Live Video: Peter, Bjorn and John in Minneapolis

Here is live footage we shot of Peter, Bjorn and John at their show on April 21, 2009 at the Fineline.

Peter, Bjorn and John - "It Don't Move Me" (Live in Minneapolis 4/21/09)

*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - "It Don't Move Me"

Peter, Bjorn and John - "Nothing To Worry About" (Live in Minneapolis 4/21/09)

*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - "Nothing To Worry About"

Watch these videos in HD here.

(Ian Anderson/Alyssa Kleven)

Tonight: Peter, Bjorn and John at the Fine Line

*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - "Living Thing"

Peter, Bjorn and John are playing at the Fine Line tonight. Their new record, "Living Thing," has been quite the pleasant surprise.

4/21: Mpls, MN @ the Fine Line
4/22: Milwaukee, WI @ Pabst Theatre
4/23: Chicago, IL @ Metro
4/24: Newport, KY @ Southgate House
4/25: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre
4/26: Ottawa, ON @ Capital Music Hall
4/27: Montreal, QC @ Le National
4/28: Boston, MA @ Paradise
4/29: NY, NY @ Webster Hall
4/30: Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
05/1: Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
05/2: Washington DC @ 9:30 Club

MySpace

(Ian Anderson)

Top Ten Songs On Elbo.Ws Reviewed In 50 Words or Less: 01/15/09--01/31/09

1. Black Lips - "Short Fuse"

Download: Black Lips - "Short Fuse"

When not escaping the authorities of developing countries, this Atlanta quarter, self-described as "flower punk," manages to create compelling bits retro-rock throwing back to the days of one Charles Hardin Holley. “Short Fuse” is no exception, though it’s doubtful that Buddy wrote anything this explosive, and hints of psychedelia further cement that impression.

Grade: B

2. Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - "1999"

Download: Suburban Kids with Biblical Names - "1999"

Speaking as a suburban kid with a biblical name, I feel like I can officially say that this song sucks. But feel free to disagree, Malachai.

Grade: D

3. Animal Collective - "My Girls"

Download: Animal Collective - "My Girls"

The multi-layered harmonies of the brothers Wilson get a widescreen, technicolor synth update via one of music's most adventurously experimental--while remaining transcendentally melodious. Let’s hope Animal Collective have room for at least a keyboard in their minimalist utopia. We'd all be at a loss if they truly ditched the material things--or even non-material things, like social status.

Grade: A

4. The Whitest Boy Alive - "Islands"

Download: The Whitest Boy Alive - "Islands"

Again with the inadvertently autobiographical band names! Whether or not Erlend Øye has the most translucent pigment amongst the world's living is one thing, but "Islands" has just the right amount of bass, synths and clean guitar tones to suggest a hybrid minimalism between krautrock, funk, and reggae. Less is more, once again.

Grade: B+

5. Heartless Bastards - "The Mountain"

Download: Heartless Bastards - "The Mountain"

The feelings remain the same as last time, so I will summarize: Though HB are ostensibly a blues-revival band, they sound more like a slowed down Dinosaur Jr. (think "Sludgefest"). The pedal-steel guitar helps add poignant texture, and the song early on settles into a mid-tempo groove that eventually ingratiates itself with the listener.

Grade: B

6. Peter, Bjorn and John - "Lay it Down" (The Golden Filter Remix)

Download: Peter Bjorn & John - "Lay It Down" (The Golden Filter Remix)

The slinky, sensual late 80s new-wave/disco groove masks a considerable amount of hostility in the refrain (but as you'll no doubt discover, the hostility is warranted). Another minimalist dance track and, like WBA, it's one that rewards the patience of listeners by slowly adding layer after engaging layer of pretty solid dance music.

Grade: B+

7. Marissa Nadler - "River of Dirt"

Download: Marissa Nadler - "River of Dirt"

An alt-country chanteuse from Massachusetts, Nadler creates comes off like a dreamier, more shoegaze-influenced Neko Case. In terms of songcraft, Nadler can't help but pale in comparison to the likes of "Deep Red Bells" or "Star Witness," but "River of Dirt" makes a good case that Nadler will establish her own voice soon.

Grade: B

8. Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"

Download: Bon Iver - "Blood Bank"

For the second time, the thoughts remain the same: "Blood Bank" shows that Bon Iver's post-folk debut was no fluke, and this new batch of material showcases a warmer side of the group.

Grade: A-

9. Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

Download: Handsome Furs - "I'm Confused"

One of the many offshoots of Wolf Parade, the duo consisting of Dan Boeckner and Alexei Perry, this new song from Handsome Furs' upcoming second record is a good replication of early 80s new wave. Granted, it's that and nothing more, but a propulsive beat and a strong melody become insistent and inescapable, if derivative.

Grade: B

10. Dirty Projectors and David Byrne - "Knotty Pine"

Download:

While this collaboration isn't as mind-warping as one would hope, the Dirty Projectors come together with one of their influences to put together a song that sounds a lot like Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Figure the meta-implications of that one on your own.

