Live report: David & The Citizens + Laakso @ the Social, London UK 12/11/06

Top 10s for 2006: It's a trap!

Top 10s for 2006: Staff picks

MP3: Peter Bjorn and John - Objects of my affection

It's a big day here at IAT - the closer we get to the end of the year, the more special content I have for you. Not only do we have another new batch of reviews and a brand new top 10 from Viktor Sjöberg, we also have a brand new netrelease, my own slightly off-kilter way of saying "Season's greetings!" Scroll down a bit to download it from the column on the right or go here to learn more.
Now, back to the usual business of the day - today's mp3. Like I did in mid-September earlier this year, it's time once again to revisit some of the year's best songs and today I've got one for you from Peter Bjorn and John. Yes, "Young folks" is great and so is the more recent single "Let's call it off" but, as Jason attests to in his live review, it's on the ballads where the band truly shines. "Objects of my affection" is total heartwrenching way to open the album (there's a short intro track before it, but it's not a 'song' per se). The mix of nostalgia and bittersweet self-reflection in the lyrics couldn't be said any better: "I laugh more often now / I cry more often now / I am more me". If that doesn't affect you, I'm not sure what will. And even though I have said many times that I prefer last year's "Falling out" to "Writer's block", try not to read too much into it. "Writer's block" is great, but "Falling out" is a masterpiece. See the difference? Also, rumor has it that PB&J will finally make it over to the States around March (for SXSW no doubt), so hopefully we'll see some confirmed dates soon.
Look for more of my favorite songs from 2006 as the week progresses.

Peter Bjorn and John - Objects of my affection

NME votes Peter Bjorn and John's "Young folks" as the #2 single of the year: http://www.nme.com/reviews/tracks/oftheyear

Top 10s for 2006: Jonas Skybakmoen (Johndoe)

MP3: Consequences - Come on

The best song from the Consequences demo is still the best song on their debut full-length album, though it must be said that the new version is substantially beefed up. No more Peter Bjorn and John drum loop (from "I don't know what I want us to do" off their first album), instead we're treated to a lush full band arrangement with backing vocals provided by none other than Marit Bergman and Frida Hyvönen. The first single "Release me from love" is a good'un, but this here's a total barn-burner.
Buy Consequences' self-titled debut album: [click here]

Consequences - Come on

Stylus reviews Peter Bjorn and John: http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/peter-bjorn-john/writers-block.htm

Pitchfork finally gets around to reviewing the new Peter Bjorn and John album "Writer's block", bestowing their coveted 'best new music' tag upon it: http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/39118/Peter_Bjorn_and_John_Writers_Block
Buy the album: [click here]

It's official: Laakso will support Peter Bjorn and John in the UK this December. Maybe they'll play Tack! Tack! Tack! as well! It could happen.

Video mix: Peter Bjorn and John, The Lionheart Brothers, Kristofer Åström, Desert Planet, José González, Khoma, more...

Full details and a special offer on the new Peter Bjorn and John single "Let's call it off", due out October 30: http://blog.myspace.com/peterbjornandjohn

Peter Bjorn and John will return to the UK once again in December and rumor has it they will be bringing Laakso along for the ride:

12/05 - Liquid Room, Edinburgh
12/06 - Club Academy, Manchester
12/07 - Audio, Brighton
12/08 - ULU, London
12/09 - Zodiac, Oxford

L'amour â trois has yet another remix of Peter Bjorn and John's "Young folks": http://lamouratrois.blogspot.com/2006/09/peter-bjorn-john-young-folks-punks.html

Lars Skoglund (Laakso, Existensminimum) will replace John Eriksson on Peter Bjorn and John's upcoming UK jaunt. Peter Bjorn and Lars? Doesn't sound nearly as charming.