MUSIC SOUNDALIKE

Is it any of these?

EDDIE VEDDER - CAN'T KEEP (PEARL JAM 'COVER')


Editor review

For true fans only

Rating:
 
 2.0
Reviewed by triplew.me
June 13, 2011
 
Last updated: June 13, 2011
Although a beautifully put together album, a ukulele/vocal album is a tough going at the best of times. True Pearl Jam or Vedder fans will no doubt lap this one up, and for pretty good reason. And two stars is probably harsh, but honestly, it's a little tired as an album and there's only so much one can do with the instrument.
 
 

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