Pete Yorn

South Jersey singer/songwriter Pete Yorn wears his heart on his sleeve like Whiskeytown's Ryan Adams, delivers seductive vocalics similar to Jakob Dylan, and plays into passion and emotion like Jeff Buckley. The year 2001 belonged to Yorn, and his critical praise was not unwarranted. Musicforthemorningafter, his debut for Columbia, marks a stunning beginning. It's a raw selection of heartland and American trad rock, yet Yorn's love for Brit-pop is also quite evident. Songs such as "Sense" and "Simonize" resemble threads of the Smiths, and are delicate with breezy acoustics woven inside of Yorn's hushed vocals. Rhythmically, Yorn is a perfectionist -- he plays nearly every instrument on the album and nothing is left unopened or lost. "Strange Condition" illustrates a sentimentality that is quite endearing. He isn't concerned with an image, regardless of the press making him out to be the hip poster boy. He only yearns to write the perfect pop song. Not totally playing into the lush side of things, he does rollick his way through a hearty selection of songs. Debut single "Life on a Chain" is twangy with an honest impression; down-home acoustic riffs are brawny and a definitive song craft is cast. The fierce melodies found on "For Nancy ('Cos It Already Is)" and "Murray" support Yorn's dear heart with a cord of mystery. Musicforthemorningafter arrived when modern rock was looking for an outlet to escape alternative metal popularity. Yorn isn't afraid of becoming pop, for it's with a rugged edge and that's quite all right. [This album was reissued in spring 2002 with an added bonus disc of five songs and four music videos. Yorn's live performances of 2001 were popular with his renditions of Bruce Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" and "Panic" by the Smiths. Studio-recorded versions of these particular songs are tight and brilliant, perfect for any fan of Pete Yorn and those who made them famous the first time. Yorn's jaunty country-rock revamp of David Bowie's "China Girl is equally charming, but the aching ballad of Springsteen's "New York City Serenade" showcases Yorn's own love for his Jersey roots. Fans, grab this record -- again!] ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide