Peter Bjorn and John - Writer's Block

Peter Bjorn and John possess one of the worst monikers in music. What they also have to their name, however, is a near-perfect pop record with their third release, Writer’s Block. Thanks to an irresistible first single, “Young Folks,” the worldwide hype surrounding this Stockholm trio has been excruciating, but for a change, it’s lived up to. With a unique hybrid of influences ranging from classical to '60s pop to new wave and far beyond, their sound is hard to classify. The songs seem like 11 different canvases yet somehow it all pieces together perfectly. Layered with arrangements of endless instrumentation (maracas, dulcimers, Spanish guitar, and steel pan are just some), they make every sound purposeful and each song cohesive. They’re unlikely to stay media darlings forever, but they’ve definitely earned their acclaim. [www.peterbjornandjohn.com]