NPR has posted up Eddie Vedder's latest solo venture, "Ukelele Songs" and like his other albums, I think the songs are nice seeds of songs but I'd much rather hear what the full band might have done. For instance, tracks like "Can't Keep" and "Without You" seem like they are melodies that Stone Gossard could have helped expand and turn into fuller songs. Also, I always have preferred Vedder's belting it out to his warbling, softer approach. Maybe his voice can't take it anymore but I'd like to think he could at least bring it out during a few recording sessions so we could have singles that are throwbacks to early PJ albums, even if he wouldn't be able to duplicate it in concert.
I haven't listened to the entire album but from what I've heard, it's probably something I won't bother buying. It's not bad but it's just not something that I think I'll ever find myself thinking, "You know what, I really want to listen to Ukelele Songs right now." It strikes me as the kind of album that you buy, listen to twice, and then forget you even own.