Living Thing falls short of expectations

A case of Writer's Block would have served the trio better.

By Rachel Post

Published April 6, 2009

Peter Bjorn & John, the Swedish trio comprised of guitarist and vocalist Peter Morén, vocalist Björn Yttling and drummer and percussionist John Eriksson, experienced quite a bit of success with their 2006 album Writer's Block and its single "Young Folks" -- and for good reason.

Writer's Block is the most substantial album Peter Bjorn & John have produced, with charming lyrics and a diverse range of music styles, but the group seems to have taken a step (or five) back with Living Thing.

Living Thing is inundated with synthesized drums, awkward percussion and an overall primal, teeth-grinding, cluttered sound.

The album begins with "The Feeling," which foreshadows the raw energy that Peter Bjorn & John tried to encapsulate on the album. Yttling sings, "Last time we got high/we thought we had the puzzle worked out." Whether this album was made under the influence, it definitely suffices as a stoner album.

"Nothing to Worry About," the album's first single, is not as grungy as other songs on the album, but is a stoner song nonetheless. The single might initially seem to be annoying, but its carefree lyrics, catchy percussion and characteristic clapping quickly become addictive.

Yttling nonsensically sings, "Do this thing, this type of thing/Put a little money in this type of thing/I got nothing to worry about/I got nothing to worry about," throughout the song. The trio should have taken advantage of this blithe, enjoyable tone, but most of the album is starkly grungier.

The deep, raw sounds continue throughout. Whereas Writer's Block featured lightweight acoustic guitar and drums, Living Thing is almost primal. Also noticeable is Peter's Morén's more pronounced accent, different from Writer's Block.

"It Don't Move Me," the album's second song, sounds like something Lykke Li would sing, with languid lyrics and Li's characteristically powerful piano. (Coincidently, Yttling co-produced Lykke Li's first album, Youth Novels.)

"Living Thing," the album's title track, is probably the biggest disappointment of the bunch. The song is supposed to set the tone for the album, but instead is cringe-inducing with its frog-like reverberations of "Living thing, it's a living thing" and truly annoying percussion.

"I Want You!" is refreshing compared to other songs on the album, with whimsical vocals and guitar and less powerful drums. Yttling sings with a very pronounced accent, "Cold feet/Your sister is sweet, oh so sweet/But listen, it's you I'd like to meet."

The rest of the album following "I Want You!" is unremarkable, especially "4 Out Of 5."

Although Peter Bjorn & John deserve props for their efforts to follow up their most successful album, Writer's Block, they unfortunately fell short of expectations. Some of the songs on Living Thing deserve recognition, but for the most part, it seems as though Morén, Yttling and Eriksson's efforts did not live up to past work.

Long gone are charming, whimsical songs, such as "Young Folks" and "Objects of My Affection" -- say hello to grungy, annoying clutter that makes you want to slam your head against a brick wall. Or just get high.

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