Release

Considering he has fronted one of the biggest rock bands in the world for over 30 years Eddie Vedder's track record with solo recordings hasn't been particularly good. With his only real solo releases being a movie soundtrack (littered with musical interludes rather than songs) and an album of songs played exclusively on ukulele, a proper solo album of real songs was long overdue. When Earthling finally appeared, produced by in-demand pop producer Andrew Watt, fans were a little concerned what direction Vedder would take things in. Turns out they didn't need to be worried, as the album is chock full of the sort of songs he has written for Pearl Jam over the last couple of decades - with a few surprises also thrown in. The album opens with the uplifting 'Invincible', an ode to the power of humanity, and swells into a great sing-along fist pumper. 'Power Of Right' grinds out the speakers with a little bit of grit between its teeth, allowing fans to smile as Vedder returns to his more alternative rock roots. Things get even louder still later in the album with 'Good And Evil', sounding like a punk song of Vedder's youth. 'Long Way', the album's first single, sounds like a great lost Tom Petty song - but that seems like the point. It's a tribute rather than a rip off, although it is one of the lower spots on the album. Alternatively, yet another single 'Brother The Cloud' is one of the highlights, building from a quiet start and then punching out the speakers at just the right moment. Vedder's vocals shine here, and he knows how to carry a chorus to the masses with just enough bait to hook them in. There are quieter moments like the tender 'The Haves', but these do tend to outstay their welcome a little as they come across a little too soppy to sit nicely side by side with the other material. 'Try' is a chaotic zydeco shuffle, that features Stevie Wonder playing harmonica like a deranged mad man. Elton John sings in everyone's favourite drunk uncle voice on 'Picture' and even Ringo Starr drops by to tap the skins on 'Mrs. Mills' proving Vedder has now truly transcended to being in the upper halls of the rock elite. The album closes with the moody, but short, 'On My Way' and leaves the listener satisfied with what they have heard. By all means, it isn't a perfect album - for one thing the production is flat and lifeless, and some songs are just a tad too. commercial - but all in all it is still a great listen, and a great 'first' solo album.