Rilo Kiley singer and former child actress Jenny Lewis returns with her second solo album. The first, 2006's 'Rabbit Fur Coat' was a lovely country/soul affair complete with singalong version of Travelling Wilburys' 'Handle With Care'. This album is something else altogether.
There have been some great records released this year, but few can match the ambition and vision that is present here, or the songwriting and performances. 'Acid Tongue' was recorded in three weeks, live in the studio (no pro-tools) with friends and collaborators including M Ward, Zooey Deschanel and Elvis Costello.
In many ways the opening couple of tracks serve as an introduction for the amazing songs that are to come. 'Black Sand' and 'Pretty Bird' are simple and pretty, neither would have been out of place on 'Rabbit Fur Coat'. Things get interesting with 'The Next Messiah' a huge, 10 minute epic taking in four separate musical pieces and featuring some superb electric guitar from Blake Mills. After the soulful 'Bad Man's World' the album builds into a simply incredible sequence of songs.
The title track is almost entirely vocal driven, featuring confessional verses and a big, gospel sounding chorus. You'll be singing it all day. 'See Fernando', a wry song about a drug dealer, is a blast, guitar led and catchy. 'Godspeed' is a beautiful piano ballad with a touching lyric about a friend on the wrong path. 'Carpetbaggers' is an upbeat country romp with a thrilling vocal from Elvis Costello.
After another couple of songs that sound like soul standards...almost motown country, if that genre exists, the album ends with 'Sing A Song For Them' a kind of updated version of Dexys' 'I'll Show You'. Simply gorgeous.
This record is a revelation. I expected to like it but the sheer quality of the songwriting and performances and the scale of ambition make this one of the albums of the year so far. Superb.
9.0
['Acid Tongue' is out now on Rough Trade. Jenny Lewis tours UK in October]
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