Since "Young Folks" was such an inescapable smash for them in 2007, it would have been easy for Peter Bjorn and John to try to follow in its bubblegummy footsteps and become a happy, shiny pop band with a strong line in novelty songs. Instead, the trio first released an instrumental album (Seaside Rock) in late 2008 and then returned with the much darker, less bubbly album Living Thing in the spring of 2009. That being said, Writer's Block wasn't that upbeat, and apart from "Young Folks" and a couple other tracks, its sound and lyrical themes were pretty gloomy at heart. There were plenty of guitars, though, and that's a big difference, as Living Thing continues the trio's effort to refine and reduce its sound into just the essential elements needed to put the songs across. To that end, guitars make only occasional cameos and basses, too, are rarely heard, as the bulk of the album is based around percussion and voices. The percussion isn't straight drums, usually they are tweaked or electronic, and often the instruments the band does feature, like piano and synthesizer, are used for their percussive value. It's an approach often found in hip-hop, and it's possible that the bands' association with Kanye West opened their ears to new ways of presenting their songs. Like Kanye on 808s & Heartbreak, PB&J are also infatuated by the icy textures of synth pop on Living Thing. There are healthy amounts of cold synths, FXed guitars, and detached vocals, but like on 808s, there is a very human heart beating beneath the machines and through all the songs.
You can hear it in Peter's vocals (less so in Bjorn and John's vocal features, which take up more space on this album than on Writer's Block and serve to dilute the identity of the band some, but may help to keep the band together longer), in the heart-rending lyrics, in the heartbreak beats, and in the emotionally electric songs. The only song with any hope of replicating a fraction of "Young Folks"' success could be the first single, "Nothing to Worry About," which instead of whistling has children's voices in the naggingly catchy chorus as the hook. (The better choice for a single, the insistent and tough rocker "Lay It Down," won't catch on because the chorus features the kind of words you might not want your 12-year-old singing along with.) There are plenty of songs that do deliver the expected pop hooks and emotional weight, though. "Living Thing," with its singalong chorus that references the ELO song of the same name, the '50s pop-influenced ballad "Stay This Way" (which has a ripping stylophone solo), the comforting and sweet "Just the Past," and the New Order-ish "It Don't Move Me" are as good as anything the band has ever done. It's been kind of a long journey from the simple power pop of the band's first records to the complex and highly arranged sound of Living Thing, but there are no signs that the trip is over. And if Peter Bjorn and John keep putting out albums as challenging, intelligent, and emotional as this, there is no reason for anyone to get off the bandwagon any time soon.
Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block may have inadvertently previewed what was to come for this band; unlike most one hit wonders, the Swedish trio had released three albums with a number of fantastic tracks; "Young Folks" just happened to catch a wave of support that far surpassed anything else they had ever done — for random circumstances as much as its own brilliance. Now, with "Young Folks.
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In the minds of most North American indie rock fans Peter Bjorn and John will be forever linked to an earworm of a whistling bit. With Living Thing (out Mar. 31st), the Swedish trio seem determined to erase the memory of "Young Folks".Living Thing is still rife with catchy pop hooks, however, there is a more sombre overtone that blankets the band's fifth studio record. Songs like Just the Pa
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Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block may have inadvertently previewed what was to come for this band; unlike most one hit wonders, the Swedish trio had released three albums with a number of fantastic tracks; "Young Folks" just happened to catch a wave of support that far surpassed anything else they had ever done — for random circumstances as much as its own brilliance. Now, with "Young Folks.
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In the minds of most North American indie rock fans Peter Bjorn and John will be forever linked to an earworm of a whistling bit. With Living Thing (out Mar. 31st), the Swedish trio seem determined to erase the memory of "Young Folks".Living Thing is still rife with catchy pop hooks, however, there is a more sombre overtone that blankets the band's fifth studio record. Songs like Just the Pa
More >
Pitchfork runs around with Peter Bjorn and John during SXSW for a series called Daytripping. Bjorn gets lost, they eat some Italian food and stop in for a Daytrotter Session, among other things. Watch bigger at Pitchfork.tv.In other Peter Bjorn and John news, Aziz Ansari says they beat him up over a serving of mashed potatoes.Peter Bjorn and John - "Amsterdam"peterbjornandjohn.com
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Today’s SOTD is “It Don’t Move Me” by Peter Bjorn and John. Everyone knows them from their hit single “Young Folks”, this is another great track from the newest release Living Thing available on now. Peter Bjorn and John are on tour with Depeche Mode this summer, check out their myspace [...]
