Pete Yorn, Aqualung
Wiltern LG
Los Angeles
February 16th

Pete Yorn may stew in brooding moods, but there’s always hope, and that’s what makes him a grand romantic who can rock things up too.

His recent show at the Wiltern LG in Los Angeles was typical of his current tour with an ever-changing setlist nightly, filled with various cover tunes that show both his influences and gift for interpretation.

The sometimes-reflective songs from his current Columbia album, “Nightcrawler”, were contrasted by mid-tempo and faster rocking older numbers from “Musicforthemorningafter” and “Day I Forgot”, such as “Life on a Chain” and “Just Another”. The questioning “Policies” was followed by a smart cover of Warren Zevon’s “Splendid Isolation” for some political or emotional examination, depending on one’s bent, while the ache of “Pass Me By” was matched by the ever-tuneful “Strange Condition”.

Yorn’s arrangements split the difference between eloquent indie rock and American alt-country, with ringing reverberation meeting touches of twang. Though he’s not a belter, his voice and range have grown from reigned-in pondering to more expressive tones, both on record and on stage.

A brace of encores included his own chill-thaw of “Ice Age” and impressionistic “Crystal Village” set against renditions of The Rolling Stones’ “Dead Flowers” and The Smiths’ “There is a Light That Never Goes Out”. Missing in action was his hook-rich and powerful “Long Way Down”, but that’s the way the set list shuffles. And while he’s still not a showman-type like his heroes Bruce and Bowie, Yorn is clearly a gifted, still-evolving artist with much to offer.

Second billed Columbia Aqualung–which is either Matt Hales or his whole band–played a set that included songs from his new atmospheric release, “Memory Man”, which is a bit less singer-songwriter adult pop-rock than 2004’s “Brighter Than Sunshine”. Though Hales’ songs are thoughtful and far from pop-mill fodder, despite friendly window-dressing, he lacked punch live.

Also performing was singer Charlotte Martin.

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