REVIEW: Eddie Vedder - Ukulele Songs

Eddie Vedder
Ukulele Songs
(Universal)
(out of 5)

Every massively successful rockstar gets to a point in his or her life - usually after the age of 40 - when the critics and the album sales no longer matter, and money and fame afford you a certain degree of invincibility. You attempt to buy protected land for eco ventures (see: Edge, The) and you move to the other side of the world in search of a utopian paradise (see Tankian, Serj).

You also get to a stage where your creativity is off the Richter due to the massive amount of time on your hands, with both good and bad results.

This results in unusual recordings, often with unusual instruments and unexpected bandmates, and destined to be purchased by only the most diehard of fans.

That’s exactly what I predict will be the fate of Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder’s tribute to the great Hawaiian guitar, a.k.a the ukulele. Called Ukulele Songs, it’s his second full length solo album and a nice little listen, in particular the duets - one of which is with Cat Power - and a couple of tracks that showcase his big voice and dark themes rendered even more powerful against the sound of the wistful and vintage ukulele.

Some - like the aforementioned Cat Power duet - transport you straight to some jazz age Hawaiian lawn party, whilst others sound like Pearl Jam tracks rendered on the uke, due to the fact that Ed’s voice is so inextricably linked to his former band.

Either way, it’s worth a listen, and could just be the soundtrack to the summer.

Eddie Vedder - Longing To Belong

By Helene Ravlich