Jenny Lewis – Acid Tounge

Acid Tongue – Jenny Lewis

By Chris Peken

Some of you may know Jenny Lewis from her time as front woman of Rilo Kiley, most will not know her at all. It doesn’t matter. Only two albums into a solo career and Ms Lewis has stamped herself as a woman who needs to be heard with her second solo album Acid Tongue. Moving from her indie-rock beginnings to a mid-70’s West Coast singer-songwriter vibe, Jenny Lewis has assembled a team of friends – Chris Robinson, M Ward, Jonathan Rice and Elvis Costello – and a band that can crank it up when the need arises. Recorded live and in a short time frame, it shows. The album is packed with wall-rattling rockers like Jack Killed Mom and See Fernando, along with the Costello duet Carpetbaggers. While Lewis shows an ability to hold her own on the simple Trying My Best To Love You and the haunting lead track, Black Sand. After a self-conscious start to her solo career, Jenny Lewis has arrived.

****