Peter, Bjorn And John - 'Peter, Bjorn And John' (Witchita) Released 05/03/07

Class Swedish act Peter, Bjorn and John stole into our affections and pockets last year with the fresh sounding release 'Writer's Block', and the classic whistling refrain of 'Young Folks'. Thankfully they didn't simply mushroom overnight. With a retrospective name reminding of 60's folksters Peter, Paul and Mary and tunes that mostly skirt the 50's, 60's and 80's. Peter's voice is like an uncanny cross of early Elvis Costello and John Lennon and the band possess a rich streak of melody, this eponymous release from 2002 catches the band in thrall to their influences with the organ proving a hit.

'I Don't Know What I Want Us To Do' has the early-Squeeze jumpiness with a kicking new-wave tune replete with swirly organ [and 'crappy harpsichord] that harps back to the 80's school disco yet stemmed from a cover of Smokey Robinson's 'I Don't Blame You At All', and 'Matchmaker' has the jolting freneticism of early Elvis Costello, whereas the topnotch 'People They Know' has a 50's shindig feel with a fuzzy organ and throbbing bass that lifts into a celestial groovebox pop organ tune. Just a few bars from the keys of 'Talking and Passing' resurrect memories of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart', and '100m Of Hurdles' has the mono-esque lo-fi appeal with a Byrdsian twist.

Peter's voice gains ground on tracks such as 'A Mutual Misunderstanding' where we're given to contrite understanding with a bar-leaning number and an Elvis Costello-earnestness, whilst 'From Now On' takes a Lennonesque turn with delivery and musings, 'Collect, Select, Reflect' is simply spun and dainty like a George Harrison nugget. 'Education Circle' has the clarity and simplicity of a Rubber Soul number from John and Paul, and 'Firing Blanks' is cut from the Crowded House cloth, whilst 'Don't Be Skew' was born before the band became and features old soul drum loops with a few bars, 'do do doos' and unimaginative organ to form a wacky b-side of a tune. 'Le Cirque' shores up one of the best tunes till last when the party's in the kitchen with the riffs, understated funkiness and an organ with a steel-drum chiminess on a tune that bubbles and bathes. 

This eponymous release captures the essence of a band with more tunes than all the ice cream vans of the world. Whilst not having the enigmatic qualities of 'Writer's Block', this release has an inate charm coupled with an 80's new-wave dressing down and a lo-fi home-recording budget. The influences shine through and the song-writing hasn't the lasting impressions of 'Writer's Block', but this is an album that'd draw new fans to their legions.