Pete Yorn
Pete Yorn - Vagrant
FILTER Grade: 81%

For some musicians, the flu could be considered vocal Kryptonite. Not for Pete Yorn. The singer-songwriter’s self-titled album was recorded while Yorn battled influenza, proving that even a nasty virus can’t put the kibosh on an artist’s soulful craft. Produced by Frank Black, the record is a raw, organic collection of anthemic songs devoid of any studio sheen, exposing the subtle imperfections of Yorn’s rugged voice. In fact, the harshness of vocal tone is what makes the album so beautifully honest. Don’t let the record’s unrefined demeanor fool you—Yorn isn’t tucked away in a corner feeling sorry for himself like on his previous work. Quite the contrary. Yorn has emotionally matured and adopted a rock and roll doppelganger in the process. Head bopping, toe tapping tunes, like “Precious Stone,” find Yorn accepting and perhaps even embracing love gone awry, confirming that he can not only conquer the flu but a broken heart as well.