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I saw Jens Lekman twice last week and have yet to talk about it. Both shows were great. Before the show, I learned that his first name was pronounced Yens while trying to figure out how to pronounce his last name.

Anyway, at the Mercury Lounge the show centered on Jens' lyrics and he was able weave in and out of songs and banter because everything he says is bone-dry but funny. Wednesday night, I felt like I got to know Jens Lekman. He also suprised the crowd in the encore with horns bursting in at the chorus of "Julie" from the back of the room. Friday night at the Bowery, was more of the spectacle of Sweden and Jens on a grander scale with horns, piano, drums, and backup singers. His band is composed of all blond Swedish girls and they were wearing matching white dresses. Also that gold keyed accordion was killer. "Postcard to Nina" was my favorite song from Friday, everybody in the band was hitting some essential note in that song. Eddie Argos has met his match in repeated stories about girls, because Jens also told a story about Nina both nights. The girls in the band also pulled the horn trick again but this time from the balcony.



Frida Hyvonen was also good but I liked her set a Mercury better. She was slightly more awkward and aloof there with long pauses and weird stories, which worked in her favor. She likes to eat fruit on stage.

More pics after the jump.