Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue

Acid Tongue (2008, Warner Bros.) Jenny Lewis's second studio album. ****1/2

Somewhere down the Rilo Kiley road Jenny Lewis realized she wanted - and was able - to do more than just indie rock. And so for her second solo album, Acid Tongue, she dabbles with alternative country and southern rock, garnering from all the spirits of the late 60's and early 70's, as there are bits of Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, and Delaney & Bonnie (among countless others) scattered all over this album. Lewis isn't without her own voice, though, as she masterfully crafts stories into every song.

Things start off with the relatively peaceful "Black Sand," and this peace is only interrupted by the eight-minute "Next Messiah," a sprawling, evolving number backed by three distinct sections that, while not seamless, are nonetheless engaging. Things truly become interesting with the title track, performed with an acoustic guitar and with backup harmonies as lovely as CSNY. Lewis's brilliant decision to leave the song as bare as it is gives it all the personality it needs; a story of a troubled woman trying to get out, alone and cold. The far more energetic "See Fernando" follows perfectly, and comes back down again for "Godspeed," where Lewis tells the age-old story of trying to help someone who doesn't want it. Naturally, after a somber moment it jumps into country ridiculousness with "Carpetbaggers," about hookers and soldiers.

Lewis didn't try anything fancy on Acid Tongue, as it is essentially a collection of great songs performed without overly shiny production. In fact, the only way to give the album a more intimate feeling than it already has would be to have it in the vein of Delaney & Bonnie's Hotel Shot. Regardless, the shining moments of Acid Tongue are breathtaking in their simplicity, a strong suggestion that there is always a new song to be heard, and it doesn't take production room tricks. (Black Sand, Acid Tongue, Godspeed)