Peter Bjorn and John is a band that seemed to be shackled to a single song. Their 2006 smash hit “Young Folks” reached media saturation, appearing in TV shows, commercials, Kanye West mixtapes and more. It’s 2011 now, and any article about the band can’t seem to get by without mentioning how great “Young Folks” was. It’s truly a shame that the band can’t escape the shadow of its own success, as the Swedish band’s latest, Gimme Some, may not be as catchy or recognizable as “Young Folks” but stands as one of the most thoughtfully-written and recorded albums of the year.
The name of the game in Gimme Some is texturing. From the ethereal “Tomorrow Has to Wait” to the swarthy “(Don’t Let Them) Cool Off,” every song brings a completely unique sound. Expert post-production work along with hook-laden refrains keeps the album grounded. Songs flow into one another smoothly, retaining a distinct identity the whole time.
Beyond pure studio work, Gimme Some is fascinating in its instrumentation. Singer Peter Morén has one of the most versatile voices in rock, and Gimme Some might as well serve as his showcase piece. The same can be said of bandmates Bjorn Yttling and John Eriksson, whose guitar and drum work are equally worthy of praise. The band’s musicianship is obvious within the first few tracks.
Coupled with exquisite songwriting that mirrors psychedelic and surf-rock bands of the mid ‘60s, Gimme Some reminds audiences why songwriting is so important in the first place, with Morén promising on “Breaker Breaker” to “Stuff your mouth with all your riddles.” Verses may not always rhyme and phrasing may seem overlong, but clever wordplay and attitude more than make up for these missteps.
My biggest complaint with Gimme Some is its brevity, an aside that speaks more to the album’s quality. Gimme Some is an astoundingly solid album, and hopefully one that can help elevate the band out of their past success.
