Jens Lekman @ Logan Square Auditorium, 3/31/2008

My second concert in the second city was conveniently located right in my neighborhood.
Jens Lekman is a renowned name in Swedish indie pop - a genre with talent to spare already. He injects quite a bit of humor in his work, but I'm hesitant to peg Jens as a comic artist, because I don't want to suggest his act becomes tiresome quickly like the Flight of the Conchords or Weird Al Yankovic.
Jens writes songs with over-the-top melodic ties to an earlier era and storytelling dripping with sardonic sweetness. It's the most original cliché you'll ever hear.
After announcing he wanted this show to be special (and to refrain from recording it on your digital P&S), he began a magical, short, hour. The crowd had more fun than they'd had all weekend; I hardly remember that I in fact remained standing still.
I can't guarantee the magic will come from the record alone, but if you get a chance, pick up his latest: "Night Falls Over Kortedala" and to hear a taste of his wonderful storytelling, check out his SXSW performance as recorded by NPR's All Songs Considered.

Supporting the show was fellow Swede Mikael Carlsson (as The Honeydrips) and midwest-born Marla Hansen.