SOUNDTRACK: PETER BJORN AND JOHN-Falling Over (2005).
This is Peter Bjorn and John’s second album. I enjoyed Writer’s Block and Living Thing and when I read that their earlier discs were just as good, i had to check them out to be sure. Their first two discs are less polished, less slick. Normally I’d say that automatically makes them better, but PB&J’s sound is pretty great with or without the production values. This disc feels like a transition disc, like something big is going to be coming soon (which it did).
The opening song is a pop masterpiece in the tradition of The Beatles (or more accurately, The Monkees–who wrote great pop songs with just a little less panache). It is catchy right out of the block, with some interesting slower parts to add drama. And Peter’s voice is perfect for this kind of pop convection. It even opens with a Speak n Spell! “Money” has a harder riff, but the chorus is trippy and fun. “It Beats Me Every Time” is a darker song with a melody (and vocal style) that reminds me of Michael Penn (especially the chorus). [I love Michael Penn and think he is vastly underrated].
“Does It matter Now?” is the first song that isn’t awesome. It’s a fine song and there’s some great backing vocals in the middle of the track, but it’s not as good as the first three. But “Big Black Coffin” springs back with a wonderful melody and chorus (and more Michael Penn style).
“Start Making Sense” is 2 minutes long and that’s fine, but it would probably drag if it were longer. But then “Teen Love” is great, with a cool drum section that bridges to the a great chorus. “All Those Expectations” is a slow guitar ballad. It is sweet but a bit too long. “Tailormade” ends the record on a good note, an interesting keyboard-based song with multiple parts and although the verses seems long the pay off in the chorus is worth it.
Strangely, the disc actually ends with what sounds like a demo, “Goodbye, Again Or.” If it’s not a demo, then it sounds like he’s in the next room. Maybe with the door shut. I can’t really grasp the song as I’m so distracted by the recording.
My version of the disc has five bonus tracks. I’m not sure that this is the kind of disc you want bonus tracks for, (my first listen I couldn’t believe this album was so long!) but, really, who says no to free music?
“(I Just Wanna) See Through” has a rock n roll guitar intro. “The Trap’s My Trip” starts out slowly but adds drums with a wonderful introduction after two minutes and then brings in a great rocking guitar. It’s a wonderful b side. “Punk’s Jump Up” is a fun little jam/practice. While “Unreleased Backgrounds” is a slow guitar song. These are nice bonus tracks. Not essential but enjoyable.
This is a solid record from PB&J. Even though some of the early songs are really catchy, nothing is as immediate as “Young Folks.” But it’s still really strong.
[READ: February 15, 2012] “The Silence Here Owns Everything”
Continuing with Narrative magazine’s “30 Below” winners for 2011, this story won second place. It was deceptively simple and I enjoyed it quite a lot. The story was broken down into several sections (which I like), although all the action takes place over one weekend.
It’s written in the first person from the point of view of a high school sophomore (I gather). She and her best friend Kendra are walking home from school on a Friday afternoon. Kendra has bruises on her face, which we assume are from her father. It’s obvious that despite Kendra’s difficulties, the narrator looks up to her quite a lot (she may even have a crush on her, but that’s not really an issue).
The bulk of the story centers on the girls as they walk home, as they hang out at Kendra’s house, as they smoke some weed and as they fall asleep–you know, a typical high school weekend. And Clodfelter captures the tone and details of the setting perfectly. It feels completely real. Especially when Kendra reveals that her boyfriend is coming over in the morning and the narrator wishes (but doesn’t say) that it could be just the two of them instead. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 