Customer Reviews

Back and Fourth

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Pete Yorn begins a new chapter in his musical journey with the release of his fourth album, "Back and Fourth." After completing the musical trilogy of "musicforthemorningafter," "Day I Forgot," and "Nightcrawler," Yorn teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin to create the ten songs that are available on his latest release. The album plays out as such.

1. Don't Wanna Cry- 9/10
The first single off the album, this is probably the most pop-friendly of all the tracks on "Back and Fourth." This midtempo number is a mixture of "Crystal Village" meets "The Man," and is sure to be a favorite among PY fans.

2. Paradise Cove- 8/10
This song follows an almost hypnotic beat. Throw in some haunting background vocals and the result is a toe-tapping jam session.

3. Close- 6/10
Slower number that lacks the punch of other classic PY ballads.

4. Social Development Dance- 9/10
Another midtempo number that is sure to please fans. Beautifully arranged chorus, and classic PY dialect and phrasing throughout the verses. This song will definitely grow on you.

5. Shotgun- 7/10
One of the few songs on the album with what can be classified as a guitar solo, this song toes the line between midtempo and alternative rock. The result is a so-so tune.

6. Last Summer- 7/10
One of the few uptempo numbers on the album, this song builds up to a solid chorus with a catchy beat.

7. Thinking of You- 9/10
A stripped down emotional ballad that builds up to a soaring climax, Pete is at his best on this tune.

8. Country- 8/10
Another pleasant midtempo number that Pete shines on. For the fans out there, pay attention to the last few lines of the song, as Pete revisits lyrics from the fan favorite "Just Another Girl" off his debut album.

9. Four Years- 9/10
Solid verses lead up to a beautiful chorus, chalk full of string arrangements and perfectly done backing vocals. This song reminds me very much so of "The Man."

10. Long Time Nothing New- 9/10
A fitting closer for the album. The combination of emotionally driven lyrics and Pete's touching delivery of them make this one of the best on the album.

The only complaint to be made is that there are only ten songs on the album, but this reviewer prefers to put the blame on Scarlett Johansson, who recruited Pete's help on a duets album that is due out later in the summer of 2009. Pete Yorn may never reach the mainstream success of fellow singer/songwriters like John Mayer and Gavin DeGraw, but it is songs like those found on "Back and Fourth" that will be sure to satisfy the strong fan base he has already built for himself.

I can't believe that some people are giving this album 5 stars. I guess art (music) is a pretty subjective thing.
I've really enjoyed Pete Yorn since his debut album, but I've found each album to be weaker than the last. Every song, and I mean EVERY SONG on this album is a slow, sombre tune with no identifiable hint of some of the more rock/folk-based tunes that I enjoyed in his previous works.
I totally agree with one of the previous reviewers that every song sounds like it could be featured in an episode of Dawson's Creek. I bought this album with high hopes, but unless it really grows on me, I don't see listening to it more than a few times. Here's hoping that whatever Pete Yorn does in the future, he gets back to his roots a bit more.

first off i like to state that im not elaborate on reviews. all i can say about Pete Yorn's 'Back and Fourth' is that its just like all 3 of his previous albums. i put the cd in my cd/ipod player and with each listen a different song becomes my favorite, it literally changes from week to week...just another great release by THE BEST known and unknown talent in the music industry.


also, for all those trying to compare it to MusicForTheMorningAfter...DONT...b/c nothing compares to that masterpiece but it does not mean 'Back and Fourth' is not great.

Back and Fouth is a very sincere and artful album that keeps growing on you with each listen.It's really hard to pick favorites on this one because I just love all 10 tracks. But I find myself putting Paradise Cove and Social Develpment Dance on repeat! Great for long summer drives, a walk in the park or just relaxing on the beach. I can't get enough of this album. You won't be disappointed!

I was a big fan of Yorn's first 2 CD's, but then he moved from Tastytown to Blandville and has put out 2 highly forgetable albums (this one included) that won't even make it as Elevator Music. What a waste of talent.

Concept albums are always a tricky situation, but Pete Yorn started off his career with a concept trilogy dealing with the times of the day: Musicforthemorningafter, The Day I Forgot, and Nightcrawler. The first two albums had their great moments signaling Yorn as the next great singer-songwriter from the Garden State making a niche as either a folksier version Bruce Springsteen's E-Street Band era of a more rocking version of his Nebraska style of music.

But by the time he got around to finishing his trilogy, Yorn sounded like he was just spinning the tires with songs that sounded like his previous work but less adventurous. With the trilogy out of the way, there were high hopes for his fourth full length album Back & Fourth. Unfortunately is follows in the trend of Nightcrawler, a step backwards.

There are a few bright spots on the album like the depressing (in an entertaining, more melodic Ryan Adams kind of way) Social Development Dance where Yorn hears about the passing only to get no results when Google her name in quotations. Last Summer perfects Yorn's ability to write hard driving emotion songs. But in the end, if you already have the first two Pete Yorn albums, there isn't much need to pick up Back & Fourth.

I've been listening to Pete Yorn's music since 2002 and strongly feel that Back and Fourth is his best work yet. This album was a big departure for Yorn on various levels - In the past, he would ordinarily start writing songs by focusing on the music first, but this time around, he wrote the words first and let the lyrics drive the music. Also the lyrics on B&F are much more expressive and accessible than the lyrics on previous releases, which were much more cryptic. In the past, Pete would record most of the instrument parts by himself. This time, he went into the studio with a wonderful group of musicians, which gave the album a much richer and more sophisticated sound. Under the direction of producer Mike Mogis, Pete Yorn's delivered one of the most gorgeous albums I've ever heard - Back and Fourth is a knock out from beginning to end. This is an album that should be on the top of every chart, nominated for a Grammy, and the key that opens the door to make Pete Yorn a household name.

Pete, I've been a huge fan. I'm still squeezing the juice outta MusicForTheMorningAfter (one of the best albums of the last 10 years), and can't get enough of Long Way Down and other great tracks on Day I Forgot. You crafted complex, layered pop that got more satisfying with every listen.

I bought this album based on the reputation you built with me, and I'm sorry to say, it's a major let down. I tried to let it grow on me, but it's flabby, one-dimensional and doesn't seem to have any passion. Dude, time to go on a vision quest or something!

Back and Fourth is one of the most beautifully produced and crafted albums I've heard in a long time! Gorgeous melodies and brilliant personal lyrics that only a matured music lover will totally understand and relate to. I will tell you about my three favorite tracks: In Don't Wanna Cry he sings of his grief over the loss of a romance.The melody and lyrics are beautiful and haunting with triumphant horns at the end. Paradise Cove is a breezy,summery song that talks about people never having enough. A great bossa nova beat throughout this track. And check out Social Development Dance. This tells a great story about a friend going through some heavy stuff. Listen carefully to the lyrics. This track will grow on you and you will want to hear more to the story!
So Pete Yorn is back and stands out as one of the most talented singer/songwriters of his generation! This album is sure to satisfy!! Well done, Pete!

While accepting his debut as great,and the next two as short of the mark, this one is really a challenge to compliment or admire.Im not sure who the market is on this one as its a really boring cd with limited melody of beats.Im not a hardcore fan but own all of his full-lengthers,but this one is just blah and to see it executive produced by Rick Rubin is flat-out bizarre---and I wasnt expecting beastie boys or metallica---its just a really subdued sound....and while "day i forgot" and "nightcrawler" arent up to the level of "music..." this one is a downer almost completely