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SONG: "Visine"
FROM THE RELEASE: Words For Living
LABEL: c2/CRG
MEMBERS: P.J. Olsson (vocals, guitar, keys) & guest musicians
PRODUCED BY: John King
ORIGIN: Los Angeles
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: P.J. Olsson has spent the past few years developing a loyal fan base, captivating audiences with his brilliant live performances (he's shared the stage with Beth Orton, Rufus Wainwright, Placebo and others). On "Visine," his crispy acoustic guitar licks and gritty (yet sultry) vocals leave an impression that's not easily forgotten. It's obvious when you hear this track that it's got hit potential; "Visine" is destined to become a multi-format smash. This new recording of "Visine" was produced by the infamous John King of Dust Brothers fame and is available on VA CD #115.

INTERVIEW MAGAZINE - ELTON JOHN's TIP SHEET

"And there is another album, Words For Living (c2/Columbia), which is not commercial in the least, by a guy called P.J. Olsson. He's kind of folkish and he writes very nice songs. He has an unusual, beautiful voice. I don't know if it will sell, but it's an album that I would play." - Elton John

NEW MUSIC MONTHLY MAGAZINE

P.J. OLSSON
Words For Living (c2/Columbia)

For better or worse, this debut by Michigan-born P.J. Olsson may well be a prototype of what we can expect singer/songwriter records to sound like in the coming millennium: high-tech production, unshakeable choruses, and generous helpings of introspective/incomprehensible lyricism that's as old as Blonde On Blonde and fresh as Odelay. Beck is an obvious precursor to Olsson's loops and stream-of-bong imagery ("Seal this note with my juicer / Use the liquid from your womb.") in the rhythmically striking "Visine," while "Thorazine" seethes a la Bush, with cryptic references to "lithium, hell, and hand cream." The singer's hippie-dippy side gets some play on the opening "Good Dream," which features the hard-to-argue with sentiment, "I want the opposite of Adolf Hitler." But Osson's lyrical confusion and musical gloss are far less distinctive than his voice, a pliable instrument that delivers light, breathy raps and soul-falsetto tear-jerking with equal ease. In fact, the album's most satisfying moment comes on "Ready For A Fall" (already product-placed on the "Dawson's Creek" soundtrack), which drops the busy beats and lets Olsson's voice shine through an understated acoustic arrangement. Sure, it's 'well-crafted,' rather that 'innovative,' but it's a cut above average prom-fodder, and several above the strenuously arty moves that make up the bulk of the disc. -- Franklin Bruno

SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

"Star of the future is here, now"