Into the Wild

This is a bit of a review, mostly of the album, but having read the book and seen the movie, I suppose that informs my thoughts. This isn't a "proper" review, just some thoughts.

I generally am not a great reviewer because I don't pay much attention to the poetry, but rather to the poetry of the music itself. I feel like this is Eddie Vedder, just for ME. It reminds me of all that was good about guitars at Campus by the Sea, but better. If I were to listen to the lyrics too closely, I would get pretty pissed off, I'm sure, but the music itself is this wonderful, soulful sigh. I have this odd notion that many musicians, while trying to piss off God manage to create worship in spite of themselves. Not sure I can describe it any better than that exactly.

Best songs are Rise -- gorgeous use of the ukelele, fantastic chords, very subtle and simple melody. Intricate and simple at the same time. It was one of the only things that made me actually want to walk into the Alaskan wild.

Hard Sun -- again, really great strumming with this intoxicatingly simple percussion. I don't know what it is, but it just sounds like someone is banging something on a hollow stage or something. It's this strong bang on the 3rd beat that just sort of connects with your pulse.

I think in the end, while I disagree with Eddie Vedder's conclusions, I think there is something about this album that expresses the wandering soul man is prone to. It seems to ask the questions that we all ask from one angle or another. I think God honors the search if you are really looking. And even Alexander Supertramp asked God to bless those he left behind when he left the world--maybe even he knew who his maker was when it was time to settle up.