Let me just say this up front (and I realize I’m probably in the minority): I’m not sold on Jenny Lewis.
For some reason, I want to like her. I want to be enamored with her. But I don’t, and I’m not. Originally, however shallow, I reasoned her connection with Postal Service would sway me. So I snapped up a couple Rilo Kiley albums. And still I don’t get it.
I can’t quite put my finger on it, but something feels forced, almost contrived, about her writing and presence – as if she’s desperate to live up to this goddess-of-indie-rock aura she’s taken on (or fans have bestowed upon her). The blog love for Lewis almost knows no bounds. At least, I find her solo work a little more endearing than anything in Rilo Kiley.
In my own twisted little pea brain, I sorta liken her to the Batman character Poison Ivy, who seduces unwitting men with her sex appeal for her own devices. Yeah, real deep. I know.
Just leave me with some Neko Case, and I’ll be happy. That said, Dodge asked that I capture Lewis’ set on KCRW. So, I did. Here’s the first five tracks:
Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic, 3/10/06:
1. Run Devil Run/Big Guns
(First few seconds got cut off here … )
2. Happy
3. You Are What You Love
4. Melt Your Heart
5. The Charging Sky
Also … For anyone who wasn’t checking in over the weekend, I’m taking care of Gorilla vs. Bear this week while Chris is at SXSW. So go check it out.
No way — thanks again for posting these coveted live performances
ha! while I wouldn’t go quite as far as calling her a Poison Ivy, I’m with you — I can’t quite tell why I *don’t* really like her. I keep listening and listening…nothing. It’s not that her music is bad, it just doesn’t grab me.
she’s just very, very overrated. watching these performances only drove that point home even more for me. thanks for your post! I was starting to feel like the only guy in the world not in love with jenny lewis.
Keviin – I feel the same about Ms. Lewis. I like a few RK soongs and like her minimal efforts on Postal Service but I grabbed both her solo album and bandmates Blake Sennet’s new album with the Elected…and I honestly prefer the Elected. It seems she is still starting out in this solo stuff so maybe more time will tell.
I, too, have been trying to like her music. I think it’s the songwriting, actually. It’s kind of anemic.
I like her voice, but it’s the Watson Twins that blow me away. Maybe they’ll put out their own cd!
i personally love rilo kiley and the postal service and while i didnt like the solo cd as much i still thought it was good. and about the watson twins i think they do have something out cause though i dont own anything by them i have a few songs on my comp that are just them that i got from some blog a few weeks back.
ohh and thanks alot for taping/posting these 🙂
Neko > Jenny
that said, she’s fun
Psh. Jenny Lewis is where it’s AT.
But honestly. I personally adore her, but I understand… with her stuff, I think you either get it or you don’t. And if you get it – she steals your soul.
The Watson Twins do have their own album – I believe it’s called Southern Matters.
I dont like her rilo kiley stuff at all, but do enjoy her new country inflected solo joint. seems like it suits her better.
well she’s as cute as a damn bugs ear, but i don’t get the appeal of the music either. for some reason i keep trying though. poison ivy indeed!
I totally feel ya on the Jenny Lewis sentiment. Thanks for sayin it.
you have a lovely blog 🙂
i completely agree on the jenny lewis thing. all i sometimes can think of is lil pippi longstockings and it freaks me out. i dont know, i want to like her, but im just not sold.
but ms neko case. thats another story. amazing!
I had the same thing with Jenny Lewis — heard her through the Postal Service and then tried to get into Rilo Kiley. I feel like a bridge between the two sides here. It took me a while (and normally I would’ve given up on it), but More Adventurous REALLY grew on me. It’s not one of my favorite records or anything, but it’s catchy as hell.
i think you’re on crack monkeynuts, but i love ya.