Femme fatale Jenny Lewis has never sounded so passionate and her songs never so hard-hitting and acerbic as on her aptly titled solo disk, Acid Tongue. The album follows 2006's Rabbit Fur Coat (which Spin named among the best albums of that year) and a series of acclaimed albums with indie rock fave Rilo Kiley. Featuring collaborations with A Band Called She & Him and guest appearances by Elvis Costello and Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes, Acid Tongue proves to be wicked good.
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins took their cues from legendary singer/songwriter Lauro Nyro in crafting the intimate, gospel-country Rabbit Fur Coat. The all-star Acid Tongue represents something bigger and darker. Without abandoning her roots, Rilo Kiley's front woman adds more soul and jazz weaponry to her musical arsenal, culminating in a record that combines the folky introspection of Joni Mitchell, circa Court and Spark, with the bluesy rock of the Rolling Stones, circa Sticky Fingers, i.e. slide guitar, Hammond B3 organ, and funk-oriented bass (Lewis contributes piano, vibraphone, and guitar). Even her voice sounds richer; deeper and smokier on some songs, like the noirish, nine-minute medley "The Next Messiah," and lighter and brighter on others, like the soaring "Black Sand" and yearning, Bowie-ish "Trying My Best to Love You." Recorded live to tape, the 11 tracks come hurtling out of the speakers like Wild Horses. Duet partners and backing vocalists include Jonathan Rice, Chris Robinson, and Lewis super-fan, Elvis Costello. Frequent collaborator M. Ward drops by to add acoustic licks to the slinky "Pretty Bird." With this second album, Lewis strikes a masterful balance between tough sounds and tender sentiments. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Awesome!:
Jenny Lewis is one of the most talented singers and songwriters of our generation. The guest vocals on this CD are great! Her voice and lyrics are unique and unlike any of the same old you hear on the radio. More lively, upbeat, and a great blend of many rock styles.
boring choruses:
First song echoes too much.
Also, all of her songs are incredibly repetitive. There is no chorus to any of them, just one line over and over and over. Doesn't she have anything else to say?
Simply The Best Album Of 2008:
The songwriting here is without peer and I simply cannot think of anyone, other than the late great Warren Zevon, who writes lyrics so eloquently and with such unfathomable depths of passion. I understand some long time fans have quibbled over the production on this record but that probably speaks of their own attachment to seeing Miss Lewis perform these songs live, which is another miracle that stands by itself, above criticism. Okay, everything ever written in praise or criticism is subjective, but, if... more info
Unforgiveable:
Did no one connected with the production of this swill have the guts to take Jenny Lewis aside and suggest that she come back with some actual material? Were they blinded by their own hipness? Were they too stoned? This is lethargic, repetitive, self-indulgent twaddle. The two cuts worth even a passing listen ("Acid Tongue" and "Carpetbaggers") are really only B+ music. They wouldn't stand out in any lineup of well-written songs. I want my $12 and 20 minutes back.