Grade: B-

Cross-published on CIMI

Peter, Bjorn and John - "Young Folks" (Klumpfisk Remix)

*MP3: Peter, Bjorn and John - "Young Folks" (Klumpfisk Remix)

I've been enjoying this Peter, Bjorn and John "Young Folks" remix via Klumpfisk all weekend. Discuss?

Peter, Bjorn and John on MySpace

Top Ten Songs on Elbo.Ws Reviewed in 50 Words or Less: 8/15/08-8/31/08

1. Peter, Bjorn and John - "Inland Empire"

Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Inland Empire"

In stark contrast to their past material's hook-saturated ebullience, "Inland Empire" is a noir instrumental driven by hi-hat hits, atmospheric sound, and quirky instrumentation. The guitar and horn cliches strain a bit, but those brief mistakes don't take away from a fascinating departure that shows PB&J are more than effervescent pop-smiths.

Grade: B+

2. School of Seven Bells - "Conjur"

Download: School of Seven Bells - "Conjur"

Two-parts On!Air!Library!, one-part Secret Machines, this newly formed trio recalls the airy vocals of High Places, and the ethereal, but still beat-heavy, shoegazer of Blonde Redhead. "Conjur" does exactly that: listeners will be reminded of greats past and present, while they float on a cloud of feelings evoking content, loveliness and transcendence.

Grade: A-

3. Ra Ra Riot - "Dying is Fine"

Download: Ra Ra Riot - "Dying is Fine"

The latest line in New York-based blog favorites, the quintet contemplate life's big questions (Sadly, they've credibility on the subject) while playing competent indie-rock that touches on many pop-heavy references (Death Cab guitar riff here, Billy Joel-style chorus there). Catchy, certainly, but there's a time and place for this kind of thing. It's called college.

Grade: C+

4. The Broken West - "Auctioneer"

Download: The Broken West - "Auctioneer"

Again, fine musicianship, and catchy melodies. But listeners have heard this particular brand of modern power-pop before. And they'll hopefully hear it done with more inspiration later (possibly by this very band).

Grade: C

5. Los Campesinos - "How I Taught Myself To Scream"

Download: Los Campesinos - "How I Taught Myself To Scream"

The international tweexcore underground writes another joyously extroverted pop song, with slight orchestral touches, and some nods Irish folk and the melodic noise usually coming from multi-instrumentalist collectives in Canada. Familiar, yes, but Los Campesinos also show how much you can do with infectious energy and a triumphant sense of youthful optimism.

Grade: B+

6. The Chemical Brothers - "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" (Soulwax Remix)

Download: The Chemical Brothers - "Hey Boy, Hey Girl" (Soulwax Remix)

Did a spaceship just land in my apartment? Well, at least their tunes are alright.

Grade: B

7. Department of Eagles - "No One Does It Like You"

Download: Department of Eagles - "No One Does It Like You"

3/4ths of shimmering indie harmonists Grizzly Bear can't be wrong, can they? Not when they repeat the successful formulas of past songs (doo-wop-tinged melodies, soaking the production in reverb, brisket-style). The problem? Why don't listeners simply go back and listen to "Knife"?

Grade: B-

8. Of Montreal - "Nonpariel of Favor"

Download: Of Montreal - "Nonpariel of Favor"

Beginning with classical motifs that briefly quote classic-rock camp, "Nonpariel of Favor" delivers on its creators' promise to make pop music that's unpredictable, let logical. By borrowing from pop's great psychedelic progenitors, and by evoking its contemporaries, Of Montreal given us a glance at what is sure to be another masterful album.

Grade: A

9. TV On The Radio - "Golden Age"

Download: TV On The Radio - "Golden Age"

With a bass line tuning into Michael Jackson, these famous experimentalists don't so much flip the script of the ghostly, horn-driven Cookie Mountain, as creak it open more to see what's there. Turns out, it makes a brother wanna dance. Also, a whole hell of a lot of great music.

Grade: A-

10. The Walkmen - "In The New Year"

Download: The Walkmen - "In The New Year"

The vocal Dylan-isms hit the nail on the head way too much, but The Walkmen successfully create a punch-drunk atmosphere conducive to the most warm and open of sing-alongs. That echo-heavy guitar sound certainly helps a lot. With any luck, "In The New Year" will be the anthem of yours.

Grade: A-

(Jonathan Graef)

New Peter Bjorn and John - "Inland Empire"

Download: Peter Bjorn & John - "Inland Empire" (via)

Considering the feast of harmonization that was their 2006 release Writer's Block, an entirely instrumental album from Swedish pop trio Peter, Bjorn and John might seem like complete and utter sacrilege. Like the Pixies making an album entirely of LOUD-LOUD-quiet, or Motorhead not kicking ass. So it's quite the excellent surprise that the new PB&J (teehee) song, "Inland Empire" from their upcoming transitional LP, Seaside Rock, is abstract and menacing. Quite the opposite from the happy sing-alongs that got their material on TV and in advertisements. Also, it seems very fitting in the week that Isaac Hayes passes on into the funky afterlife, a track opening with a relentless hi-hat debuts online. Everything that's old is new again.

