EDDIE VEDDER
Earthling (Seattle Surf)
It’s very hard to know what to make of the good but sprawling solo release that is Earthling from Pearl Jam frontman, Eddie Vedder. There’s material that masquerades as a passable Tom Petty song (Long Way) and, in the middle of the album, some pretty heavy songs that would appeal to Vedder’s more hardcore audience.
Through his day job with Pearl Jam, the legendary Seattle grunge singer has enjoyed decades of success, moving from his rockier origins to the more sedate modern albums. But 2020’s Gigaton was, for most, a better balance of material from the band that released Go almost 30 years ago. Perhaps putting aside his lighter material for a solo side project – duets with Elton John and the Beatles-esque Mrs Mills for example – has focused Vedder’s rock writing for the main event albums.
In the meantime, pretty much anyone on the planet could find something to enjoy from Vedder in Earthling.
words JOHN-PAUL DAVIES