If I were handed pen and paper, and given ten minutes to create my Top Ten Desert Island CD List, I doubt that Pete Yorn’s 2009 effort with Scarlett Johansson would even come to mind. Why is it then, that when I go to my collection to grab a handful of discs to load onto my phone for a trip, that album often makes the cut? Probably because I’m still coming to grips with the fact that Break Up may be Yorn’s best album.
It’s a hard thing for me to admit, given how smitten I became with his infectious pop/rock first release, musicforthemorningafter, and how impressed I am with his most recent, somewhat brooding, Pete Yorn, produced by Frank Black (The Pixies). The distance between the lightness of the former and the pensiveness of the latter is a fairly flat sine wave; nonetheless, the songs on Break Up strike a nice balance between the two moods.
The balance is achieved with a woman’s voice contrasting Pete’s raspy vocal style, and Johansson really has a nice voice. It is used sparingly, to great effect, making the pair sound simply romantic instead of trying to be a blockbuster duet. There is not an obvious hit on the disc, which for me adds to the appeal of this being a serious effort. It’s great for listening, or as dinner background music, and particularly appropriate for breaking up with someone.
I recommend this release for both the seasoned Pete Yorn fan, and for those unfamiliar but willing to give a listen to his songwriting craftsmanship.
berowne.com 