ALBUMS OF THE WEEK

Eddie Vedder Earthling

Seattle Surf/Republic Records, out now ★★★★★

Eleven years after releasing Ukulele Songs, which also featured Glen Hansard, the Pearl Jam frontman returns with another solo album. Hansard is back in the fold but there are no ukuleles in earshot. More bases are covered here than on one with a fourstringed instrument as primary accompaniment and there are guests aplenty. Vedder duets with

Elton John on country rocker Picture. Ringo Starr provides drums on that and on the distinctly Beatlesish Mrs Mills.

Power Of Right; Good And Evil and to a lesser extent Rose Of Jericho are the closest he comes to some Pearl Jam-style grunge while there is a frenetic punk energy to Try. The harmonica on that track comes courtesy of Stevie Wonder. Earthlings is the name of the band he has formed with Hansard to tour this very likeable album. Expect an Irish arena date in the summer.