Words for Living

Artist: P.J. Olsson
Label: Sony
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 074646884621
EAN: 0074646884621
ASIN: B00004TTD8

Release Date: 2000-06-13

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Listmania:

Music to calm your free spirit
Best Of 2000

Tracks:

Good Dream
Dandelion
Through Rock Songs
Visine
Ready For A Fall
People
Thorazine
Whisper In Time
Pray I Don't Die
I Am The Sun
Beautiful Woman
Cool Effects

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Customer Reviews:

Underrated gem.......2006-01-05

I don't remember how I came across PJ, but wherever/whoever it was recommended it if you're into Beck.

To be sure, there are some Beck similarities, but PJ also has his own voice and sound, and is in no way a Beck clone. Some of the songs are quite soulful. As an example, recently, I had the ipod on "shuffle play", and had to do a double take on the menu display, as at first, I mistook "People" for a Chocolate Genius song.

There are a couple of throwaways here, but most of the record is mildly psychedelic, quite catchy, and very listenable over time.

Might Have Sounded Better In an Unplugged Version.......2002-01-12

I've been listening to this disk about once a day this month for some reason.

Musically it's uptempo and hovers somewhere between catchy and annoying. The Beck influence looms large, productionwise. The songwriting is decent, not particularly accomplished but the appealing personality of the performer comes through, making the album sort of charming, albeit in a modern sort of Hollywood-decadent way.

The instrumentation is gimicky and distracting. The songs are written for a dude and an acoustic guitar and then jazzed up with various studio stuff: clap tracks, strings, piano, sitar, backwards-spinning drum track, semi-distracting samples etc.

Thematically it tends toward jaded-though-hopeful love songs. The sexual imagery and orientation proclaimed here and there in the lyrics (so matter-of-factly!) is perhaps the most modern thing about this work. I found that aspect inspirational/challenging. A few of the lyrics have a twist or irony to them and make you laugh when you realize what he's actually saying. I liked the lyrics of sideburn-agenda, park benches, God speaks your name to me through rock songs (!), and also the dream about Josef Stalin.

Words For Living is good, competent, sometimes charming, possibly offensive singer-songwriter stuff that will either connect with you or not. I put it down for a few months, a bit disappointed in the purchase, but, having come back to it now, find it kind of catchy. Several songs on it will sound great on any mix tape you make, especially Good Dream, I Am the Sun, and Visine.

A Must Listen For Any Music Fan.......2001-10-16

I first heard of PJ through my newspaper saying he'd be on Letterman (local boy makes good) one night. I watched it, of course, and was very impressed but I never got around to buying the CD. Then, a week ago I was trying to figure out what music to buy so I figured I'd give a fellow Yooper a try. I was very impressed. These songs are all deeply layered and intriguing, and I'd recommend this CD to anyone who really appreciates pop-music by it's actual definition, not by the Britney-Christina-Backstreet definition. I'd also recommend this CD to Beck fans, especially those who think Odelay is his greatest album.

post millenium geek pop.......2000-10-31

Critics are calling PJ's blend of pop rock post millenium, pushing rock n roll in new directions which is true. His mix of standard guitar, bass and drums overlapped with electronic sequencing fails, however, at truely engaging the listener with any emotion. In addition, its very difficult to get over PJ's geeky vocal delivery and his lyrics leave much to be desired. Peace, love and understanding is a noble pursuit however PJ's music does nothing to keep the listener wanting to hear more. Rather it provides a bouncy, upbeat soundtrack that annoys rather than intrigues. Noble effort, better luck next time.

I heard him 6 years ago.......2000-07-07

Just saw PJ and his band perform at Bimbo's in SF 7/6, and they were awesome. Even with a sparce crowd of industry type people, by the end of the gig everyone was on their feet. I met PJ 6 years ago through a friend of his and have followed his work. He is not only an amazing singer but is also the creative force behind the music. His musical ability is at genious level. He is a rising star of the next century and will define a new an awesome genre in a space that is begging for fresh talent. GO PJ!

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A Mi Madre Dulce ~ Los Troqueros

Navidad Boricua ~ Eduardo Zurita

Words for Living ~ P.J. Olsson

Beyond the Invisible [#2] ~ Enigma

At the Village Vanguard V.2 ~ Great Jazz Trio

Evolucion ~ Aterciopelados

El Jardinero: 14 Corridazos Para el Pueblo ~ Los Originales de San Juan

Merenhits 2000 ~ Various Artists

Coleccion de Oro ~ Lucho Gatica