Pete Yorn/Back & Fourth

I’m a pretty big Pete Yorn fan and was stoked when I was browsing around I-Tunes and saw the pre-order of his new album Back & Fourth a month or so ago.  I didn’t pre-order, but did buy the album the day it came out, June 16^th, burned a copy for the car and uploaded it to my I-Pod.  Sitting here about a week later and 10-12 listens in, I can’t say that I’m as excited as I was before the album actually came out, which is never a good sign.  After the first listen I thought the entire thing was crap, but now, I’ve changed my tune and decided it’s a solid effort.  Not as good as his previous releases, but still a nice listen nonetheless.  The production is great, adding a touch of horns in the background on a number of the tunes and keeps the same crisp Yorn sound fans have come to expect.  It just seems Pete took a turn more towards adult contemporary than rock with this release.  The first single, “Don’t Wanna Cry” may be great for radio, but I prefer the deeper story songs such as “Social Development Dance” and “Last Summer.”  To wrap things up, I guess I was hoping for a “Murray” or “Carlos” song, something with a bite more bite.  And this ain’t it.  Hopefully it grows on me, but for now I’m a bit ambivalent and I’m through wasting your time and mine.  

RIYL:  Josh Rouse, Ryan Adams, cheese puffs

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by Todd Mathis in Reviews