Eddie Vedder - Earthling

[VinylGuy]

The last moments of brother the cloud are so fucking good , intense as fuck, it’s such a Pearl Jam tune I looove it

I hope they play it someday actually

[Jaeti]

Fallout Today might be a sneaky, eventual 5-star song.

[Jaeti]

The last moments of brother the cloud are so fucking good , intense as fuck, it’s such a Pearl Jam tune I looove it

I hope they play it someday actually

Yeah, this is the one I really hope the band ports over to their setlists.

[digster]

Try's definitely the best song here; the elements of that song make it sound absurd on paper, but that works in its favor, making it very endearing. In short, there's some good stuff here; The Haves is definitely the nadir, so crisis averted. I think the better moments are actually when they lean into the poppier elements of what they're going after, while the classic rock cosplay (Invincible, Long Way, Picture, etc) fall flatter. It's an odd contrast with Gigaton, as as this record definitely points back towards the short and straightforward aesthetic in the band's previous few records (an aesthetic I don't think works for them).

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Ms Harmless]

the snare drums are super weird but they're archetypally 80s and new wave-y so it's fine

[Fattie_Vedder]

Gave this a first and second listen start to finish. Lots of catchy tunes. And like most Eddie-based catchy tunes, I expect these to grow on me and I’ll be singing along to them in short order. I am glad Eddie is having fun with this record, and that comes through. The poppy glossy sound works on most tracks, particularly the mid-tempo and classic rock ones, but it hinders a few others, particularly the punk/heavy ones. My favorite moments on this album are the non-hard/punk ones. This album sounds schizophrenic.

The songs that grabbed me instantly on first listen (not including BTC and Long Way because I’d heard them already): Invincible, The Dark, Rose of Jericho, Mrs. Mills, On My Way. Most of the other songs are fine to good. The Haves is the only one I can’t stand.

Invincible: I’ll be listening to this on long drives and sunny days for sure. Lovely.

Power of Right: first listen, I was turned off by the sound of the guitar. The riff is boring. It sounds like a generic rock song from the early 2000s. I like the chorus. Eddie’s signing lifts this one up. On second listen, the sound of the guitar bothers me less, and I really like the chorus and the use of piano. This one is better than Good and Evil.

Good and Evil: first listen: i liked the riff. I can see what folks mean when they say it could fit Vitalogy. I wish it didn’t sound as “clean” as it did. Second listen: I liked it less. it’s fine I guess. Too one note for my taste. That’s why I like power of right more. It had a more dynamic chorus.

Fallout Today: lovely verse that I was instantly humming to. Meh chorus. Nice song.

Try: this song is on crack. What the fuck is happening here. My initial reaction is that I would have liked it to be half the speed and use acoustic guitars, give it a more bluesy feel. Now that I know what it is, I can see this one becoming an ear worm that I’ll enjoy.

Picture: meh.

BTC: still one of the best songs on the album, and the outro is the 2nd best highlight of the album after On My Way.

Long Way: you guys, I really like this song. Despite the repetitive and partly cheesy chorus, the guitar sound, the verse, the solo, are all so lovely.

The Haves: I listened to this again with the thought that it was inspired by an elderly homeless couple, and that actually upset me more. It’s still terribly tone deaf and missed the mark. You think this elderly couple have more than the haves coz they have each other? I’m pretty sure they’d like to have a roof over their head, healthcare, a dignified life. I know what Eddie is trying to say, but if you’re going to point out the beauty of loyal love in spite of hardships, then fucking do it. The lyrics don’t get at that. They are clumsy as hell. It’s still a shit song.

On My Way: the most powerful moment on the album. I wish this were 3 minutes longer. It could go on and not feel repetitive. I’ve said it before, and I’ll reiterate that it’s such a poignant acknowledgement of his own mortality. It’s a message to his daughters, himself, and his late father, wherever he is. It’s both a lesson to pass on to his kids and a sad release and acceptance of the loss that he can’t change. People have noted how it comes full circle. It’s so fucking beautiful. It may be particularly powerful for me as I lost my father two years ago.

Nice job Eddie. Some good stuff here. I’m glad you’re finding an avenue to make the music and having a good time doing it. Now please keep Watt the fuck away from Pearl Jam and the next PJ album better not sound as shiny as this.

[Strat]

Is there a gif I can use for identifying Fallout Today as the standout on my first listen and then watching Strat fall in line like a lamb

It's not the standout

[Fattie_Vedder]

Oh and The Dark is fantastic. Some said it sounds like a Springsteen song; no kidding. You might as well append the title with “Dancing in” and you’d think it was a cover.

[Jaeti]

I dislike the opening of Power of Right the way I dislike the opening of Force of Nature, but after that I buy in.

[Strat]

Try is very.....X......

LA Punk Rock with a Bluesy/Heavy Metal harmonica solo by a legend.

What a wild song. Love it

[guitar_davey]

Try is very.....X......

LA Punk Rock with a Bluesy/Heavy Metal harmonica solo by a legend.

What a wild song. Love it

Good call on X.

[Strat]

The Haves - Oh boy. Okay ive settled on my feelings with this one. Lyrics are absolute shit. However, i guess im a sucker for the melody and its a reasonable good and tender performance by Ed. I would never share this song and be like "hey look at this beautiful love song ed wrote!" but i have found myself humming along to it during album play.

Still not good though.

[tragabigzanda]

pearl jam sucks now

[Jaeti]

The Haves - Oh boy. Okay ive settled on my feelings with this one. Lyrics are absolute shit. However, i guess im a sucker for the melody and its a reasonable good and tender performance by Ed. I would never share this song and be like "hey look at this beautiful love song ed wrote!" but i have found myself humming along to it during album play.

Still not good though.

I’m getting here too

Had it stuck in my head yesterday.

[Ms Harmless]

I'm OK with The Haves capturing a small moment; even people with oppressive systems bearing down on them need to have their "we are better than all of them fuckers, I love you" moments; I just wish it had some anger or sadness to offset the shmaltz, at least that might deepen the story a bit

[liebzz]

I mean you do have to credit him and Eddie.

Really, get yourself a time machine and set it to any 1992 Lollapalooza date. During Porch, tap the shoulder of the guy next to you and say “that man up there…he’s gonna have a solo album 30 years from now with guys from the Chili Peppers, and Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Ringo are gonna play on it. Are you ready for some Echo Victor!” …and see what that guy next to says in response.

[Tj]

Yea, Fallout Today definitely grew on me. Total ear candy.

I think that's the whole album really -- credit to Watt, he did a great job zeroing in on all the sweetest, most satisfying musical elements of these songs while still managing to capture some of that loose "buddies jamming together" vibe that you get from the live shows. Maybe you need to see those live videos or read some of the background of the album to really pick up on that, but still -- I'm honestly blown away by how much I'm enjoying this after how indifferent I was to the singles.

I think maybe having a guy like watt, or at least other musicians around him this time, he was able to create songs that are less "eddie trying to write a pearl jam song" (whoever said, never destination, lightning bolt, whatever) and more of Eddie being able to completely indulge all of his inspirations and influences while still sounding uniquely eddie vedder. They feel more authentic in some ways.

Great insight here Strat.

[Tj]

May Echo Victor is a alter ego head trip game he played with himself. To break free from the confines of his past.

[Jaeti]

May Echo Victor is a alter ego head trip game he played with himself. To break free from the confines of his past.

But actually.