Peter Moren
The Last Tycoon
Watching one member of a good band go solo is a lot like tuning in to a spinoff of your favorite sitcom. Every so often the stars align and you get a double dose of awesome-but most often the result is a crappy ripoff of the original. So a thumbs-up are definitely in order for Peter Moren’s (of Bjorn and John fame) The Last Tycoon. Fans of PB&J’s quirky harmonies, bouncy arrangements, and achingly truthful lyrics will appreciate tracks like “Tell Me in Time” and “Social Competence,” but Moren’s true triumphs lie in the album’s less obviously derivative offerings. Hints of Leonard Cohen poignancy and Simon & Garfunkel folksiness come through on standouts like “Twisted” and “Missing Link,” but the voice is decidedly Moren’s-and it’s one well worth listening to.
