Indie rocker Yorn emerges through talent and honesty
By MAUREEN SMITHE
Scene Music Critic
When 26 year-old Pete Yorn sang at a school talent school, his friends urged him to put down the microphone. Thankfully, he chose not to heed the advice of his friends and moved to California after college to start a band.
The result is something like a fairy tale — for both Yorn and his listeners. This New Jersey native has the potential to become a big city rocker with Musicforthemorningafter, his first major label release.
The product of many hours spent recording in his garage, the album gently flaunts Yorn's introverted style and lyrical creativity. With hints of Eddie Vedder and Jeff Buckley in his voice, it is no wonder that "Rolling Stone" hails him as one of the Next Big Things for 2001.
Opening with the crackle of a needle on vinyl, Yorn establishes a vintage legitimacy that continues throughout the album. "Life on a Chain" — the song he acoustically sang alone to seal the deal with Columbia — is the first of many love-inspired songs. "I was alone/ You were just around the corner from me." It is the kind of song you want to listen to in a convertible with the top down and the volume up.
Yorn's ballad writing reaches it's height with "Lose You." "I don't need a better thing/ I'll settle for less/ It's another thing for me/ I just have to wander this world alone." The mournful love song mood of "Lose You" paired with the quirkiness of "For Nancy" confirms Yorn's diverse musical breadth.
Yorn takes on a rebel attitude with "Murry," playing with foot-tapping drums and a heavier guitar tune. "He won't follow/ His lines are drawn for him/ And he don't want to try." This is one of the more rock-infused songs on the album.
The most lyrically and acoustically beautiful song on the album, "EZ," proves Yorn's impressive vocal range. "It was easy when you were younger/ You can put it back together/ It was there if you ever wanted it/ But you closed the door and said goodbye for good."
The hushed tone in his somber acoustics, including "EZ" and "Simonize," takes the listener on a tour of Yorn's mind, giving his songs meaning beyond the lyrics.
Yorn's Indie good looks and impressive musical talent are enough make any girl fall instantly in love with him. But to make sure he has every female listener drooling, he includes the secret track "A Girl Like You," a love song so simple and honest it will draw tears. "Someday I'll look into her green eyes and know that she'll come with me/ A girl like you/ Too many things I do not care for/ But one thing that I adore/ Is a girl like you." Yorn has star appeal in more ways than one.
Having contributed to both movie and television soundtracks, Yorn's dabbling in the Hollywood circuit lends legitimacy to his resume. He composed and recorded the score for "Me, Myself and Irene," including the song "Strange Condition" which appears on that soundtrack and on Musicforthemorningafter. The song "Just Another" can also be found on Songs From Dawson's Creek Volume 2.
It is hard not to like Pete Yorn. His guy-next-door attitude and honest willingness to speak his truth present a unique appeal. Listen to this bit of advice and follow it: buy this CD.
All Scene Stories for Tuesday, March 27, 2001
