August 31,2010
Warner Bros.
Rating: 6.8/10Jenny Lewis, known mostly as the charismatic eye/ear candy songstress from Rilo Kiley, lends her versatile talents to a project simply titled "Jenny and Johnny." The other half of this pop rock duo is Jenny's former touring buddy and current love interest, Jonathan Rice.
Rice supported Lewis on her 2009 Acid Tongue tour. Bus rides, hotel downtime, and backstage jam sessions seemed to have supplied an ample slate for the creation of this rather enjoyable album. Handily crafted pop tunes with Byrds-esque harmonies and surf's up style guitar melodies drive across a consistently pleasant plane that lasts just long enough to cover my morning commute (if I hit play after a fill-up at QT).
For my tastes, I'd prefer a little more Jenny and a little less Johnny. Their voices blend well though, and there is a tangible chemistry that comes across in the music. Airy and accessible, there's not a lot here to break down any walls into unchartered musical playgrounds. Taken for what it is though, no shame should be felt while singing along to the infectious "Big Wave" or the unshakeable "Just Like Zeus."
Fans of past works take caution. There are no twins singing back-up here, and the partnership with the dude from Salute Your Shorts has been placed on indefinite haitus. This Jenny is more Stevie, less Loretta. Past moments of smokey solitude disappear as if someone cranked the windows down on a classic Mustang bound for the PCH. As much as I would like to have seen Johnny in the backseat again, he's apparently called shotgun. But hey, Jenny's happy and having fun now. Who are we to judge?
http://www.jennyandjohnnymusic.com/
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