We’ll be honest: When we booked Peter for our SXSW party, it was without regard to his solo stuff. We hadn’t heard but a few old demos but that didn’t matter — we’re Peter Bjorn & John fans. This last week’s listening changed that score entirely, though; now Peter’s set is one of our most anticipated. The Last Tycoon is a pretty extraordinary pop record. Just listen to “My Match,” the album’s downcast, devastating centerpiece (sequentially and stylistically). It was on track-repeat here all weekend. The fancy-picking first single “Social Competence,” however, takes similar problem-with-the-ladies subject matter and, via piano and handclaps, spins it into something sort of celebratory. By the time we get to the hook it’s a changed tune. “I don’t want to hear your voice” never sounded so triumphant, and is a half-melody away from Wham!’s “Freedom.” Great stuff.
We love how it bursts into that harmonica-band jam at the end, definitely an unexpected end to the track’s acoustic confessional beginnings. Bottom line: The guy’s a great songwriter.
The Last Tycoon is out 4/8 on Touch & Go.
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Wham!’s “Freedom”?
Don’t you mean George Michael’s “Freedom”? Or was it some old Wham! demo that GM claimed as his own.
wham had a freedom too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xrgg-6-gdkA
It’s a great song, but how can you not mention the obvious John Lennon influence (e.g., the melody, vocal style, harmonica, clapping at the end)? Not that this takes away from the song, but it’s more instructive than saying it reminds you of a Wham song. Wake me up before you..