ok....so theres this new "what to do next" formula out there for indie rockers...
step 1.) go get your acoustic guitar
step 2.) start writing up-tempo folky songs about love gone wrong
step 3.) grab a high profile and famous actress to sing with you
step 4.) pretend you're singing for a different generation
mix all of this together with a plaid shirt and it somehow equasl a fairly decent album.
Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson released their album "The Break Up" on September 8th. It has already split the critics. (like any good album should) Some reviewers are praising the album, while others seem dissapointed.
But i have nothing bad to say about this album. this is the music i crave. truthful, unperfection - at it's finest. while it may not be the best display of musical "genius"....its enjoyable to listen to with meaningful lyrics that get you thinking. it sounds like the music you would sit around and listen to your friends play in your bedroom on cool fall day. the catchy beats bring a nostalgic feeling that is hard to surpress. i give scarlette johasson a high five for her effort on this project. she is not a professional singer and while it shows....it is also very clear that she has real talent, raw talent and that is sometimes the hardest thing to come by these days in the music industry.
This duo's release seems to be a follow up to widely succesful and critically aclaimed, M. Ward and Zooey Deschannel release last year. Their album Volume 1 was release under the band name of She & Him. The main difference here is that Zooey Deschannel has one of the most haungtingly beautiful voices of our generation and M.Ward is not lacking in talent either. They are well practiced and well trained - which means they have the ability to focus less on getting the songs right and focus more on putting all their emotions behind their performances.
Pete and Scarlett may be catching a lot of backlash for seeming less original, but to me this should not be the point. if a formula works, why not use....These are 2 albums i can't get enough of. I say this formula is working.
Pete Yorn & Scarlette Johansson - The Break Up 4/5
She & Him - Volume 1 4.5/5
the video for "the relator" is fabulous. it helps to have a beautiful actress to play your love interest.
