Non-Controversial Non-Controversy Of The Week: Peter, Bjorn & John’s “Whistlegate”

Anyone who’s perused the music blogs in the last two weeks is well aware that Peter, Bjorn & John–the Swedish trio whose fantastic Writer’s Block is finally being released stateside–is in New York City this week for a multi-venue concert run. And while the sold-out shows have been enthusiastically received by many fans, there have been rumblings that the band blew it every time they performed the whistle-led single “Young Folks.” Or rather, they didn’t blow it. Some comment excerpts from a BrooklynVegan.com message board regarding Tuesday night’s Bowery Ballroom show:

I SAW THEM AT THE MERCURY LOUNGE AND THEY WERE HORRID. THEY WERE FUCKING LIP SYNCHING THE WHISTLE ON YOUNG FOLKS. THIS BAND REALLY SUCKED SO SO MUCH. I HATE THEM. I WISH I COULD BEAT THEIR HEADS IN. THEY SHOULD WRITE CAR ADS…

…wasn’t it kind of a letdown to see that he was lip-synching the whistle parts?..

…Sad to realize the whistling is canned…

Gorilla vs. Bear has a clip of the group’s Conan appearance, which also drew some lip-smacking criticism; clearly, this is just the sort of important, generation-defining debate that will shape the indie-rock community for weeks–if not years–to come. Our verdict: Getting up on stage and whistling in front a few hundred strangers is no easy task. But if Axl can do it, shouldn’t we all at least give it a try?