Drew Barrymore is kind of adorable. Jens Lekman? Also kind of adorable. So we thought maybe they already knew each other from some Secret Adorable People Club we weren’t invited too, but at least we now know for a fact they can hug and the universe doesn’t like explode into kittens playing with dangling objects or anything.

Drew is directing the upcoming indie-buzz film Whip It that takes on roller derby culture, and apparently wanted a few of Jens’ songs in the film so bad she flew him out to L.A. to talk about music and monkeys over coffee. Don’t believe us? Hear it from the man himself on his blog.

As you can read, Jens notes the soundtrack is being compiled by Randall Poster, who also does Wes Anderson’s soundtracks.

Here’s the full track listing.

01 “Pot Kettle Black” – Tilly and the Wall
02 “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” – The Ramones
03 “What’s the Attitude” – Cut Chemist, Hymnal
04 “Bang On” – The Breeders
05 “Dead Sound” – The Raveonettes
06 “Blue Turning Grey” – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
07 “Your Arms Around Me” – Jens Lekman
08 “Learnalilgivinanlovin” – Gotye
09 “Boys Wanna Be Her” – Peaches
10 “Jolene” – Dolly Parton
11 “Caught Up in You” – .38 Special
12 “Never My Love” – Adam Green, Har Mar Superstar
13 “Black Gloves” – Goose
14 “Crown of Age” – The Ettes
15 “High Times” – Landon Pigg, Turbo Fruits
16 “Unattainable” – Little Joy
17 “Lollipop [Squeak E. Clean & Desert Eagles Remix]” – The Chordettes
18 “Doing It Right” – The Go! Team
19 “Breeze” – Apollo Sunshine

(Via: Stereogum via Jen’s Blog)

In what’s got to be one of the year’s scarier indie rock stories, Jens Lekman contracted the H1N1 virus, bka “swine flu.” while abroad in Chile recently. The baroque pop perfectionist broke the news via his blog in as casual and charming a way as you might expect from the guy.

“I picked home one last souvenir from South America, it’s called the H1N1 virus. Wrongfully known as the Swineflue.

“I was crossing the Atlantic when things started getting really bad, the fever was hallucinogenic and
shaking me like a leaf and I grabbed the sleeve of the Air France steward. ‘I’m not feeling well, I should see a doctor’ I said and the reply came as a brilliant mix of death anxiety and french rudeness: ‘Uh, yes… Terminal D… go there maybe… when we land’. After that the stewards and stewardesses took long detours. A ring of empty seats formed around me. Peoples eyes were kind but determined, they read ‘Poor you, I really wish you all the best but if you come near me or my kid I will have to stab you with this plastic fork’. I got up and went to the bathroom where I fainted.

Now I’m in quarantine for ten days. I can see the summer through my window and it’s just perfect. Summer is always best through a window.

Get well soon, Jens. (via P4k)

Dent May and his Magnificent Ukulele is quite a delicious listen, he plays tuneful ukulele-drenched retro pop that will definitely be appealing to any fans of Jens Lekman, Beirut or Sufjan Stevens. His music is a melting pot of influences mainly from the 50s drawing from vintage doo-wop, Tropicália, and a classic American crooner sensibility that is reminiscent of Glenn Campbell.

The Feel Good Music of Dent May is a perfect name for the album. Every song has a sunny ukulele composition and simple yet endearing lyrics that, when augmented by a band, produces a wonderfully laid back vibe. What better way to kick off such an accessible album than a song called “Welcome”? An acapella number where Dent May introduces you to his album and it’s themes, it’s a warm welcome that flows perfectly in to “Meet Me At The Garden” — which is one of the strongest and most charming songs on the record with it’s maracas, ukulele and marimba vibe. “Oh Paris” has Dent adding some horns to the mix, creating a quirky marching band quality that when incorporated with the ukulele and background shooby doobies, generates an appealing backdrop for his thoughtful croon of “I finally know/ That I belong here in this world.” In the bluesy, doo-wop number “Girls On The Square”, dual electric guitars solo together in Queen-like fashion that oddly meshes quite well with the melodramatic vocals of the song. “God Loves You Michael Chang” and “I’m An Alcoholic” are humorous songs that shows Dent’s funny-side and his ability to weave them into his delivery in a thoughtful manner.

Admittedly, the use of the ukulele does get a little repetitive by the end of the album, but the charming quality of Dent May’s composition holds my interest through the full CD. He definitely has a unique style that is as quirky as a Wes Anderson film. For those of you looking for a little feel good music to cheer you up, Dent May has revitalized the classic American crooner for the 21st century and given it a geeky hipster edge that makes this an extremely delightful listen.

Paw Tracks