Jens Lekman
2006.02.20
I don’t know why I had never listened to Jens Lekman more carefully. It must have been laziness or a dangerous lack of attention. Fortunately, a friend of mine recently said that his last album, Oh You’re So Silent Jens, was a marvelous gem with plenty of cute songs… Then I read somewhere that Jens Lekman proposed free downloads of some of his first EPs on his website… Finally I read a long interview on Pitchforkmedia, thanks to which I suddenly realised that a singer-songwriter who was ready to quit music and to work at a bingo hall must, undoubtedly, be someone great. And believe me, he is. Great.
Jens Lekman played a fantastic concert a couple of days ago close to Paris. This was one of the most fantastic concerts I’ve been to. Even though it was a bit short, one hour, we were quickly transported to Göteborg and convinced that, yes, for sure, “The Avenue” had to be destroyed. Fantastic arrangements, great brass section, funny ukulele (or was it just a small guitar?), touching voice. The Swedish crooner is fun and didn’t hesitate to play a final acoustic song at the bar, with this tiny guitar, some 20 minutes after the show ended, while the ones who had stayed were simply in heaven. Well, that was my case, at last.
I don’t know much about Jens Lekman apart from his music and the Pitchfork interview, but after all, what’s the point? On his label website, they write: “His timeless elegance makes the big, beautiful suburban pop songs sound like they’re already classics. Which they are.” Yes, they are.
Jens was wearing a t-shirt with a big E on it. It related to a single recently released on his swedish label, by The Embassy. Which urged me to listen to their EPs and to the first LP released on Service by The Embassy, Futile Crimes. And it’s much better than the last…
Don’t forget to visit this compulsory fan-website about Jens Lekman, Maple Leaves. That’s where i found those cute words: “I’m not here to save the world, but if I can just save Göteborg, or make two teenagers in a small town in Norway fall in love… then it’s worth it.” Jens Lekman
February 20th, 2006 - 22:40
yeah, jens is phenomenal… especially live. he’s so calm and convincing when he’s on stage…and he has a great sense of humour. simply brings happiness.
if you want to know more about him, just read his “smalltalk” on his homepage. he often writes very personal…almost like a diary.
February 22nd, 2006 - 10:38
yes, he’s the best thing that has ever come from Sweden (just an inch ahead of IKEA;)
if you haven’t already, take a look at my lekman-site: http://www.MapleLeaves.tk
//Simon
February 27th, 2006 - 02:43
doode, jens is the bomb! we’re gonna fly all the way fr malaysia to oz to catch him! wooohooo *manic mode on*