CD Review: Peter Bjorn and John

Gimme Some (StarTime International)

Wed, Mar 30, 2011 at 4:00 am

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On their last album, 2009's Living Thing, whistling Swedes Peter Bjorn and John shed their peppy pop and headed in an electronic direction, scattering various blips and beeps across still kinda-poppy songs for a dense and multilayered record. They've stripped to the basics for their sixth outing, Gimme Some, their loosest album since the breakthrough hit "Young Folks" four years ago. Nervous guitars and frisky vocals fuel Gimme Some, from the playful "Tomorrow Has to Wait" to the jittery "Second Chance." Two songs even scurry by in a minute and a half. Punk, barroom rock, and '80s new-wave creep into the grooves, but it's definitely a pop album. What did you expect? They're from Sweden.— Michael Gallucci