PHOTOS BY ERIC NOWELS

Aptly clad in a skinny black tie and sport coat for the landmark occasion and snazzy venue -- New York City's intimate Joe's Pub -- Peter Morén, a.k.a the frontman of Swede sensations Peter, Bjorn and John, strolled on stage last night (Nov. 19) for his first time ever as a solo act. "I usually play with two other guys," said Morén, visibly anxious beneath a crowd of curious eyes, "but this night is going to be about my songwriting." Um, sure was -- Morén opened with a solo acoustic cover of Richard Hell's "Time," and it was spot on, setting the stage for the humorous and musically impressive night ahead.

Some people clam up, others sweat and stutter, but when Morén becomes nervous, it's all chatter: "I'm going to talk like hell tonight, so be ready for it," he said, fidgeting with his guitar strap. "I have a new band called Peter, Doug and Chris," Morén then joked, introducing the piano and drum accompaniment. The trio then dove into "Reel to Reel," a tune from his forthcoming solo debut, The Last Tycoon. The result: an alleviating, flourishing departure with alternating rhythms, plucks, and pounding drums.

From there it was all up hill: "This Is What I Came For," a lengthy track with a wild guitar stanza backed by handclaps followed, and "Le Petite Coeur," snagged the evening's top prize as dark string arrangements and catchy songwriting delivered poignant melodies and epic crescendos as bass boomed from the piano's lower register.

The set capped with the rollicking "Missing Link" and "My Match," the latter a catchy number and only tune played on electric guitar. Then Morén disappeared backstage -- but just briefly. He surfaced to play an old PB&J song, "Collect, Select, Reflect," and a rousing cover of a-ha's "Take On Me," replete with crowd claps and backing lyrics.

"I think I would like to do this again," Morén exclaimed, beaming in glee, privy to the show's zealous result, "It was very fun." Bjorn Yttling, on hand to support his bandmate's endeavors, then saddled up behind the piano for an acoustic version of PB&J's "Objects of My Affection," equally impressive sans reverb drenched guitars. Judging by the fervent ovation, fans hope this solo Tycoon takes the stage again very soon, too.

We asked: Peter Morén's forthcoming solo debut, The Last Tycoon, is predominantly influenced by F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished final novel, The Love of the Last Tycoon. If you could choose a book to influence a piece of music, which would you choose?

Name: Nate Fish
Age: 27
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Occupation: Baseball coach
"The Dead Sea Scrolls."

Name: Kate Doherty
Age: 22
Hometown: Wilmington, DE
Occupation: Student "Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger."

Name: Gregg Drusinski
Age: 26
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
Occupation: Cook
"The Wishing Tree by Ruth Chew."

Name: Klaus Anderson
Age: 25
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Occupation: Bartender / Model
"The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank."

Name: Dan Reineke
Age: 29
Hometown: Naperville, IL
Occupation: Restaurateur
"The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway"

Name: Melissa Wright
Age: 24
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Occupation: Bartender
"Lord of the Flies by William Golding."

Peter Morén takes the stage at Joe's Pub / Photo by Eric Nowels

The PB&J frontman salutes his followers / Photo by Eric Nowels

Morén with Bjorn Yttling on piano / Photo by Eric Nowels

Morén in his comfort zone / Photo by Eric Nowels

The last tycoon / Photo by Eric Nowels