Acid Tongue is the second go-round of Jenny Lewis’s solo career, breaking away from her band Rilo Kiley for round two. Her last release, Rabbit Fur Coat, took a few hits due to her lack of lyrical content and bland musical arrangements. Rabbit Fur Coat didn’t have enough substance to keep its place in my iTunes library. This time around, she kept the country but added a hint of rock and pop hoping to strike gold. Talk of Acid Tongue, her new record, buzzed around last winter, and the actual recording took place in about three weeks. Her mindset was to record most of it live, which she seemed to do with great success on this release. Her voice fits the tracks but it’s repetitive, and it seems like she bit off more than she could chew.It’s a mix of alternative country and pop in a rotation from song to song. Her intention seemed to add a bit more pop with the country, but I am not so sure she succeeded at either angle with this record. The third track “The Next Messiah” might be one of the best tracks and not because of Lewis’ performance, but to the credit of Jonathan Rice, who helped write the piece. It is a track that was recorded live which originally came from three songs before combining it into one nine-minute song.The overall songwriting doesn’t seem at the right maturity level for a 30-something accomplished musician. She struggled with this problem on the last record and it has definitely carried over onto Acid Tongue. Its immaturity leaves something to be desired instead of fulfilling any emotion that she probably intended.This record comes off rushed and with a sense of disorganization in not only her writing but leaves listeners questioning, “So where was she going with this?” I find grace in her simplicity but despise the underproduction. It seems as if those who assisted her on the record are what keep the album together. The teamwork of Zooey Deschanel is surprisingly appreciated since Deschanel’s own record was something to be forgotten.One thing to Lewis’ credit is “Carpetbaggers”, a song featuring Elvis Costello that might actually be the selling point for her record. Much like Rabbit Fur Coat, Acid Tongue hasn’t stayed above water, but maybe her third time around will bring her success. Jenny Lewis might need to throw in the towel on the solo gig because it may not be her calling, but then again, neither was her childhood Jell-O commercial.
l
Acid Tongue is the second go-round of Jenny Lewis’s solo career, breaking away from her band Rilo Kiley for round two. Her last release, Rabbit Fur Coat, took a few hits due to her lack of lyrical content and bland musical arrangements. Rabbit Fur Coat didn’t have enough substance to keep its place in my iTunes library. This time around, she kept the country but added a hint of rock and pop hoping to strike gold. Talk of Acid Tongue, her new record, buzzed around last winter, and the actual recording took place in about three weeks. Her mindset was to record most of it live, which she seemed to do with great success on this release. Her voice fits the tracks but it’s repetitive, and it seems like she bit off more than she could chew.It’s a mix of alternative country and pop in a rotation from song to song. Her intention seemed to add a bit more pop with the country, but I am not so sure she succeeded at either angle with this record. The third track “The Next Messiah” might be one of the best tracks and not because of Lewis’ performance, but to the credit of Jonathan Rice, who helped write the piece. It is a track that was recorded live which originally came from three songs before combining it into one nine-minute song.The overall songwriting doesn’t seem at the right maturity level for a 30-something accomplished musician. She struggled with this problem on the last record and it has definitely carried over onto Acid Tongue. Its immaturity leaves something to be desired instead of fulfilling any emotion that she probably intended.This record comes off rushed and with a sense of disorganization in not only her writing but leaves listeners questioning, “So where was she going with this?” I find grace in her simplicity but despise the underproduction. It seems as if those who assisted her on the record are what keep the album together. The teamwork of Zooey Deschanel is surprisingly appreciated since Deschanel’s own record was something to be forgotten.One thing to Lewis’ credit is “Carpetbaggers”, a song featuring Elvis Costello that might actually be the selling point for her record. Much like Rabbit Fur Coat, Acid Tongue hasn’t stayed above water, but maybe her third time around will bring her success. Jenny Lewis might need to throw in the towel on the solo gig because it may not be her calling, but then again, neither was her childhood Jell-O commercial.
l
Posted 3 years ago Notes
