#37 - Phil

Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins

Rabbit Fur Coat

2006

Jenny Lewis is best known for being the lead singer of one of the biggest indie-turned mainstream bands of the decade, Rilo Kiley. Before the release of her first solo project, Lewis made three albums with Rilo Kiley, with their third, More Adventurous, marking the band’s commercial breakthrough in 2004. I was a fan of More Adventurous, but ultimately was much more drawn to the songs Lewis wrote on the album than the ones her fellow bandmate Blake Sennett either wrote or co-wrote with her. It all made sense once I finally heard her solo debut, Rabbit Fur Coat.

Yes, the album is technically billed as …with the Watson Twins, but these are Lewis’ songs – and she puts her heart into every one of them. “Rise Up with Fists!!” is perhaps the most gorgeous song Lewis has ever written; it’s message to trust in who you are and persevere through life's struggles never gets old: “What are you changing? Who do you think you’re changing? / You can’t change things, we’re all stuck in our ways / It’s like trying to clean the ocean, what do you think you can drain it? / Well it was poison and dry long before you came / But you can wake up under the knife / And you can wake up sounder if you get analyzed / And I better wake up / There but for the grace of God, go I.” This is just one of the eleven beautifully inspirational songs Lewis has conjured up with the Watson twins on Rabbit Fur Coat, and it’s proof that Lewis is indeed one of the most talented singer-songwriters in mainstream music today. -P.W

Eh... I never liked Rilo Kiley. Like other residents of the Barsuk and Saddle Creek Records imprints, Rilo Kiley is a watered down, dull and almost entirely uninteresting indie pop group. I’m convinced that my neighbor in college was only a fan because he was in love with Jenny Lewis. Well, that’s like all the women that like Bright Eyes. It can’t possibly be because of the god-awful music, can it (new Bob Dylan my ass!)? Okay, I’m a little off topic now. While Rabbit Fur Coat is a little more appealing to me because I have a soft spot for alt-country, in the end it has the same effect on me as Rilo Kiley. I ultimately find it utterly disposable. I’d rather listen to Neko Case. - Ryan

This record is pleasant, well-crafted and fans of the style and of Rilo Kiley will certainly eat it all up. I have no direct criticisms as this is a record that typically floats on in the background without a ripple on my radar. Not something I'd endorse nor condemn, what we have here is a 12 song album of pure coffee shop music. - Steve