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Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
Few artists today are as prolific as Jenny Lewis. Even fewer couple that rampant productivity with a quality barometer so unquestionably high. In this instance Jenny Lewis cuts a pretty lonely figure. Having recently wrapped up touring commitments with Rilo Kiley - some 18 months after the release of 'Under The Blacklight' - Lewis has instantly returned to her solo work and set about building on the positive reputation she harnessed so well through the release of her debut solo LP 'Rabbit Fur Coat' in 2006. 'Acid Tongue' is the result and it's a deliciously brilliant record.
Lewis' passion for the work of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton is well documented, but rarely before have we been privy to quite how influenced Lewis has been by these deities of American country music. On 'Acid Tongue' she hammers her colours firmly to the mast and as a result has put together one of America's great country-rock albums of this decade.
With a voice that's warm and lilting she wanders through the country-rock playground drawing inspiration for songs that range from upbeat bar-brawl hoedowns through to gentile moments of gospel-tinged Americana. With a supporting cast list that ranges from Elvis Costello (who duets on 'Carpetbaggers') right through to Zooey Deschnael (She & Him) she manages to add depth and balance to the album; the opposite was an accusation that was regularly levelled at its predecessor.
One of the many attractions of this record is also Lewis' astounding ability to write acerbic and jagged narrative and couple them so seamlessly with a pop vitality that drips from every second of this album. From the sprightly opening 'Black Sand' right through to the drawn-out piano ballad 'Sing A Song For Them' that closes the album Lewis sings with a passion and thought that is rarely seen amongst her peers. It's enlivening and has you returning time and time again to the volume control as you decipher one glorious barbed vocal nugget after another.
'Acid Tongue' is without doubt the high point of Jenny Lewis' song-writing career. A record that begs to be played on rotation it will sit high at the end of year polls this year and pegs Lewis as America's most outstanding musical talent. She should be cherished.
Louise Lake
www.jennylewis.com
Lewis' passion for the work of Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton is well documented, but rarely before have we been privy to quite how influenced Lewis has been by these deities of American country music. On 'Acid Tongue' she hammers her colours firmly to the mast and as a result has put together one of America's great country-rock albums of this decade.
With a voice that's warm and lilting she wanders through the country-rock playground drawing inspiration for songs that range from upbeat bar-brawl hoedowns through to gentile moments of gospel-tinged Americana. With a supporting cast list that ranges from Elvis Costello (who duets on 'Carpetbaggers') right through to Zooey Deschnael (She & Him) she manages to add depth and balance to the album; the opposite was an accusation that was regularly levelled at its predecessor.
One of the many attractions of this record is also Lewis' astounding ability to write acerbic and jagged narrative and couple them so seamlessly with a pop vitality that drips from every second of this album. From the sprightly opening 'Black Sand' right through to the drawn-out piano ballad 'Sing A Song For Them' that closes the album Lewis sings with a passion and thought that is rarely seen amongst her peers. It's enlivening and has you returning time and time again to the volume control as you decipher one glorious barbed vocal nugget after another.
'Acid Tongue' is without doubt the high point of Jenny Lewis' song-writing career. A record that begs to be played on rotation it will sit high at the end of year polls this year and pegs Lewis as America's most outstanding musical talent. She should be cherished.
Louise Lake
www.jennylewis.com
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