What can I say about this unconventional three-man band? Peter Bjorn and John (bandmates Peter, Bjorn, and John) create interesting images with their sound…from pounding piano and mood-mimicking bass hooks to static-y echo vocals you wish you could recreate. Their lyrics blend blissfully behind it all and submerge you into a world that is synced to the happy endings of indie movies. But of course that happens. They’re an indie band.
If you haven’t heard of them, they’re this Swedish indie pop band that blew up in 2006/2007 with their song “Young Folks” off their Writer’s Block album (vocals accompanied by Victoria Bergsman). However, this is not their first debut. They actually formed in 1999, and their music has been featured on movies like 21 (“You got me up against the wall” –> their “Up Against the Wall” song), and TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy, Melrose Place, Parenthood, and Gossip Girl. They’ve been around for awhile to say the least, and their latest head-bobbing hit “Lies” (off their 2011 album Gimme Some) is quite fetching (<–Mean Girls reference – couldn’t resist).
I personally started listening when I heard “Young Folks”, but I went deeper into Writer’s Block, bought the CD, and secured one of my favorites to be “Start to Melt”. It’s a mirage of sounds that make you want to melt, you’re so happy. It sure puts a smile on my face when I listen to it. I hope it puts one on yours. (The following is a mix between “Start to Melt” and “Up Against the Wall”).
Top Musical Influences: The obvious: John Lennon, John Cage, Bob Dylan, R.E.M., Sonic Youth; the not-so-obvious: Jay-Z, AC/DC, Prince, ABBA, the O’Jays, “girlfriends, politics, art, dogs….”
Top Songs: Young Folks, Second Chance, It Don’t Move Me, Amsterdam
Sound: nostalgic, pop-indie, feel-good, quirky