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"Symbol of a free spirit as much as a committed artist, "Earthling" is a perfect kaleidoscope of influences of an Eddie Vedder who exposes here all the facets of his identity."
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4/5
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Apart from the original "Ukulele Songs", Eddie Vedder had until now dedicated his solo career to soundtracks. The last one, "Flag Day", dates from last year only and it is quite surprising to see the Pearl Jam frontman offering this "Earthling" so quickly. For this new opus, he entrusted the production to Andrew Watt that we don't introduce anymore (Ozzy Osbourne, Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, etc.) who is also part of the band The Earthlings accompanying Eddie on stage. This formation is also present on this album and includes two Red Hot Chili Peppers members, Chad Smith, and an ex, Josh Klinghoffer.
Even if the trademark of the singer-guitarist remains recognizable between thousand, he nevertheless decided to open his horizon for this new album by not setting any limits. The best example is the improbable duet with Elton John on 'Picture'. The British legend's touch is obvious, yet Eddie Vedder fits perfectly into this positive pop with a catchy chorus. Other big names appear on tracks that are also off the classical framework: Stevie Wonder gives a stunning harmonica performance on an epileptic 'Try', while Ringo Starr (The Beatles) provides the rhythmic foundations of a typically English 'Mrs. Mills' with its brass and string sections as a tribute to the British pianist Gladys Mills.
Besides these few surprises, the pillars of Eddie Vedder's artistic identity are present. On the one hand, there is the US folk-rock evoking the great outdoors that made the reputation of "Into The Wild", his first solo work for the film of the same name. 'Invincible' opens the festivities in the best way with optimism and enthusiasm, an ode to freedom and the power of love. To note the homage to Tom Petty that is 'Long Way' and on which Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers) assures the keyboards, as well as the delicate ballad 'The Haves' with a penetrating emotion.
On the other hand, there are the angry jabs worthy of Pearl Jam ('Power Of Right', 'Brother The Cloud', 'Good And Evil', 'Rose Of Jericho') which remind us that Eddie Vedder is a committed artist just like one of his idols, Bruce Springsteen, to whom he pays a barely disguised tribute on 'The Dark'.
Symbol of a free spirit, "Earthling" is a perfect kaleidoscope of Eddie Vedder's influences who exposes here all the facets of his identity. The inimitable voice of its author serves as a link to a whole whose variety does not harm the coherence. Here is an album which can as well allow to wait for the next Pearl Jam as to make travel through the great North American spaces. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Invincible - 4:47 02. Power Of Right - 3:34 03. Long Way - 4:45 04. Brother The Cloud - 4:22 05. Fallout Today - 3:21 06. The Dark - 3:56 07. The Haves - 5:08 08. Good And Evil - 2:41 09. Rose Of Jericho - 2:25 10. Try - 2:51 11. Picture (feat. Elton John) - 4:00 12. Mrs. Mills - 4:04 13. On My Way - 2:08
LINEUP:
Andrew Watt: Guitares / Basse / Claviers / Batterie Chad Smith: Batterie Eddie Vedder: Chant / Guitares / Claviers / Batterie / Ukulélé Josh Klinghoffer: Guitares / Basse / Claviers / Batterie Abe Laboriel Jr.: Batterie / Invité Alyssa Park: Invité / Violon Benmont Tench: Claviers / Invité Danny Long: Claviers / Invité Dylan Hart: Invité / Cor Edward Severson Jr.: Chant / Invité Elton John: Chant / Claviers / Invité Jacob Braun: Invité / Violoncelle Josefina Vergara: Invité / Violon Joshua Ranz: Invité / Clarinette Paula Hochhalter: Invité / Violoncelle Ringo Starr: Batterie / Invité Sara Parkins: Invité / Violon Steve Kujala: Invité / Flûte Stevie Wonder: Invité / Harmonica Tammy Hatwan: Invité / Violon Thomas Hooten: Invité / Trompette
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(2) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (4 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH EDDIE VEDDER
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"Osmium out now !" |
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OTHER REVIEWS
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