album of the week - 4.2

Peter Bjorn And John

Living Thing

Almost Gold (2009)

why you'll love it:  Refreshing crazy pop by songwriting vets

why you'll hate it:  too strange and silly for old school fans

I've never done drugs in my whole life, but I'm really glad when others moderately do; namely the Swedish-pop trio Peter Bjorn And John. Last year, the band took a dramatic musical shift from their safe and profitable songwriting style. "Young Folks" still has legs today as a karaoke hit, and yet the group brazenly released a full instrumental album in late 2008.

The trio has returned to 3 minute sing-alongs, but with a brand new weird soundscape. It's no Animal Collective, but certainly an evolutionary leap for the band. The songs are still catchy and easy on the ears, but the production features lots of booming drums, electronics, and choir singing. The song and video for "Lay it Down" is fearless in its humor and presentation. The latest single, "Nothing To Worry About" is the best song Gorillaz never wrote. Sometimes the weirdness tightens its grip too hard. "I'm Losing My Mind" sounds like fuckin heroin music. Luckily, there is little time spent sulking beyond this one track.

While most joy I get from this album is the very fact that PB&J is doing it, it stands on its own as an enjoyable wacky pop album. Beck, Gorillaz, and Architecture in Helsinki fans will get it. Most of their core fanbase will be left scratching their heads.