Released Monday 22nd September 2008, Rough Trade

After the success of her debut solo album featuring the Watson Twins, and last summer’s underwhelming effort from her LA indie outfit Rilo Kiley, Acid Tongue may be a record which fans of Jenny Lewis are cautious to take for a spin. But I implore you – throw caution to the wind, this is a fine effort indeed! As a singer-songwriter her gradual transformation has been spellbinding, ignore last year’s dip with RK’s much too commercial efforts, and you’ll find a classic singer-songwriter in the making.

 
Lilting lyrics and sweet-as-honey vocals; in places this is a welcomed continuation of the soulfulness of Rabbit Fur Coat set to the scene of a sepia tinted roadtrip. Her collaborations are impressive to say the least, with M. Ward adding a live and rootsy vibe to the production, Elvis Costello stepping up to the mic on “Carpetbaggers” and Jonathan Rice singing segments of the ambitious, yet sometimes confused, “The Next Messiah”: an almost 9 minute epic that can’t quite hold itself together as it melds three songs into one. Whilst this and a few other moments on the album prevent it from being as consistent as the debut, standout tracks like “Carpetbaggers” and “Acid Tongue” are outstanding examples of Lewis’ fluid lyricisms, knack for storytelling and general growth as a songstress.

 
A versatile musician, Jenny Lewis has proven her talents have not left her pigeonholed, and as with Rabbit Fur Coat, this second outing is certainly a successful attempt at reinventing herself as a mature artist. Although initially not as ear-grabbing as earlier Rilo Kiley LPs, with their seemingly effortless indie pop riffs and darn catchy lyrics, Acid Tongue, as a slow burner, is sure to have glimmers of brilliance that pop out further down the dirt track, and undoubtedly make a more deep-rooted impact as a result.

Posted In Album Reviews, Sep 22 2008. Words - Melanie