New CD Review!
If the semi-popular men's magazine "Maxim" were taken over for one month by fans of indie bands like Bright Eyes, The Postal Service, and Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis would be the cover girl. And Jessica Alba would get a run for her "cover-status" money. Cause Jenny Lewis is pretty sexy. It's like walking into a comic store and actually seeing a girl. And that girl is gorgeous. And she can sing. And she's smart. And sometimes she likes to be sexy.
Jenny Lewis in the main singer in the indie outfit Rilo Kiley. Their song "Potion For Foxes" was the song played in the opening few minutes of the first episode of "Grey's Anatomy." This past year Rilo Kiley released the best album in their career. And now we have Jenny's second solo cd.
How does it rate? Honestly, it gets off to a slow start. (And by that I mean she has some songs that are slow and reflective and may have to grow on you over several listens. She's not getting the party started right off.) The first song "Black Sand" sounds like a demo. It has a lethargic and repetitive quality. "Pretty Bird," the second song, has a Neko Case feel. Wetting our appetites, I guess. Then we get to "The Next Messiah." Some guitar feedback. And then a nice simple riff. Here's when Jenny kicks in. She obviously has a love for old country music and southern life stories. It kicks in a little here. Skip the next track. Seriously. For many reasons. Can we get to the next song?
And here it is. The song we've been waiting for. "Acid Tongue." Jenny is certainly channeling Bobby Gentry here. (Bobby is know for her song "Ode To Billy Joe.") You can be southern without being country. Take out the redneck and add a little gothic. Lucinda Williams is a master at this. Jenny steps it up in this beautiful song. And then the party really starts with "Hey Fernando." A little "iko iko" cajun riff followed by slide guitar. And there's the indie rock version of a drum solo. And by that I mean, the first INDIE ROCK DRUM SOLO EVER! Not exactly Neil Peart, but hell, it's indy rock! Party time!
Then we get another nice southern tie-in with a song called "Carpetbaggers" which mixes in the old southern con man stereotype with modern relationships. Cute, Jenny. Very cute. She's southern in the way that Dusty Springfield was southern. In that she really wasn't. But both of them tried to bring out the best qualities of the southern towns they loved.. You can sing about what you love or what you hate. Sometimes it's best to do both. And sprinkle in a little sugar with the bitter.
Wait. I'm confused now. Who does Jenny Lewis think would win in a fight? Batman or Wolverine? Oh the hell with it....I'm just begging for her to cover the Jeannie C. Riley song "Harper Valley PTA." (p.s.- Elvis Costello sings on one of Jenny's new songs. As the kids say, "worth the price of admission." )
If the semi-popular men's magazine "Maxim" were taken over for one month by fans of indie bands like Bright Eyes, The Postal Service, and Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis would be the cover girl. And Jessica Alba would get a run for her "cover-status" money. Cause Jenny Lewis is pretty sexy. It's like walking into a comic store and actually seeing a girl. And that girl is gorgeous. And she can sing. And she's smart. And sometimes she likes to be sexy.
Jenny Lewis in the main singer in the indie outfit Rilo Kiley. Their song "Potion For Foxes" was the song played in the opening few minutes of the first episode of "Grey's Anatomy." This past year Rilo Kiley released the best album in their career. And now we have Jenny's second solo cd.
How does it rate? Honestly, it gets off to a slow start. (And by that I mean she has some songs that are slow and reflective and may have to grow on you over several listens. She's not getting the party started right off.) The first song "Black Sand" sounds like a demo. It has a lethargic and repetitive quality. "Pretty Bird," the second song, has a Neko Case feel. Wetting our appetites, I guess. Then we get to "The Next Messiah." Some guitar feedback. And then a nice simple riff. Here's when Jenny kicks in. She obviously has a love for old country music and southern life stories. It kicks in a little here. Skip the next track. Seriously. For many reasons. Can we get to the next song?
And here it is. The song we've been waiting for. "Acid Tongue." Jenny is certainly channeling Bobby Gentry here. (Bobby is know for her song "Ode To Billy Joe.") You can be southern without being country. Take out the redneck and add a little gothic. Lucinda Williams is a master at this. Jenny steps it up in this beautiful song. And then the party really starts with "Hey Fernando." A little "iko iko" cajun riff followed by slide guitar. And there's the indie rock version of a drum solo. And by that I mean, the first INDIE ROCK DRUM SOLO EVER! Not exactly Neil Peart, but hell, it's indy rock! Party time!
Then we get another nice southern tie-in with a song called "Carpetbaggers" which mixes in the old southern con man stereotype with modern relationships. Cute, Jenny. Very cute. She's southern in the way that Dusty Springfield was southern. In that she really wasn't. But both of them tried to bring out the best qualities of the southern towns they loved.. You can sing about what you love or what you hate. Sometimes it's best to do both. And sprinkle in a little sugar with the bitter.
Wait. I'm confused now. Who does Jenny Lewis think would win in a fight? Batman or Wolverine? Oh the hell with it....I'm just begging for her to cover the Jeannie C. Riley song "Harper Valley PTA." (p.s.- Elvis Costello sings on one of Jenny's new songs. As the kids say, "worth the price of admission." )