Jens Lekman

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Very few things in the world are worse, but I guess maybe genocide.

polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 5 August 2005 11:41 (eighteen years ago) link

worse? than being my friend? gee, thanks!

dahlin (dahlin), Friday, 5 August 2005 11:46 (eighteen years ago) link

You've never picked me up from the airport even once.

polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 5 August 2005 11:48 (eighteen years ago) link

true. but i'll call you a cab any day

dahlin (dahlin), Friday, 5 August 2005 11:52 (eighteen years ago) link

A Black Cab?

kornrulez6969 (TCBeing), Friday, 5 August 2005 12:40 (eighteen years ago) link

you know where i'm going here...
nice

dahlin (dahlin), Friday, 5 August 2005 12:44 (eighteen years ago) link

He does a guest spot on a re-recording of one of New Buffalo's track (on her latest EP).

His show here earlier in the year was a highlight.

Mil (Mil), Friday, 5 August 2005 22:12 (eighteen years ago) link

more like a death cab. he sucks.

ihope (ihope), Friday, 5 August 2005 23:11 (eighteen years ago) link

one month passes...
His production is top.

lifloak, Friday, 23 September 2005 10:41 (eighteen years ago) link

Maybe I will go to see him play in NYC or Boston.

youn, Friday, 23 September 2005 11:03 (eighteen years ago) link

his voice is better than his songs

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 11:05 (eighteen years ago) link

I'm listening to "Do Impossible Things" from his site on secretly canadian, and it's pretty good, but I agree his songs can be hit or miss. He sometimes sounds like Scott Walker.

youn, Friday, 23 September 2005 11:14 (eighteen years ago) link

I was laughing while listening to 'You Are The Light" this morning on the way to work. I love his records.

marianna (mariannapm), Friday, 23 September 2005 12:14 (eighteen years ago) link

"you are the light" is awful

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 12:17 (eighteen years ago) link

Coming from someone who only seems to make negative comments on ILX in recent months, why doesn't that surprise me?

marianna (mariannapm), Friday, 23 September 2005 13:41 (eighteen years ago) link

"You Are the Light" is good. Jens is good. My only misgiving about him is that so far he never seems to live up to his influences (Walker, yeah, but more specifically Magnetic Fields) and falls somewhere between Fan Modine and Her Space Holiday in my hierarchy of Merritt-alikes. Prove me wrong, Lekman.

marc h. (marc h.), Friday, 23 September 2005 16:06 (eighteen years ago) link

well, maybe above Fan Modine, too.

marc h. (marc h.), Friday, 23 September 2005 16:12 (eighteen years ago) link

I don't only make negative comments : (

the david berman poem that the title and verse come from is good

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 16:12 (eighteen years ago) link

I wish more of his songs were like "You Are the Light". He's no St. Thomas, howev. That guy is my favourite Scandinavian. Except Tuomas.

Huk-L (Huk-L), Friday, 23 September 2005 16:50 (eighteen years ago) link

I didn't know tuomas was scandinavian

"yoo-eh, ah go-ut boo-ested" is what makes "you are the light" awful, otherwise it's just a bit boring

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 16:56 (eighteen years ago) link

when does he say that?!

ken taylrr has gone off the internet because of you (ken taylrr), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:12 (eighteen years ago) link

Is Finland not Scandinavian? (I am wholly ignorant of European Geography)

Huk-L (Huk-L), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:14 (eighteen years ago) link

I think of scandinavia as sweden-norway-denmark

finland and iceland and stuff are nordic but not scandinavian, maybe

finnish people may disagree, if they like

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:20 (eighteen years ago) link

I used to know a Finnish guy who described himself as "from Scandinavia", but maybe he was just simplifying for the dumb American.

polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:26 (eighteen years ago) link

"you are the light" is the only Jens Lenkman song worth listening to, and its shelf life is like 10 listens.

polyphonic (polyphonic), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:27 (eighteen years ago) link

Try to get hold of the Rocky Dennis (his pseudonym for a while before he got well known) version of the Maple Leaves ep - better versions on there plus a great song that samples Beat Happening not on the Jens version. It's a rare single but I think it's getting reissued on a comp soon.

Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Friday, 23 September 2005 17:46 (eighteen years ago) link

scandanavia = iceland norway sweden finland denmark.
sweden and norway and denmark share a lot of language, whereas iceland is more isolated in its language/culture, and finland is totally crazy awesome in language. at least that's what i've come to understand from reading the economist.

carly (carly), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:11 (eighteen years ago) link

I read the economist

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:14 (eighteen years ago) link

i know, it's good, right?
i bought my dad a subscription for christmas/hanukkah last year when i was a wealthier and better daughter.

carly (carly), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:18 (eighteen years ago) link

it's quite expensive

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:44 (eighteen years ago) link

how did you know I read the economist?

