I bought the new Jens Lekman last week and think it is great. Anyone agree?

You have possibly the most pompous username out there.

It's my no. 3 of the year. For sure.

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Originally posted by besttasteinmusicever:
I bought the new Jens Lekman last week and think it is great. Anyone agree?

I agree, Night Falls Over Kortedala is a great album. Not a weak track here. I particularly like " Shirin", "Into Eternity", "A Postcard to Nina" and "And I Remember Every Kiss".

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I agree, Night Falls Over Kortedala is a great album. Not a weak track here. I particularly like " Shirin", "Into Eternity", "A Postcard to Nina" and "And I Remember Every Kiss".

All great ones. Also love The Opposite of Hallelujah.

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You have possibly the most pompous username out there.

Possibly?

It's top ten material without a doubt. The only one that's a bit of a clunker is "It Was a Strange Time in My Life" - not because of any problem with the lyrics, I just don't like the kid singing.

Starting to really like "Your arms around me" as well. I like this album so much that it has an outside chance at number 1. I never would have thought that when I bought it.

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It's top ten material without a doubt. The only one that's a bit of a clunker is "It Was a Strange Time in My Life" - not because of any problem with the lyrics, I just don't like the kid singing.

The kid singing is a sample of Jens himself, I believe.

I found the album quite difficult to get into but am gradually starting to love its poppy tones. Still prefer 'Oh You're so Silent Jens' which would rate in my top ten of the decade thus far.

By the way...he pronounces his first name differently on Postcard to Nina (with a 'Y') as opposed to to Black Cab where it's pronounced with a 'J'. Does anyone (other than the man himself) know which is correct?

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Originally posted by tomrainbow:
By the way...he pronounces his first name differently on Postcard to Nina (with a 'Y') as opposed to to Black Cab where it's pronounced with a 'J'. Does anyone (other than the man himself) know which is correct?

I noticed that too. I'd guess the one in "A Postcard To Nina" is correct, it just sounds more Swedish to me.

But yeah, great album. "The Opposite of Hallelujah" made my best songs list. "And I Remember Every Kiss" and "A Postcard To Nina" are great too.

I absolutely adore 'Sipping On The Sweet Nectar', it sounds like the kind of thing that would soundtrack a young couple frolicking outside in a cheesy christmas movie.

Also I can't help dancing about like an idiot.

Let me preface this by saying that I've really enjoyed everything I've heard by Jens Lekman up till now. "Black Cab" will certainly be in my top 10 songs of the decade when it's all said and done. Night Falls Over Kortedala, however, is slightly annoying. I can't make it through the first two songs without skipping ahead. The strings are OVER the top and I could do without the faux disco beats (and I like disco!). "The Opposite of Hallelujah" is a FANTASTIC song, but the rest of this just has me shaking my head.

I'm not with you on the Kortedala thing, Jack, but you're so right about Black Cab. I just rediscovered "Oh You're So Silent Jens" recently and Black Cab has to be the best song on there. "Rocky Dennis's Farewell Song" is great as well.

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Originally posted by Chamberk:
I'm not with you on the Kortedala thing, Jack.

I wish I had more time to listen to it, I noticed some people call this a 'grower'. I will eventually get back to it, but it won't stand a chance to make my top 50.

I love how he says his name!

Yours Truly,

Jens Lekman

Sounds like: Yenz Lake-Mon

I have always heard it, and thought it, pronounced "Yenz".

I love "Oh, You're So Silent..." but I want to puke evry time I listen to Kortedala. It is so over the top and mushy that I just can't get over it. It seems like a parody.

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Originally posted by JGlass:
I love "Oh, You're So Silent..." but I want to puke evry time I listen to Kortedala. It is so over the top and mushy that I just can't get over it. It seems like a parody.

I knew I wasn't crazy

On the contrary, YENZ makes me want to do backflips all across my marshmallow clouds and take shots of maple syrup and jump rope with dancing penguins whenever I listen to Kortedala. Not your cup of HPNOTIQ™ tea?

I have to admit, I love the syrupy-sweet stuff as well. "And I Remember Every Kiss" just makes me want to live in some ridiculously romantic movie.

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Originally posted by Chamberk:
I have to admit, I love the syrupy-sweet stuff as well.

I guess my problem with it is that Jens' stuff is already pretty fragile and twee. This album really puts an unnecessary gloss on that, and instead of charming it seems icky (I find it amusing that you both used "syrup" metaphors-- that's some icky-sticky stuff!). Not to say his songs wouldn't benefit from the right kind of heavy-handed production. I think Iron & Wine's new album is a good example of how to get a big production sound without losing the intimacy of a lo-fi recording. As I said, I won't give up on this album, but I doubt I'll come around.

I’m in the same boat as you MJ, a boat that seems to be going nowhere. I have really given this album plenty of chances but it just hasn’t done anything for me. Like Jackson and you noted, it’s too mushy, over the top and wimpy-sounding. I mentioned this to another member here when I said that this is like a perfect “chick album” (no offense to the dudes here that like it.)

When I first heard it, I also couldn’t get past the first two or three songs without turning it off and wanting to shoot myself in the head. The strings and synthesized beats are just too much for me—and I usually love anything with strings! Plus, his voice is grating to these ears, its low, almost monotone, Morrissey-wannabe growl is really annoying.

Either way, if you like it, fine. I will not give up on it just yet but I also don’t see it coming around.