Eddie Vedder- 'Goodbye'
'Ukulele Songs' is one of my favourite albums at the moment. Eddie Vedder is a rich, warm vocalist, and I've been a fan of his ever since I heard 'Ten' by Pearl Jam when I was first getting in to the whole Seattle grunge scene maybe 8 or 9 years ago. His voice is just so versatile; he can do raw and powerful, sweeping and soulful, as well as the taut and delicate tones that accompany his ukulele here.
On my first listen through of the album I wasn't entirely taken by the concept. After listening to Vedder singing with a full back-up of guitars and drums for so many years the sinuous, surprisingly haunting sound of the lone uke running beside the stripped back vocals came at odds with my expectations, and I thought that it could have done with more variety in feel and theme. It is an album that takes some dedication to prize out its subtleties, but it is worth the time. The song writing is deceptively deep and the sentiments are endearing.
I think 'Goodbye' would make a great break-up song. It is the sound of a clean, pure sadness expressed with real honesty. There's no schmaltz or melodrama to dull the melancholy in Vedder's lyrics, and it is all the more poignant because of it. I realise how emo that sounds, but give it a listen and I think you'll hear what I mean. I'm sure next week's will be a happier track!
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