Faces & Names

Pirner’s first solo album after two decades with Soul Asylum finds his worst, most painfully earnest lyrical tendencies going unchecked — unhinged rants about social justice and tepid spiritual meditations. He’s also forsaken his group’s musical grit for dilettantism; unfortunately, the odd gospel, jazz, and blues flourishes inspired by his adopted hometown of New Orleans only make Pirner sound even less at home.