Jenny Lewis

Moving away from the funky, retro pop she is known for with Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis has decided to experiment with Southern soul on her second solo album, Acid Tongue.

Driven by perceptive songwriting and Lewis's emotionally powerful voice, the album comes off as a nostalgic journey through the vintage sounds of soulful blues, gospel rock and even some country twang.

A collaboration with Elvis Costello ("Carpetbagger") coupled with the frequent help of stirring gospel background singers strengthens the classic Americana tone that pervades the record. Although Acid Tongue is, for the most part, a fairly upbeat jam album, an underlying down-and-out subtext exists within the lyrics. For instance, "Godspeed" vocalizes Lewis' unheeded pleas for a friend to escape an abusive relationship, while "Bad Man's World," the standout track of the album, is a haunting reflection of familial disappointment.

The most ambitious piece on Acid Tongue is "Next Messiah," a nine-minute fusion of three distinct songs. The track moves from a country ballad to bluesy rock and, finally, to an upbeat duet with the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson. Astonishingly, the three styles fuse together well and the track makes for an enjoyable progression through the tenets of Southern rock.

With the success of both her first solo album, Rabbit Fur Coat, and Rilo Kiley's latest release, Under the Blacklight, Jenny Lewis is maintaining what has made her a standout performer in the world of innovative pop music. Acid Tongue serves as proof of Lewis' ability to successfully cross musical boundaries and still retain her own artistic originality.

-Tina Siadak