Another Form of Relief

Two and a half years after her first solo album with one crapfest Rilo Kiley album last year and it’s time for the second proper Jenny Lewis record. I was getting ready to hail this as a great return to form, because it really is rather good, but then I discovered this song actually dates back two years itself. Which makes it kind of strange as the lead for a new album, but it’s good enough to not matter too much.

Obviously we’re back to the country/folk/gospel territory here, which is obviously what Lewis is interested in doing now as opposed to the shiny pop of her band. Her voice is perfectly suited to the songs of heartbreak that come with the genre, and when she sings about how rough giving up drugs and cigarettes was, she’s world weary enough that you believe it. I have no idea if the rest of the album will sound as good, but this song is certainly good enough to restore at least some hope.

I’ve posted both Rilo Kiley and The Elected in the past month, so it only seems fair to complete the set. I was kind of torn on Jenny Lewis’ record when it came out. While enjoying it, I didn’t really think that much of it simply because it didn’t sound like Rilo Kiley. It’s strange that a couple of years and one horrendous album later, that actually doesn’t seem like a negative anymore.

Melt Your Heart feels like it would be right at home in a smoke-filled bar, it’s lone singer on the stage lamenting about failed loves while no one really pays her any attention. It’s obvious that it’s this material where Lewis’ passions now lie. Still, as long as there is money to be made in songs about porn stars and doing fifteen year olds, I guess we’ll be waiting a while for anything new.

I’m not entirely sure what to make of all of this Jenny Lewis solo material now. I like Rabbit Fur Coat, I really do, but the whole schtick seems to be waring a little thin for me now. The artwork and videos on top of the songs just forces the whole 50s country songstress thing a little far. I think as an album concept it worked, but I don’t see it having any long term appeal over multiple releases and the such. That or I’m still a little bitter about how all of this is resulting in less Rilo Kiley records.

With that in mind, we now have another new Jenny track, entitled ‘Fireplace’, which can be found as the b-side to the single of ‘You Are What You Love’. My first impressions are that it doesn’t do a great deal for me, although I thought that about previous b-side ‘Paradise’, which I ended up really liking. It may just need time to grow on me or something.

Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins – Fireplace (expired)

On a related note, this raises a small question about my blogging I suppose. I debated whether or not to post this simply for the reason above: I’m not a great fan of it. This is probably the first time I’ve written a whole post around a song I didn’t really like, so it seems a little weird to me. Although I had the initial reaction of thinking I shouldn’t post it, I decided against that simply for the fact that I want this to be a blog that encourages discussion and thoughts about the music. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve no desire to put up a ton of stuff I don’t really like, but when it’s something like this, a song from an artist I really like in the first place, I think it makes sense to.

That said, what do you lot think of it? Not whether or not I should be blogging it, but the song, or if you’re feeling really bold, the whole Jenny Lewis thing in general. Thoughts on a postcard. Or the comment link below. Either works for me.