Listen to "Inland Empire" at the top of the post.

Peter Bjorn and John MySpace Page

(Jonathan Graef)

Peter Bjorn and John Perform Live on Sound Opinions

Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Paris 2004" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Young Folks" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Amsterdam" (Live on Sound Opinions)
Download: Peter Bjorn and John - "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off" (Live on Sound Opinions)

Enjoy these four mp3s of Peter Bjorn and John performing tracks from their widely-acclaimed (particularly upon its stateside releases this year) Writer's Block on NPR's "Sound Opinions." In addition, PB & J are touring the world well into the fall. Here are the remaining dates of that tour:

2007-07-06: Festival, Roskilde
2007-07-07: Festival, Les Rock Dand Tous Ses Etats, Evreux
2007-07-21: Benicasim, Valencia
2007-07-22: Festival, Gurten
2007-07-27: Festival, Berlin
2007-07-29: Fuji Rock, Niigata
2007-07-31: Henry Fonda Theater, Los Angeles, CA
2007-08-01: House Of Blues, San Diego, CA USA
2007-08-02: Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City, Utah2007-08-04: Festival/Pimlico Race Park/Virgin Fest, Baltimore, MD
2007-08-05: Festival/Lollapalooza, Chicago, IL
2007-08-06: Pabst Theater, Milwaukee, MI
2007-08-07: The Pageant, StLouis, MO
2007-08-08: City Hall, Nashville, TN
2007-08-24: Festival, Leeds Festival, Leeds
2007-08-25: Concorde 2, Brighton
2007-08-26: Festival, Reading Festival, Reading
2007-08-26: Festival, Get Loaded In The Park, London
2007-09-06: Roseland, New York, NY
2007-09-07: Avalon Ballroom, Boston, MA
2007-09-08: Festival/Osheaga Fest/Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal, QC
2007-09-09: Festival/Virgin Fest/Toronto Islands Park, Toronto, ON
2007-09-11: Cats Cradle, Carrboro, NC
2007-09-12: Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
2007-09-14: Festival/Austin City Limits/Zilker Park, Austin, TX

(Jonathan Graef)

Peter Bjorn and John: Writer's Block

Peter Bjorn and John
Writer’s Block (Almost Gold)
Grade: B+

So I’ve been digesting this record for about three weeks now. I like to take my time with albums that have been hyped as much as this one has; sort of as a means of combat it. This way, I can decide conclusively if the record actually deserves the acclaim it has received. It’s why I will stand by my Menomena review every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It’s because I listened to that record pretty much non-stop after it came out for a couple of weeks, and then declared it to be bullshit.

After many months of blog-induced anticipation, Writer’s Block finally reached U.S. shores three weeks ago. While there is certainly a lot to recommend about Writer’s Block , it isn’t quite the life-changing endeavor that the online community has made it out to be.

The reason that PB and J (huh, that’s weird) don’t reach this goal with Writer’s Block is certainly not due to a lack of great songs. The problem is that the miscalculation of ending the record with two songs that are in stark contrast with the rest of the album.

But hey, I’m willing to put up with two duds if the rest of the eight songs are indie-pop excellence. Writer’s Block first full song is “Objects of My Affection,” a song that sounds like what The Smiths would write once Morrissey finally got over his melodramatic, though perhaps tongue-in-cheek, adolescent angst. A lyric like “I laugh more often now/I cry more often now/I am more free” is the kind of thing you’d hear from a guy who is moving on, heartbroken, but most definitely wiser because of the experience. The music is driven by a galloping, waltzing drum beat, jangly guitars and super-melodic whistling. After the chorus, the band gets blanketed with keyboards, and the effect is awe-inspiring.

After “Objects”, Writer’s Block really opens up with “Young Folks,” which, if our side of the Atlantic really had good taste in pop music, would knock down the doors of the Hot 100 charts like it was David Caruso on “CSI: Miami.” Bongos, more joyful whistling, and a coy, purring female vocal (guest Victoria Bergsman of the Concretes) make for a playful, catchy song. “Young Folks” was top 40 hit on the UK singles chart. What the hell are we doing listening to “Lips of An Angel”?

And so it goes for the rest of the album, including highlights like "Amsterdam" and "Let's Call It Off."

So then what’s the problem if there are so many great songs on Writer’s Block ?

The end of the record felt a bit anti-climatic to me. The last two songs, “Roll The Credits” and “Poor Cow,” are in stark contrast with the rest of the record in terms of tone. Both are slow, ponderous and dull.

Normally, I’d be happy with a band throwing its listeners a sonic curve ball. I should love “Roll The Credits,” in theory, due to the fact that it reminds me of Isn’t Anything -era My Bloody Valentine. But if I wanted to listen to MBV, I would. “Poor Cow” is simple, acoustic song like the kind that Big Star end their records with. Again, if I’d wanted to listen to Big Star, I’d listen to Big Star.

The contrast between these two songs with the rest of Writer's Block is too great. Which is a shame because they weaken the impact of what was an amazing album. Instead, it’s just a really, really good one.

(Jonathan Graef)