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Rating: Eddie Vedder gifts us with an album, his first solo work, where folk rock takes center stage. Totally different from the productions created with the Pearl Jam, this debut is rather varied. It ranges from the gritty sound of the electric guitar in "Far Behind" and "Hard Sun" (a cover by American singer-songwriter Gordon Peterson aka Indio) to the soothing mandolin in "Rise," passing through the melancholic "Long Nights" and arriving at the piece with one of the most interesting lyrics of the entire album: "Society" (written by Jerry Hannan).
Listening to this album during a train, car, ship, or any other means of transport will make you relive the sensations felt during the film's viewing. The words used in the lyrics, thanks to the warm and gritty voice of Vedder, along with the sound of his guitar, are perfect for describing the physical and mental journey faced by the protagonist of the film (based on a true story). The film tells the story of a boy who, after graduating, decides to embark on a journey that takes him across the United States (those who've read "On the Road" by Kerouac might experience some déjà vu), leaving everything and everyone, including his family. The phrase "Consider me a satellite forever orbiting" contained in the song "Guaranteed" conveys well the lifestyle of the protagonist, and the music, performed with an acoustic guitar, perfectly complements the unique voice of Our Man. There are two instrumental songs, about a minute long, "Tuolumne" and "The Wolf" (where Vedder, in reality, hums a melody without lyrics). The work of the singer-songwriter from Illinois is completed by the first track "Settling Forth" and "End of the Road".
Overall, it’s a very valid album, and the songs, though not a concept, are well connected to each other. From a technical standpoint, one couldn't expect better, perfect mixing with perfectly balanced sounds. In short, Eddie doesn't miss on his first try and pays tribute to his magnificent career with a truly interesting album.
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