(Rough Trade/Remote Control)

Second solo effort from Rilo Kiley founder

Following on from her last solo record (Rabbit Fur Coat), Acid Tongue establishes Jenny Lewis as the other flame-haired alt-roots chanteuse (along with Neko Case), though that’s where similarities between the two end. Backed on the last record by the luscious harmonising of The Watson Twins, Lewis is truly at centre stage this time over, her voice both vulnerable and soaring (though a roster of guests appear, from Elvis Costello and Black Crowe’s Chris Robinson to M Ward and Zooey Deschanel). The final result is a more varied collection of songs, Lewis not content to stick to folk rock and porch-friendly singalongs. There’s a churning blues-rock murder ballad turned ‘testify!’ gospel barnstormer (Jack Killed Mom), dry country-folk strumming (the title track), slinky soul in Bad Man’s World and an epic brand of ‘70s soft rock in miniature song-cycle The Next Messiah. Indie bandleader turned alt-country singer/songwriter? Nope … Acid Tongue shows it’s now much harder to fence Lewis in.

*** ½    

MATT THROWER

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