Oh You're So Silent Jens
by Jens Lekman
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 30
  3. Negative: 4 out of 30

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  1. Gregg
    Jan 1, 2006
    10
    The most important songwriter/musician in years. Jens provides an amazing blend of 60s inspired pop with absolutely genious lyrics and instantly memorable melodies. Horray for Jens!
  2. NickD
    Jan 20, 2006
    9
    The best songs on this album, "Black Cab" and "Pocketful of Money" are two of the best songs of the year. If the radio would stop playing Nickleback and start playing Jens I would start listening again. "Oh you're so silent Jens, maybe I am ... maybe I am."
  3. TomJ
    Jan 26, 2006
    3
    reverb does not make you a good songwriter. please stop wasting my time with yawn-inducing indie pop. and what the hell is with that song with all the people talking in the background?
  4. jackf.
    Jan 2, 2006
    9
    wow.. I never heard of Jens Lekman until a few weeks ago...the echoes of Morrissey, Merritt and Murdoch are a little distracting at first, but his voice is far better and the songs just as good ... Silent was the last disc I heard this year, and easilly the best.......
  5. Tonay
    Jan 6, 2006
    2
    The reviews talk about great songwriting, but I just heard a bunch of tired, blunt lines about needing to get laid. LIARS!
  6. StevenL
    Feb 21, 2006
    8
    A very good listen.
  7. VictorM
    Feb 4, 2006
    10
    this is the best new album ive heard in a while. Lyrics are quirky, funny and thoughtful. If you listen to mainstream junk like Coldplay and the like, run away. this will not be for you. Jens is quite genuine. its a shame more people cant enjoy him.
  8. [Anonymous]
    Feb 8, 2006
    9
    I love this album and have ever since I hear it for the first time a few weeks ago. I respect everyone's opinion about this album, however, just because this album does not fit the cookie cutter mold of music most of you seem to be exposed to, does not mean it is not inventive or intuitive songwriting. And if any of you want to call yourself avid indie music listeners, then hopefully I love this album and have ever since I hear it for the first time a few weeks ago. I respect everyone's opinion about this album, however, just because this album does not fit the cookie cutter mold of music most of you seem to be exposed to, does not mean it is not inventive or intuitive songwriting. And if any of you want to call yourself avid indie music listeners, then hopefully by now you are accustom to an artist's choice to using random background noise clips.… Expand
  9. AndrewM
    Jan 4, 2007
    10
    love it
  10. markm
    Jan 18, 2006
    9
    wonderful compilation of his early EP's and other songs/versions...
  11. jm
    Jan 20, 2006
    9
    Excellent disc. If you want the Strokes, go buy their record. If you want a singer-songwriter in the true sense, with a bunch of odd and varied instruments thrown in, purchase this record. Jens sings (seemingly) from the heart, his melodies delicate and his lyrics poignant. Don't hate, just love.
  12. matta
    Jan 5, 2006
    9
    A very special record and one of the ten best of the year. As good as this is, I can't help but think that his next record, or one down the road, is going to be much better. This guy is capable of a masterpiece and I just hope that he gets it out.
  13. VascoC
    Jan 9, 2006
    10
    Excellent!!
  14. AndrewR
    Feb 15, 2006
    9
    I bought it for the Stephin Merritt comparisons, and stuck around for Jens' own unique vision. The man's songs might be quaint, but they are their own, and they are superb. "Black Cab" is lovely and making its way to a mix tape near you.
  15. kent
    Feb 16, 2006
    5
    The humor is so intermittent, and delivered at such strange angles, that one soon stops caring about the sad clown whence it issues. Potential sincerity is rendered suspect by a point of view that isn't so much a delicate balance between gentle irony and modern malaise as it is uncommitted middle class musings -- a hedged bet with no compelling stakes. He ho-hums about his status as The humor is so intermittent, and delivered at such strange angles, that one soon stops caring about the sad clown whence it issues. Potential sincerity is rendered suspect by a point of view that isn't so much a delicate balance between gentle irony and modern malaise as it is uncommitted middle class musings -- a hedged bet with no compelling stakes. He ho-hums about his status as a persona non grata amongst even his friends, yet revels in the sympathetic self-characterization and detached omniscience such exile affords. This may be heart-felt, but it never really transcends its own sodden chambers. Indeed, at the level of production, it sounds as though someone may have spilt a beer all over the master tapes. I would imagine his next album will be a lot tighter, brighter and . . . better.… Expand
  16. DanielP
    Dec 11, 2005
    8
    This is a really enjoyable and intriguing album- a mix of samples and crooning, that thanks to witty and modern lyrics sound really fresh.
  17. TomasS
    Dec 14, 2005
    10
    This guy is a genius. You wouldn't believe that all the incredible music he makes, is actually DIY home-made stuff.
  18. bartv
    Dec 24, 2005
    9
    Pure pop perfection. In a time when most so-called popstars have no personality and charisma whatsoever, Jens shows them how it should be done. I would have given him a 10, but I'm sure he's got even better songs in him ... Jens makes one still believe in the magic of POPmusic !
  19. Sara
    Nov 10, 2006
    10
    I love him, his lyrics are perfect in everyway, almost
  20. RichardR
    Jan 12, 2006
    3
    My niece gave me this for Christmas, and I really tried/wanted to like it, but... What can I say about that girl? She doesn't like the Strokes or Coldplay, but I sure do! I think I'm gonna ask her to get me a gift certificate next year. This poor guy reminded me of the Talking Heads a little bit at first, but the more tracks I listened to, the more I loathed this record. And My niece gave me this for Christmas, and I really tried/wanted to like it, but... What can I say about that girl? She doesn't like the Strokes or Coldplay, but I sure do! I think I'm gonna ask her to get me a gift certificate next year. This poor guy reminded me of the Talking Heads a little bit at first, but the more tracks I listened to, the more I loathed this record. And someone should clue him in to the fact that only real uneducated dorks use the phrase "Pardon my French." Puh-leeze! I know, I know, it's supposed to be funny, but it isn't, at least not in this country. (Talking Heads, by the way, were a GREAT band, one of the best ever. Saw 'em three times...)… Expand
  21. TonyS
    Feb 16, 2006
    1
    A lot of people are going to read good reviews of this guy and buy an album they will not like. It's pretty obnoxious when it isn't boring.
  22. daxr
    Dec 12, 2005
    9
    this is really excellent. jens' voice is really great and the lyrics have a nice wit to them, but it's really just about the songs. he writes a great melody and then makes you feel it.
  23. pylert
    Dec 13, 2005
    10
    This is a ridiculously good collection of songs. This release makes the slow and painful death of "the album" easier to bear.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. AllMusic
    90
    If you haven't heard Jens Lekman yet, you're missing out on one of the true pop geniuses of the early 2000s.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    91
    [He] peppers his dour dedications with a deadpan, Morrissey-esque wit. [9 Dec 2005, p.89]
  3. No Ripcord
    40
    Slogging through the whole disc for the few shining moments just isn’t worth it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »