Eddie Vedder's "Into the Wild"

What took Sean Penn and Eddie Vedder — two surly, ranting iconoclasts — so long to collaborate? Penn asked the Pearl Jam singer to score his adaptation of author Jon Krakauer’s best-selling true story. You know the drama right? A young man ditches a life of affluence for a tragic existence in the Alaskan wilderness. Total exit the rainmaker job.

I've never been the biggest Pearl Jam fan -- I have five PJ songs on my iPod, including a great cover of Dylan's Masters of War. But this album is 33 minutes of jarring music. Playing almost all of the instruments, and writing all but two of the 11 songs, Vedder delves into the mind of someone rebelling against society and trying to find peace in an unforgiving land. The kid could also be completely bonkers, so Vedder has to factor that in, as well.

This is heavy-duty stuff, as the percussively intricate songs range from prickly ruminations to jarring, giant rockers. It's moving, but also rather disturbing. In related news, St. Pete Times film critic Steve Persall — yet another surly, ranting iconoclast — says Into the Wild could be movie of the year.

Comments

[Chris M]

I saw the trailer for this movie just last week. It looked really good. I didn't know Eddie Vedder was involved though. I'll have to put it on my "must see" list.

[John Hays]

All the kid needs are some tasty waves and a cool buzz and he'll be fine!

[Boe]

I read the book when it first came out and it turns out I was fishing and camping in that very part of Alaska about 6 months before he went into the woods there. The book is amazing and while I am not a huge Pearl Jam fan I think Eddie Vedder is probably the perfect guy to make the music.

[Steve Persall]

I AM NOT SURLY!