Before Lykke Li swooped in to steal our undeserving hearts, we were all plenty busy being smitten with fellow Swedish import Jens Lekman, who sang about psychologically unstable women, his friend Lisas birthday, a tram that goes all the way to heaven, and well, wanting to be your dog. Comparisons to Jonathan Richman and Belle & Sebastian rightfully abounded, and Lekman followed up the gorgeous When I Said I Wanted To Be Your Dog with the winning singles collection Oh Youre So Silent Jens and the more ambitious crossover success Night Falls Over Kortedala. Just as Lykke Li fuses pop, folk, and electronics until we no longer notice the overlap, Lekman enlists crackling samples in a way thats just as wistfully romantic as the angelic strings, coy-boy singing, and poised, yet stinging lyrics that populate his records. According to one song, hell hold your hair while you vomit, help brush your teeth, and even kiss your stomach afterwards. A total keeper, then. With Tig Notaro.
Thu., June 4, 8 p.m.; Fri., June 5, 8 p.m., 2009
