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Artvoice Weekly Edition » Issue v6n9 (03/01/2007) » Section: Left of the Dial


Peter, Bjorn and John: Writer's Block

I’m normally not one for perpetuating stereotypes, but the Swedes are a sneaky folk. Look at the inexplicable success of Ace of Base, every mopey girl’s obsession with Muriel’s Wedding and the fact that people actually pay to see the theatrical abortion that is Mamma Mia! And now there’s the Swedish indie-pop trio Peter Bjorn And John, who stay true to their country’s grand tradition of deception on their second record, Writer’s Block. On first listen, the 11 tracks on Writer’s Block are all simple, uneventful affairs. But after spinning it a few more times, it becomes clear that Peter Bjorn And John have made themselves a grower. Behind the record’s low-budget production and basic song structures lies some unexpectedly fertile artistic ground—philosophies on life, relationships, getting older and dealing with the past, coupled with pretty, hands-in-your-pockets-sounding melodies.



Yoko Ono: Yes, I Am a Witch

It’s always been impossible to approach Yoko Ono’s music without a preconceived notion. No matter how untrue it is, the image of Ono as a Beatle-killing succubus is unavoidable—and her psychotic wailing on songs like “Kiss Kiss Kiss” has only contributed to the myth. Hopefully, the stunning new Ono remix record, Yes, I Am a Witch, will change a few people’s minds. Astralwerks Records has amassed a who’s who of avant pop and electronica artists and given them the chance to re-imagine their favorite Ono song. The results are unsurprisingly adventurous and uncommonly beautiful.





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