Monkeywrench

Presenting Eddie Vedder alone with only his voice and ukulele, Ukulele Songs is essentially a love letter to the much-maligned instrument. The intimate production of these sessions helps the album come off as a series of relaxed, creative flashes that mix originals and covers. Vedder finds inspiration from Hawaii and pre-World War II numbers, and his duet with Chan Marshall on “Tonight You Belong to Me” even sounds like a lost moment from the 1930s. He offers a nod to Pete Townshend with “Pinball Wizard” -like strumming on “You’re True,” brings his patented intensity on Pearl Jam’s own “Can’t Keep” and offers a dose of sweetness on “Without You.” Later, Glenn Hansard adds heavenly vocals to the Everly Brothers’ aching “Sleepless Nights,” while “Dream a Little Dream of Me” provides a heartfelt and fitting conclusion to Ukulele Songs.