When embarking on a road trip there are many obstacles for my husband and I. The five kids in the back whining and fighting. What temperature to set the heat at (high for me, low for him). Whose directions to follow, Mapquest or my husband's "never wrong" internal sense of direction. One thing we can agree on, however, is music. Typically, he listens to classic rock, where as I listen to anything but. What could we possibly listen to that we would both enjoy? Eddie Vedder's unique sound on the Into the Wild Soundtrack. Eddie Vedder is the definition of classic rock, being a member of Pearl Jam, but his songs here are beautiful and rare. So next time you find yourself battling over the radio dial, why not give Eddie Vedder's Into the Wild a try?
The chiming, acoustic sound of "Hard Sun," the leadoff single from this collection of solo Eddie Vedder material, might lead fans to wonder where the roaring guitars and energy of Pearl Jam have gone. Yet the large-scale anthemic quality of the song, its forceful three-chord progression, and Vedder's familiar gruff and soaring vocals reveal that the singer hasn't strayed far from home. Into the Wild, a soundtrack to the Sean Penn film of the same name, features 11 original tunes from Vedder that largely fit the mold of "Hard Sun." The songs are acoustic, wistful, earnest and open-hearted, yet boast arrangements and a production style that favor a grand sonic sweep over intimacy. Pearl Jam fans will find this release a surprising but satisfying change of pace. ~ Anthony Tognazzini, Rovi