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:45 (eighteen years ago) link

no, i didn't. i was just being enthusiastic about it. i sensed an immediate camaraderie re: the economist.

carly (carly), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:50 (eighteen years ago) link

a few years ago they did a special report on scandanavia, which was awesome, and which i have been milking ever since whenever someone brings it up. i learned that the icelandic word for computer is a word that means female soothsayer, tulva? or something like this, because there's a national aversion to incorporating english/non-icelandic words into the language.

carly (carly), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:53 (eighteen years ago) link

nice but I still think iceland and finland are trying to jump on the bandwagon

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:55 (eighteen years ago) link

Jens was absolutely wonderful at Mono a few weeks back. I totally get the Magnetic Fields reference, but Jens is sweeter, less arch. I think his stripped down one man and his uke thing is more affecting than the busy arrangements of the record. He performed Julie (correct me if I'm wrong) completely unamplified. Unplugged the uke and stepped infront of the mic stand. It was truly special. You'll be able to see it for yourself when the film goes up on the Plan B website...
Dahlin has a brief cameo...

Stew (stew s), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:55 (eighteen years ago) link

yeah, finland's association with scandanavia has been a top-down development, a result of the efforts of statesmen, according to the scandanavian history book i've been trying to read but failing to get through.
(xp)

carly (carly), Friday, 23 September 2005 18:59 (eighteen years ago) link

: )

RJG (RJG), Friday, 23 September 2005 19:02 (eighteen years ago) link

he needs to cut the jokey lyrics, they aren't that funny.

keith m (keithmcl), Saturday, 24 September 2005 11:48 (eighteen years ago) link

ten months pass...
I like "Black Cab."

Curt1s St3ph3ns, Saturday, 12 August 2006 05:25 (seventeen years ago) link

one year passes...

I tried to like Oh You're So Silent Jens a few times over the past year and just couldn't get into it, but then for some reason it came up randomly on my ipod a few weeks ago and I thought it was very nice! in an older magnetic fields kind of way

akm, Tuesday, 1 April 2008 22:54 (sixteen years ago) link

oh you're so silent jens is still my fave, but i like the latest record a lot more than i expected to. postcard to nina may get old but that hasn't happened yet

electricsound, Tuesday, 1 April 2008 23:22 (sixteen years ago) link

'a postcard to nina' is fantastic songwriting, something that sets this kid apart from joe average. it does stand out quite prominently as the best track on the record, but there are other shining moments as well.

Charlie Howard, Wednesday, 2 April 2008 13:50 (sixteen years ago) link

RJG, on scandinavia

the pinefox, Wednesday, 2 April 2008 14:29 (sixteen years ago) link

Saw him last week -- I liked this much more than I expected, not being that familiar with the records. But this sounds not at _all_ like Magnetic Fields (any era) to me. It's much more like post-Modern Lovers Jonathan Richman. Lekman is whimsical and sweet and Magnetic Fields are really not.

Guayaquil (eephus!), Wednesday, 2 April 2008 19:14 (sixteen years ago) link

Gabb, I'm pretty sure someone out there is keeping a full list of Lekman samples. It's funny -- I think a lot of the style of his first records actually has to do with his need to grab parts from 60s productions with heavy stereo separation! The sample of his I notice most (apart from Calvin Johnson) is pretty much down to him noticing that the string part on a Mamas & Papas song was all alone in one channel.

nabisco, Wednesday, 2 April 2008 23:29 (sixteen years ago) link

There's this song I've heard on the radio twice now (in two different stores) that sounds identical to one of his, but I don't know the identity of the song on the radio or the one it sounds like.

gabbneb, Wednesday, 2 April 2008 23:41 (sixteen years ago) link

He uses some of the exact same samples The Avalanches use and they are mutual fans. He's also recorded a track with New Buffalo.

Spencer Chow, Thursday, 3 April 2008 00:09 (sixteen years ago) link

two months pass...

My name is Jens and i´m 20 yrs and living in Sweden. I´m currently study at a university, Gender issues.

current favourite songs: billie ray martin - "your loving arms", the gerbils - "crayon box", throw that beat in the garbagecan! - "a kiss from you", the go-betweens - "people say", lil kim - "suck my dick", television personalities - "favourite films", kicking giant - "fuck the rules" bratmobile - "cool schmool" ´lew kirton - "heaven in the afternoon" sea & cake - "afternoon speaker"

favourite bands: erics trip, jonathan richman/modern lovers, daniel johnston, b&s, tindersticks, skinned teen, field mice & other sarah stuff, lou barlow stuff, noise addict, helen love, teen anthems.

i don´t like: most jazz stuff (that i´ve heard), metal, too cheesy new romantic...well i like most stuff. oasis, stones (except one or two songs) the who, phillysoul, westcoast hiphop, FUNK....

-- Jens, Monday, 5 February 2001 01:00 (7 years ago) Link

The stickman from the hilarious "xkcd" comics, Saturday, 7 June 2008 19:39 (fifteen years ago) link

WHOA

Tape Store, Saturday, 7 June 2008 21:02 (fifteen years ago) link

aw.

a similar stunt failed to work with a cow (Merdeyeux), Monday, 8 April 2013 23:46 (eleven years ago) link

That was so moving. Perfect song choices too. What a guy!

