I’m outside your house
2 am it’s dark
So many mistakes
Come back home from bars
I am on your side
I just want to tell you off
So many lies
Are taking hold
It’s not your fault
There’s many scars
Pete Yorn has come a long way since he entered our lives in 2001. Most singer/songwriters generally only achieve moderate success in the music industry, but Pete is the exception to the rule. In September, Pete released his 6th studio album, Pete Yorn, which was produced by Frank Black of the Pixies. For his incredible career and recent album, we celebrate Pete with the Artist of the Week.
After graduating from Syracuse University, Pete decided to move to the City of Angels and pursue his dream of making music. He got a big break in late 1999 when he met film producer Bradley Thomas. Pete landed the job of recording the score for the Jim Carey/Renee Zellweggar comedy “Me, Myself & Irene.” He got his big break and he quickly capitalized on it: he signed with Capital records shortly thereafter.
Due to the success of the movie and the exposure he got, Pete quickly went into the studio to record his debut album, MUSICFORTHEMORNINGAFTER. The album was a hit within the Indie community. The album has a big sound for a singer/songwriter, but I’m sure his record label had a lot to do with that. Songs like “Nancy” and “On Your Side” showcased Pete’s sensitive side, which is common for these types of artists. The first time I played “On Your Side” I was immediately taken aback by its sound and Pete’s smooth delivery. The song almost sounded like a lost Cure track, which makes it a winner in my book. Pete was on a high from the release, which was well received by the fans and critics too.
With the success of his debut album, Pete released his sophomore album, Day I Forgot. The album was surprisingly good and Pete stood clear of the dreaded sophomore slump. This was a bit odd, especially since he was signed to a major label and they generally have a history of messing things up when it comes to good artists. The single “Come Back Home” reached No. 32 on the Pop Charts. The album has sold over 300,000 units, which is modest, but huge for an act like Pete. The album also featured REM’s Peter Buck playing on most of the tracks of the album.
Pete took some time off before releasing his third album, Nightcrawler in 2006. People started to take note of Pete’s strange album titles and the first three came to be known as “the Trilogy.” The name came from the words “Morning, Day, and Night,” which were used in the album titles. In an Interview with SilentUpRoar.com, Pete said this about the album titles: “I didn’t mean like a Star Wars trilogy where it’s one story at all….So it’s a sort of continuing analysis of those topics, and the Nightcrawler LP would represent a later phase.”
With little to no press, Pete released Back & Forth in 2009. The album wasn’t a hit amongst the critics, receiving mixed reviews. Then something weird happened. Later in 2009, Pete released the album, Break Up which was a collaboration with actress Scarlett Johansson. It is unclear whether the two ever dated, but the album was recorded in 2006 and released in 2009. The album title also seems to further indicate that the two may have dated, especially when you consider that the two have only performed two times together live. The album received mixed reviews from the critics and truth be told, it is not a bad album. Johanssons’ voice isn’t good, but it’s not bad either! Her voice has nothing special about it, which leads one to wonder why Pete would lend his talents to such a mediocre records, further fueling my speculation that the two were an item. Shoot, if I had dated Mrs. Johansson, I’d done the same exact thing!
A few weeks ago, Pete decided to reclaim his good name and release his most recent album, Pete Yorn. The album has received favorable reviews from all critics. Yorn has left Capital Records and released this album through Vagrant Records. The album is definitely a step in the right direction for Pete. In the album he has taken it back to the roots and released an album that reminds me of his first. What stands out with Pete is the way he writes. Lyrically, Pete has always been on top of his game and this album continues that pace.
What’s lies ahead for this talented songwriter? Who knows? But the future still remains bright. Pete has had some missteps along his musical journey, but he has been able to pull it back together and release a credible album and give him back his street cred!
Top 5 Songs
1. On Your Side
2. Lose You
3. Pass Me By
5. Nancy
Useful Links
Acoustic Show on KCRW (2009)
Live Concert @ The World Cafe (Oct 2010)