Peter Bjorn & John : Writer's Block

Well, moving on somewhat ironically I guess. Time to give more love to the Swedes, hopefully they still love me as much as I love them. I've been listening to Peter Bjorn & John's album Writer's Block since I got my grubby paws on it this past weekend. I had been listening to their blog hit Young Folks pretty much everyday since Matt Skatterbrain first brought it to everyone's attention back in June. Since that time also, the song has apparently been in heavy rotation on MTV. I don't watch MTV, so I don't know. The good news continues, Peter Morén, Bjorn Yttling and John Eriksson's new(ish) album is every bit as good as that first taste I was given back in June. It's not what I expected though. I had very high expectations, to say the least, after Young Folks made such a lasting impression. On past efforts, Peter normally handled the vocals, but the three piece shares the vocal duties throughout this one, so it gives a very mixed bag feel to the album. They also shared the songwriting duties on this one, but it remains pretty much great shoegazey pop throughout. Young Folks may be the only song that makes a lasting impression on the blogosphere from this album, but I happen to think these two, while different, are equally as enjoyable.

"It's groovy and melancholy at the same time," explains Yttling, the band's keyboard and bass player. - quote from The Guardian

The album (or at least the song Chills) is also a tribute to the band The Chills. "First we took a beat from an old Dionne Warwick tune," Yttling says, "then we made this Pink Frost [the Chills' most loved song] chorus thing. It's like a homage to them." Peter Bjorn & John' MySpace.

Peter Bjorn & John - Object of My Affection
Peter Bjorn & John - Up Against The Wall

Older Works:

Peter Bjorn & John - Far Away, By My Side

Peter Bjorn & John's video for Young Folks previously on MOKB.