Jens Lekman Spoils Red Sox Fans

PHOTOS BY JASON BERGMAN

Still swooning over the Red Sox's World Series victory, Beantown music fans welcomed Swedish songster Jens Lekman with open arms last night (Oct. 29) at the Paradise. With his colorful, witty personality, Lekman and his band composed chiefly of ladies, slid onstage collectively clad in white robes, each with a red flower or design on the shoulder. Bursting into a rousing set belted out with an array of instruments ranging from saxophone to strings, the honey-voiced Lekman offered songs from not only the recently released Night Falls Over Kortedala, but also the acclaimed collection Oh, You're So Silent Jens, as well as debut LP When I Said I Wanted to be Your Dog. In response, the enthusiastic audience was energized -- despite the surely exhausting Red Sox celebration -- for Lekman's musical whirlwind of a set, dancing straight through from beginning to end.

Breathing a rare vigor and beauty, Lekman's vocals brought new light to selections like "The Opposite to Hallelujah," which seemed to leap out into the ears and hearts of the entire crowd, which next swallowed whole "Black Cab," an energetic track showcasing rich, orchestral swells. Lekman's frenzied rendition of "Friday Night at the Drive-In Bingo" introduced swingy, '50s pop, practically transporting the audience back in time. Other highlights included "A Postcard to Nina," where the songsmith's quirky theatrics lead him to half speak, half sing the lyrics, and the lonely "Pocketful of Money," which Lekman performed solo to cap the set as the audience willingly filled in the tune's missing finger snaps and harmony gaps. With a characteristic warm smile and heartfelt wave, Lekman finally left the stage, while his fans went home, now reveling in not only Boston's new sports title, but also the musical frosting on the cake.

We asked: Jens dedicated his latest album Night Falls Over Kortedala to his friend Lisa. If you could dedicate an album to someone, who would it be and why?

Name: Jason Sibilia
Age: 19
Occupation: Student at Northeastern U.
Hometown: Washington Township, NJ "My dog Atticus, because if I made an album it would be super happy and he's the most positive being in my life."

Name: Deppy Bader
Age: 20
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Occupation: Student
"My sister. We always have a blast together and it would be a fun album -- a great dance album."

Name: Katie Garcia
Age: 20
Hometown: Miami, FL
Occupation: Student at Boston University
"This is going to sound really cheesy, but my little sister -- she's awesome. She's the coolest 14 year old."

Name: Stuart Perry
Age: 19
Hometown: Lawrence, KS
Occupation: Musician with Patrick Cleandemin
"Right now to Max Roach -- he just recently died and was such a great jazz drummer."

Name: Ida Axelsson
Age: 20
Hometown: Sweden
Occupation: Au Pair
"My ex-boyfriend because he was a really nice guy."

Name: John DiSalvo
Age: 20
Hometown: Marion, MA
Occupation: Student at Boston University
"Brandon Polsik. For being the best gosh darn roommate ever."