Taking a break from his day job fronting rock heavyweight Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder immerses himself into the big-screen story of a young man who gives all his money to charity and hitchhikes to a new life--and his eventual death--in the wilds of Alaska. Prompted by the film's creator, Sean Penn, to contribute to the musical score, the Seattle musician tackled the entire project, playing every instrument on the soundtrack's nine original and two cover songs. Vedder contemplates the traveler "setting forth in the universe" in the opener "Setting Forth," then tracks in the remaining songs the realizations and disillusionments that follow. A wish comes true in banjo-plucked "No Ceiling" to "up and disappear," while affluence is questioned on the hard-rocking "Far Behind," with Vedder singing, "Empty pockets will/Allow a greater sense of wealth." No song in the album's first half exceeds two-and-a-half minutes, remedied by Vedder's pertinent five-minute stamp on the remake of Indio's "Hard Sun," complete with eerie backing vocals by Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker. The songwriter puts wealth on the hot seat in "Society," questioning, "If less is more/How you keepin' score?" The darkly sung folk song bookends the reticent declaration "Guaranteed," wonderfully delivered and quietly strummed, in which the prodigal Vedder wraps the journey in one line: "Leave it to me as I find a way to be/Consider me a satellite forever orbiting." (The record is packaged like a hardcover book, with vivid photography and lyrics.) --Scott Holter
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
soulful music:
Not too often does one find a whole collection of songs that hold together as well as these do. Eddie Vedder's strong, resonant voice adds a grounding counterpoint to the lightness of the jangly guitar. I especialy loved Rise Up and Guaranteed, but so many are wonderful.
Very Good Soundtrack:
I am usually not a huge fan of soundtrack albums, but while watching "Into The Wild" I was captivated by the performance of Eddie Vedder. In fact I found it one of the best parts of the movie. On this record he harkens back to acoustic Pearl Jam style songs, so Pearl Jam fans will like this. The songs are well written and his vocals are emotional and captivating. Highly recommened as a soundtrack record as a addition to Pearl Jam fans collections.
Takes you to another place...:
Great music, fit the movie perfect and best of all it stands alone....One bad thing to say: The songs are too short!
If you are going on a road trip, this CD is perfect! Also it is a great stress reliever! Eddie's voice has so much emotion and the lylics are pure poetry!
Better with age....:
This album is a just a slight step away from Pearl Jam, but well worth the short trip. Eddie brings all passion and storytelling of Pearl Jam, but this time he has clearly pushed his music in the direction he wants it to go. In my opinion this some of his best work as a vocalist, relying on an acoustic sound and feel to deliver a very good sit and listen session.
Simply a must have album.