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Quietly Peter Bjorn and John’s Living Thing is slowly making it’s way back into my steady rotation of albums. It’s pretty darn good. They’ve just released a new video for one of the stand out tracks, “It Don’t Move Me”. This video combines Michael Jackson (there must be a them for videos this month), Flash [...]
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Always inventive, Peter Bjorn & John have just released an online remix EP of their song, "It Don't Move Me." at https://www.masterbeat.com/#release/884977266214Gotta love these guys because at http://campaign.musicmyne.com/DnYBiaRrYA0Ks/ you can create your own remix to the song and submit it for the chance to win and have your version featured on the band's Myspace page. :]
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The A.V. Club has the video premiere for Peter Bjorn and John's new video, "It Don't Move Me." Yep, at A.V. Club. They wouldn't let me embed the video here. Cheers boys.Check it out: World premiere: amazing new Peter Bjorn And John video!
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Strangely great music vid by Peter Bjorn and John: "It Don't Move Me" I love the lead singer's dance moves in this one, they're mad decent bro! (hehe). White boys dancing is the best, lol. Besides that, the song is pretty f'n awesome. XL Recordings score another point for releasing great material!!"
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Peter Bjorn and John have announced dates for a forthcoming tour of North America.The jaunt, in support of the band’s latest album ‘Living Thing‘, is set to kick off November 7 in Washington, DC.Among the dates announced are shows in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles.Supporting the band on the tour will be El Perro Del Mar and Fool’s Gold. Peter Bjorn and John Tour dates:11-07: 9:30 Club
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Hey! If you head over to PB&J’s myspace, you can stream the entire new album Living Thing before it hits stores next week!.“Lay It Down (The Golden Filter remix)” | downloadPB&J | Myspace | Tour Dates | Buy
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Yesterday the new cover art for Living Thing , the upcoming album from the swedish trio PB&J was unveiled. There was also some N. American dates announced, dated below.04-21 Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Cafe 04-22 Milwaulkee, WI - Pabst Theatre 04-23 Chicago, IL - Metro 04-24 Newport, KY - Southgate House 04-25 Toronto, Ontario - Phoenix Theatre 04-26 Ottowa, Ontario - Capital Music Hall...
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The Golden Filter - Solid Gold | Peter, Bjorn & John - Lay It Down (The Golden Filter Remix) I know I've used this excuse countless times, but yes, once again, I have completely ignored an great group/band/artist, just because I "don't have time" to listen to everything without having to sit in front of this [...]
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Mick Boogie has remixed Peter Bjorn and John’s latest album, Living Thing, and is giving it away as a free download. The remix of Stay This Way also has a music video on Vimeo, in eight bit graphic fashion. I feel it, can you feel it?Mick Boogie / Peter Bjorn and John – Stay This [...]
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Always been a fan of Peter, Bjorn, and John, but when I saw this remix of their hit "Nothing to Worry About" featuring fellow Swede Adam Tensta (thanks Couch Sessions) by Troublemaker, I had to check it out.
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We Have Band has remixed Peter Bjorn and John's track called 'It Don't Move Me' which is off of their latest album titled 'Living Thing'. We Have Band did an incredible job. They are working on some other big name bands. Ill definitely keep you posted. Check it!Mp3 link below Peter Bjorn and John - It Don't Move Me (We Have Band Remix) (zShare)
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 The Feeling |
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| 2 It Don't Move Me |
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| 3 Just the Past |
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| 4 Nothing to Worry About |
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| 5 I'm Losing My Mind |
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| 6 Living Thing |
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| 7 I Want You! |
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| 8 Lay It Down |
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| 9 Stay This Way |
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| 10 Blue Period Picasso |
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| 11 4 Out of 5 |
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| 12 Last Night |
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Click to purchase…
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 "Living Thing")
