Album Review: Jenny Lewis – On The Line (Warner Bros)

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With an all-star band and a controversial producer, Jenny Lewis makes the best album of her career.

It would be easy to overlook Jenny Lewis’ own importance on this, her first solo album in five years. After all, she’s assembled a studio that includes Don Was on bass, Benmont Tench playing keyboards and drummers Jim Keltner and, um, Ringo Starr.

Then there is the issue of her co-producers. Beck helps out on three tracks, while the others were co-produced by Ryan Adams, who also plays guitar and piano.

Now, Lewis has worked with both musicians before, but suddenly Adams has become a pariah in the music industry and Jenny has tried to downplay Ryan’s contribution to the record.

I have to say, no matter how much of a creep he may be, his input seems fairly major.

But, the biggest reason this record is so good is the quality of the songs, and that’s all down to Jenny Lewis herself.

The first three tracks, Heads Gonna Roll, Wasted Youth and Red Bull & Hennessy must be the strongest opening songs I’ve heard on a new album in ages.  They are the kinds of songs you’ll be singing long after listening to the album, even after just one spin.

Lewis’ style has moved from alt.country, when she started out 20 years ago with Rilo Kiley, to a more straightforward ‘70s classic rock sound. It’s a sound she nails effortlessly…why Red Bull & Hennessy sounds like an outtake from Rumours.

As good as the music is, Lewis doesn’t hold back on the lyrics. The former child actor has done some living during her 43 years, growing up in a broken home with a mother (recently deceased) addicted to smack. She also recently ended a 12-year relationship with fellow musician Jonathan Rice, so there’s plenty of grist for the mill.

And it’s all in there.

Lewis is a child of Hollywood and her songs reflect the clichéd “seedy underbelly” lying under the glitter and glamour on the entertainment industry…one the she’s been a part of since the age of 3. So there are plenty of references to sex, drugs and booze. Think of a sunnier sounding version of Warren Zevon.

I should also note that Jenny’s piano playing serves as the bedrock for most of the 11 tracks and her vocal performance is top of the line.

While it’s true that not all of the tracks on On The Line are as immediately engaging as those first three, the remainder all have their charms, so feel free to play it from beginning to end.

Marty Duda

 

 

Marty Duda
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