2003 sophomore release for Columbia finds Pete Yorn once again his own musical architect, writing all of the songs, playing many of the instruments & co-producing with R. Walt Vincent & Scott Litt. Features 19 tracks including 3 bonus tracks, 'Drive Away', '17' & 'Suspicious Minds' (Elvis cover), plus enhanced material featuring 2 tracks, 'Come Back Home' (Video) & 'Making of The Day I Forgot' (Video Footage).There's nothing particularly wrong with Pete Yorn's second album. It's just that the effortless power-pop of Day I Forgot is pleasant enough but rarely distinctive or deep enough to demand close, repeated listens. Although it was reportedly recorded in a garage and Yorn's multi-instrumental prowess is often supplemented here by a (fuller) band, the sonic results tend toward airbrushed studio perfection. Somewhere along the line Yorn has picked up an occasional Eddie Vedder vocal affectation. However, since Pearl Jam no longer deigns to write hits, somebody ought to show up on the radio with that voice, and "Come Back Home" could turn just such a trick. The best track here is "Crystal Village," one of those creamy pop confections easy to imagine as a teen TV show theme or prom-night favorite. Worst moment is a tie between a misguided bluesy stomp, "Carlos," and "Burrito," on which Yorn applies Vedder's voice to the tale of a 7-Eleven romance started over a shared micro waved treat. It's just a suggestion, but you may want to take yours to go. --Keith Moerer
