Tangents & The Times

The Jam: Jenny Lewis’ Acid Tongue

Take a brilliant mind covered in red locks and empty its contents. Add angelic, truth oozing vocals and smart words. Strain the century for the best musical styles. Mix with focus and Laurel Canyon parties. Stir in the simplicity found in the intricacies of life and squeeze out some genius to top it off. Wrap it up in cuteness.

Tastes a lot like: Jezebel Jam- it sounds like it’d be shameful but it’s just sweet and delicious with a slight bite of tart to keep you coming back for more.

Jenny Lewis is back with her second solo album, Acid Tongue, and proves again she is one of the most prolific and talented female songwriters of our time. Between her single-handed stints and her Rilo Kiley tours, she has released seven albums. SEVEN. Holy hell, she ain’t playin’. She is out to conquer indie-rock-folk and to be quite frank, I think she will.

Acid Tongue isn’t quite like Rabbit Fur Coat but it is absolutely captivating and definitely an amazing sophomore album. I couldn’t tell you which I prefer; one is smooth and dreamlike while the other is still sweet but with a whole lot of zing. I do have to say the variety of musical stylings featured on Acid Tongue are astounding. From knee-slapping country crooning to psychedelic guitar riffs to ragtime-esque piano plunkings, the album takes you all over the place. One might suspect such an eclectic collection of sounds to come off messy but it’s entirely cohesive, brought together by Lewis’ personality infused feminine vocals. Another amazing aspect of the album is the repertoire of more than respectable guest artists. Both sides of She & Him, M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, add a helping hand as well as Elvis Costello, fellow Rilo Kiley vet Jason Boesel, Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes as well as her BF, Jonathan Rice. Jonathan also helped produce it alongside Rilo Kiley producer Jason Lader and Farmer Dave Scher. And her lyrics… oh, sheesh, forget about it. They are well crafted with an innate intelligence and beauty. They remind me of a pearl necklace (an actual pearl necklace you sick fucks- go watch pterodactyl porn)- the perfect words strung together so majestically to compliment the structure of her sound. She never comes off whiny or cheesy or anything except absolutely honest and raw and poetically poised. I personally love the title track, as she chastises herself for being a liar and sounds like a god damned angel. Oy vei, if only my confessions sounded so lovely.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I really don’t like many female singer/songwriters. For the most part I just can’t get into it- whether it is the subject matter or their voices, it just doesn’t fly with me. But Jenny Lewis is the quintessential female musician. She is strong yet graceful, showcasing her ideas and talents with a feminine force that demands respect and draws out the utmost of adoration.

Jenny Lewis is a dreamboat of musical genius.
End of story.
& I’ve been in her company: she is the sweetest thing this side of the candy isle.

Catch her on tour with Conor & the Mystic Valley Band or with Michael Runion or another Riloer, Pierre De Reeder, all this month.