One way or another
Let's just get this out of the way: everyone is in love with Jenny Lewis. Even if you say you're not, even if you're all, "Rilo Kiley is totally overrated," or "I only like their first album", or, "everyone's in love with Jenny Lewis, but I'm so not" - well, too bad. You're so in love with Jenny Lewis.
This is because - well, yes, she's goddamn adorable. She's also immensely talented, and her vocals have become more and more accomplished with each Rilo Kiley record. (Whenever I hear her both yell and sing "It's so fucking beautiful!" on "Spectacular Views," tears inevitably come to my eyes. No one can express pure, genuine sincerity as heartbreakingly as Jenny Lewis.) And she, in my opinion, is a great songwriter, a sentiment I share with people such as Elvis Costello.
Okay, so now it's clear I'm really in love with Jenny Lewis. I'm alright with that.
Jenny Lewis - Melt Your Heart.
This track is from her first solo record, Rabbit Fur Coat, which comes out next Tuesday on Conor Oberst's Team Love label. I've gotta be honest here and say that it's not the best thing I've heard her sing, but I'm hoping it fits better in the context of the whole record, which is reportedly a kind of "white girl sings soul" thing. I'm sure I'm way overgeneralizing, but that's the gist of what I've heard.
The record apparently also has a cover of the Traveling Wilburys' "Handle With Care", featuring Ben Gibbard, M. Ward and Bright Eyes as Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne and Bob Dylan, respectively. (Or is that Lefty, Otis and Lucky?) That is a ridiculous and great idea.
You can pre-order Rabbit Fur Coat from Insound.