Yorn Isn't Taking Enough of a Risk

Pete Yorn is eager to show the world his chops on his debut album, with the heady title of Music for the Morning After. The record opens in a spookily lo-fi manner, with the sound of static and a lone guitar strumming. This intimate atmosphere quickly moves into the immediacy of "Life On a Chain," a fast-walking pop song with pretty background piano melodies. On "Black," every listener can relate all too well when Yorn laments, "Your kiss/ oh, they were the ones."

However, while Yorn is unarguably a talented songwriter whose songs are meticulously crafted and thoughtfully arranged, Music for the Morning After seems to be less about making a new album and more about showing us his record collection.

With a voice occasionally reminiscent of Eddie Vedder and arrangements that nod to the Smashing Pumpkins, it's often hard to see where Yorn stands on his own. On "Just Another," Yorn opens with whispering vocals mirroring Neil Young's fragile wail, and a pokey guitar line that could have come straight from Harvest. On "Black," he seems to be taking a turn towards Blur and British pop. We can see who he draws inspiration from, but where is Yorn himself?

Yorn's fragile, beautiful songs would perhaps stand better on their own. The inclusion of backing musicians and their own personal embellishments do not seem to understand nor lend themselves well to the real vision behind Yorn's songs. Stripping down the excess musical and technological flourishes would make visible the honesty and delicacy in his music.

And the honesty is definitely there - it's just hidden. "Lose You" sounds a bit like a cross between Adore-era Smashing Pumpkins and U2. But when everything drops out and Yorn sings, "I'm gonna lose you" again and again over deep, resonating piano chords, the effect is chilling. With just a voice and a piano, the true potential of the powerful simplicity of Yorn as a singer-songwriter is glimpsed for all too short of a time.

Ultimately, Music for the Morning After is like an unremarkable politician who can't take a stand on a risky issue. Somewhere, there is a direction Yorn secretly wants to take - it could be anywhere from pure, lo-fi folk to full-fledged pop. Until Yorn stretches his wings and takes a few risks, we'll never know which.