In the September issue of Rolling Stone magazine, the ever-so-opinionated Mr. Brandon Flowers (The Killers) said actors have no business singing and singers have no business acting. Scarlett Johansson and Pete Yorn's latest album, Break Up, begs to differ.
Flowers' statement might have been warranted after the release of Johansson's debut album in 2008, Anywhere I Lay My Head. Featuring Tom Waits covers, the album left listeners wondering if Johansson had any vocal ability at all. Her voice sounds distorted and heavily manufactured, leaving a poor mark on her first piece of work. It didn't help that she also attempted to cover Jeff Buckley -- no one should try to cover Buckley unless they know what they're doing.
Break Up, recorded two years prior to Anywhere I Lay My Head, is a much better display of Johansson's sultry vocals. The pop-folk infused tracks are better matched to her songstress style of singing. The chemistry between her and Yorn is distant, but remains reflective of the theme of the record.
This album, which was Yorn's idea, is a charming concept album made to match the romantic styling of Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot. The album's nine tracks carry listeners through the honest struggle of the heartache and delusion that comes with relationships.
Break Up's standout single, "Relator," is an upbeat conversational battle between Yorn and Johansson. Through a fun instrumental backdrop, Yorn sings, "You don't relate to me, no girl, you don't respect me, no girl," as Johansson responds, "You can leave whenever you want out."
Bring on the banjo. The album's jacket displays a photo of a banjo, an instrument that permeates many of the tracks on the album.
In "Wear and Tear," the banjo adds to the melody of the track and in the album's finale, "Someday," the instrument provides a gentle touch to the soft ending.
Each song is a different lyrical and instrumental journey with catchy hooks, soulful solos and well-crafted harmonies.
Despite the serious undertones of the album, it's a fun undertaking of the ears.
Songs like "I Don't Know What To Do," display the confusion of relationships as Yorn shines in the chorus in a buildup of harmonies with, "But when you're with me darling I don't believe in anyone else." Johansson then breaks in as they share the lyric, "I'm so confused by you. I don't know what to do."
Cleverly added to the mix is a decent cover of Chris Bell's "I Am The Cosmos," the only track on the album Yorn didn't write.
It's clear Yorn is the soul behind Break Up. On songs like "Wear and Tear," where Johansson has a small voice, her presence is hardly missed. Not to say the vocal pairing isn't sweet to the ears -- in songs like "Clean," the parlay of words and harmonies couldn't have been so smooth without Johansson taking vocal reins.
Yorn was the set of training wheels Johansson needed, as she adds a wonderful spark to each song and has finally proven she can play with the best of them.
Second only to the musician/actress pairing of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, Yorn and Johansson show that it's okay to switch teams sometimes.
This star-crossed struggle is a simple pleasure, with tracks that are appropriate for almost any occasion. Let's just hope this "break up" isn't permanent.
Grade: B+
Download: "Clean," "Relator," "Don't Know What to Do"