Kitchen Person, Tuesday, 9 April 2013 21:57 (eleven years ago) link

that's awesome. jens seems like a good guy.

tylerw, Tuesday, 9 April 2013 22:02 (eleven years ago) link

That is lovely.

ineloquentwow (Craigo Boingo), Tuesday, 9 April 2013 23:40 (eleven years ago) link

one year passes...
three months pass...

this guy is good

Treeship, Friday, 12 December 2014 03:35 (nine years ago) link

i like the one about thwarted artistic impulses. "i picked up a seashell to illustrate my homelessness / but a crab crawled out making it useless."

Treeship, Friday, 12 December 2014 03:36 (nine years ago) link

That's probably my favourite Jens lyric. Love this guy.

Kitchen Person, Friday, 12 December 2014 09:14 (nine years ago) link

two years pass...

https://www.sounds.nl/detail/3607858/cd/jens_lekman/life_will_see_you_now
http://ew.com/music/2016/12/22/most-anticipated-albums-2017/

news of a new album Life Will See You Now out 17/2 has leaked out it seems

ufo, Friday, 23 December 2016 04:22 (seven years ago) link

That's great news. He's touring in March too.

Kitchen Person, Friday, 23 December 2016 10:56 (seven years ago) link

http://www.jenslekman.com/records/smalltalk.htm

'Hotwire The Ferriswheel' is a duet with Tracy Thorn, and 'How We Met, the Long Version' is Postcard #29

it's nice to see him working with samples again

ufo, Wednesday, 4 January 2017 23:32 (seven years ago) link

one month passes...

the new album is pretty disappointing overall, it's more energetic than I Know What Love Isn't, but the music & lyrics are both quite meandering. the songs on I Know What Love Isn't were generally stronger despite the very bland arrangements

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgSC6Kh0N5s

the first three tracks are the best but probably could have been Kortedala b-sides

ufo, Tuesday, 7 February 2017 17:34 (seven years ago) link

one month passes...

I love this album.

Jeff, Friday, 31 March 2017 16:53 (seven years ago) link

one month passes...

Now the sun is out this album makes more sense than in cold, dank February.

Dan Worsley, Sunday, 14 May 2017 16:31 (six years ago) link

One of my favorites of the year.

the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 14 May 2017 18:02 (six years ago) link

Yeah, this is a wonderful album. I do prefer his previous two, but there's so much to love here. Looking forward to playing it more now the sun is out as Dan says.

kitchen person, Sunday, 14 May 2017 19:03 (six years ago) link

how can i tell him is so devastatingly pretty

meekseeks mill (voodoo chili), Sunday, 14 May 2017 20:26 (six years ago) link

seven months pass...

i found this album a bit disappointing but i am really looking forward to seeing him in march, the venue has a capacity of 50 so it should be very intimate

ufo, Saturday, 16 December 2017 02:10 (six years ago) link

I loved it enough for it to place

morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Saturday, 16 December 2017 02:15 (six years ago) link

the first three tracks are great but then the rest was just ok, which is only disappointing by his very high standards

ufo, Saturday, 16 December 2017 02:20 (six years ago) link

“Evening Prayer” is a beautiful song, conceptually and musically.

treeship 2, Saturday, 16 December 2017 02:41 (six years ago) link

Best album of 2017.

Jeff, Saturday, 16 December 2017 03:54 (six years ago) link

one month passes...

My list of a dozen good 'uns..

morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 28 January 2018 05:34 (six years ago) link

Good #1 pick, that's an all time great song for me.

omar little, Sunday, 28 January 2018 05:37 (six years ago) link

great strings

morning wood truancy (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Sunday, 28 January 2018 05:44 (six years ago) link

Great choices. Your Arms Around Me is the only real omission. Easily my favourite Jens moment.

kitchen person, Sunday, 28 January 2018 06:18 (six years ago) link

Great list. The only ones that I would rate higher than most of these are Sweet Summer's Night on Hammer Hill, which nicks the Martha Reeves Heatwave progression to great effect, and the recent How Can I Tell Him, a gorgeous ballad I listed at #5 in my 2017 singles list

hoooyaaargh it's me satan (voodoo chili), Sunday, 28 January 2018 07:11 (six years ago) link

three months pass...

Anyone been keeping up with the CORRESPONDENCE tracks he's been quietly releasing? Forever Young, Forever Beautiful is really nice.

triggercut, Tuesday, 15 May 2018 11:29 (five years ago) link

Also, I saw him earlier in the year and he covered Do You Believe In Magic? to open his set, and it was wonderful.

triggercut, Tuesday, 15 May 2018 11:33 (five years ago) link

I’d missed the Correspondence tracks so will go and seek them out, thanks!

michaellambert, Tuesday, 15 May 2018 15:36 (five years ago) link

two months pass...

Really loving "Revenge of the Nerds" from CORRESPONDENCE.

purrington, Saturday, 21 July 2018 04:45 (five years ago) link

six months pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgSC6Kh0N5s

this song is so touching

Trϵϵship, Saturday, 16 February 2019 15:29 (five years ago) link

three years pass...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxJb9qeAmL4

a new version of julie

just sayin, Wednesday, 27 April 2022 01:39 (one year ago) link


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