Red Bull & Hennessy by Jenny Lewis

 

 

Another blogger Crazy Classic Rock recently noted that it’s been slim pickings for rock albums in the 2010s, and I would agree with that assessment.  I’ll get back to that discussion when I publish my best of the decade lists. The lead single Red Bull & Hennessy from Jenny Lewis’ upcoming album was a pleasant surprise. I like the rock sound, thumping drums, piano, and the closing guitar solo works like a dream. Her vocal has been compared to Carole King and Stevie Nicks. To me, the lyrics suggest freedom and the open road, I could imagine listening while on a long drive. Singer-songwriter Lewis has spared no expense and is supported on the album by Beck, Ringo Starr, Don Was (bass player of the 1980s funk-rock band Was Not Was), Benmont Tench (keyboardist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), respected session drummer Jim Keltner, and under-fire singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, who was recently forced to pull his new album and tour amid claims of sexual abuse. I was hesitant if I should boycott with Adams’ involvement. But I thought would be unfair to Lewis if I refused to share. Hopefully, like me, you can separate the controversy from the music. Jenny Lewis is best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley (which I am unfamiliar). Her latest album On The Line is released under her own name and is out March 22.