Lekman, Jens - Oh You’re So Silent Jens

Chocolate chip cookies are one of the most basic and traditional of all cookie types. Memories of making cookies with mom revolve around the enjoyment captured in every similar tender, chocolatey morsel of goodness. These memories invoke feelings which translate into comfort, safety and love. Ingredients obtained as follows: butter, flour, sugar, salt, eggs, chocolate chips and baking soda. These cookies may be basic in content but they are bursting with richness and taste. Jens Lekman’s Oh You’re So Silent Jens is the chocolate chip cookie of the folk world.

Ingredients obtained as follows: soft-yet-demanding Swedish vocals, acoustic instrumentation, organic beats both developed or sampled. Mix until lumps are gone, then divide into 16 tracks. As familiar as the rain in the Northwest, Lekman presents a safe, calm atmosphere welcoming all to pull up a chair and enjoy.

The first bit of Oh You’re So Silent Jens sets the tone for the whole album. Soft, warm, yet densely layered chords tickle the ear with familiarity. The album continues on with additional layers and mild organic samplings. The quality of songwriting sets an almost impossible bar to pass, that is, until track four begins its subtle build. Starting with two fingers snapping, then a melodic piano that sets the key for the bass, guitar and distanced vocals that follow. This song will not only “set your heart on fire” but it will engulf your concept of simple folk music. When the flutes start to dance into the song, turn up the bass and let this song consume you.

Not only does this album possess impressively eatable musical layers but it also has a heaping handful of clever lyrical choices. In the mildly hip-hop inspired song, “Rocky Dennis Farewell Song,” Lekman creates a picture with his lyrics: “someday I’ll be stuffed in some museum/scaring little kids/with the inscription carpe diem/ something I never did.” Like its cookie counterpart, it is so simple yet full of flavor. One of my own personal favorite lyrical choices appears on “A Sweet Summer’s Night on Hammer Hill.” This song opens with handclaps, followed by a clever sampling of an oldies tune. The beautiful lyrical touch happens with his reference to Warren G and his album Regulate. What can I say; I am a sucker for a good solid gangstra rap reference.

Once you pull this album out of the oven and unwrap its exterior to find its warm, gooey interior you will truly understand its magic. Lekman has done well with his minimal pursuit of music, and this record demonstrates the sheer genius involved as he combines miscellaneous singles and b-sides to make a complete album. If you are someone who is in constant pursuit of good music, or want to try a new style of chocolate chip cookie, this album is a must. My only regret is not buying it on vinyl. I know, I am a tool.

Oh You’re So Silent Jens, Jens Lekman: A-

Posted on March 15, 2006 12:00 AM