Writer's Block [US Bonus Tracks]

1	Writer's Block 0:16
2	Objects of My Affection 4:35
3	Young Folks 4:39
4	Amsterdam 3:37
5	Start to Melt 2:15
6	Up Against the Wall 7:06
7	Paris 2004 3:52
8	Let's Call It Off Single Mix 3:39
9	The Chills 3:50
10	Roll the Credits 6:31
11	Poor Cow 4:45
12	Ancient Curse Bonus Track 3:24
13	All Those Expectations Bonus Track / Weak Remix 2:11
14	Let's Call It Off Bonus Track / Girl Talk Remix 3:18

Barnes & Noble

Swedes Peter Moren, Björn Yttling, and John Eriksson have been making records since 1999, but it wasn't till the release of their infectious single "Young Folks" that they began to make a splash outside of Stockholm. With its bongo-crazy beat, a whistled hook, and guest vocals by ex-Concretes singer Victoria Bergsman, "Young Folks" is one of those songs (like Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy") that gets stuck in your head before the first chorus is through. While the rest of Writer's Block is no less catchy, "Young Folks" is not really representative of the album, which can't be pinned down all that easily. In fact, Writer's Block may have been better diagnosed as "Multiple Personality Disorder," as it also features a handful of other styles, bound together by the quality of the songs, Moren's Lennon-esque vocals, and a healthy dose of reverb. You'll hear jangly pop reminiscent of the Jesus and Mary Chain by way of the Everly Brothers ("Let's Call It Off"), while the dreamy "I Start to Melt" and the epic noise-fest "Up Against the Wall" show a love of early-'90s shoegaze. That still leaves room for moody post-punk ("Chills"), a winsome romance ("Paris 2004"), and a little more whistling ("Amsterdam") just for good measure. Two whistling songs is as much as most people can take -- even on an album this good. Bill Pearis

All Music Guide

Peter Bjorn and John's third album deserves every bit of attention and hype it's received, from large media outlets right down to the lowliest blog. It's a major work of post-everything indie rock that has enough hooks, production genius, and emotional strength to make other rock acts (indie or otherwise) sound like they are just wasting everyone's time. The group's previous two albums were excellent power pop records with an excess of brains and style, whereas Writer's Block scales back the guitars in favor of subtler arrangements that deliver just as much power sonically and ups the stakes in every other way. Every song has that kind of stripped-down, well-thought-out, whatever-works production style that brings the music fully to life. Check the steel drums on "Let's Call It Off," the shh-shh-shh percussion on "The Chills," or the majestic tubular bells of "Roll the Credits" for Spectorian shoegaze production magic. Or look at the infectious single "Young Folks" for the key to why the record sounds so right. Here they added the whistling as a marker for a future instrument but realized the offhanded whistle was just what the song needed. These are the decisions that make for greatness. Sure, the songs would have worked fine with just guitar-bass-drums backing, but the arrangements are like huge hooks that catch you and won't let go. The band also isn't content to stick to a formula. From the reverberating New Order sound of "Up Against the Wall," the small-group balladry of "Poor Cow," and the dynamic indie rock hum of "Objects of My Affection" to the austere synth pop of "Amsterdam," each song has a unique feel that adds up to an album that works as a whole as well as a collection of great songs.

While the sound of Writer's Block is varied, the lyrical content is pretty black-and-white, focusing on the highs and (mostly) lows of romance. On the high side there's the giddy us-against-the-world "Young Folks," which is as nice a love ballad as you'll hear anywhere. Victoria Bergsman and Peter Moren's duet is enough to warm the heart of even the grumpiest romance snob. The lilting "Paris 2004," which features the perfectly sweet line "while I'm sleeping you paint a ring on my finger with your black marker pen," is also heartbreakingly romantic. The lows are as low as the highs are high. You have lovers about to break up ("Let's Call It Off," "Up Against the Wall," and "Roll the Credits"), guys feeling wistful as hell ("The Chills"), and absolutely desolate heartache ("Objects of My Affection"). Without the love songs, this would have been a very bleak listen; as it is, the balance is just right. It's pretty rare for a band to get better after being together as long as PB&J. Usually they peter out quickly and start releasing retreads or desperate attempts to make a statement or keep a record deal. Writer's Block is the work of a band at the absolute peak of its writing and performing skill. It's hard to imagine Peter Bjorn and John getting better than this. Hopefully they will, but if not, they'll always have this album to call their masterpiece. [The 2007 Almost Gold edition included three bonus tracks.] Tim Sendra