See Fernando by Jenny Lewis
or
There's is nothing quite like a song that comes out throwing haymakers. Usually only metal and punk bands (and Radiohead more that you'd think) use a technique like this because it's so hard to do... where do you go from there when you come out blasting, nearly out of control, attempting to knock out the listener? If you don't bring them in, the song will fail.
But Jenny Lewis and company does just that here... sure it takes a few measures before that guitar really starts going nuts with help from the drums, but she comes out punching. And it is wonderful.
In this some-how-underrated album Lewis might be at her best (how anything can be underrated in 2008 is beyond me, then again Jermaine Dye is still underrated). It's tough picking out just one song, but this song which sounds like a borderline country-punk anthem, puts Jenny and her friends at their best. They seem to be having fun, not trying to hard, just hanging out and playing some music. "Hey guys, let's turn up the amps on this one..." and this is what we got.
And the song brings energy, and who doesn't love energy? (besides hipsters when they're hanging out around unhipsters of course). If 2008 differed from previous years in any way, it was that there was more energy this year. Things might not be looking up, but people were a little more excited about life, because when things do turn... it's gonna be great. Wanna have a good time? Wanna bottle up that energy and let it all out... well go see Fernando.
And who doesn't want to see Fernando? He buying the fucking beer.
Showing posts with label Jenny Lewis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jenny Lewis. Show all posts
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Rise Up With Fists!!!
Rise Up With Fists!!! by Jenny Lewis
According to Jenny Lewis, trying to change someone is like cleaning the ocean... and she's right. It seems odd that changing would be so difficult, but it really is. Sure we change how we dress and who we hang out with, but changing who one is... well that, for whatever reason, is really effin' hard to do.
But why? Why is it so hard to change? Why are we so set in our ways and our personality? Why is it that we can't actually make the necessary changes to be a better person? Why is it that we all too often continue with self destructive behavior? And why is it that we think we can change other people, or at the very least, our loved ones? And why is it that change, if it does occur, a gradual process that takes months or years for it to happen?
Most people that I know are at least somewhat self aware—they know what their vices are and most people are conscious of their negative personality traits be it pride, stubbornness, arrogance, or whatever... so if we're aware of these negatives, why is it that we constantly continue to fail or fall into the same negative behaviors? Why is it, that whenever I get a bit frustrated in a relationship my gut reaction is to bolt and get away... not necessary break up, but get out of the situation at the moment? Why don't I stick around and get going with the toughness?
(Okay don't answer that, that can be summed up to immaturity).
But just because I know this and know that I can't and shouldn't do this... well I have a history of doing it. And this isn't good. And I want to change it, I'm going to change it, but will I change it?
At some point I'll have to—if I don't... well we all know.
So why is change so hard? And why can't I change my negative traits?
And here's the real kicker about change and relationships... the right person? That's the person you have to change with at the same time and at the same rate... but that's another day.
According to Jenny Lewis, trying to change someone is like cleaning the ocean... and she's right. It seems odd that changing would be so difficult, but it really is. Sure we change how we dress and who we hang out with, but changing who one is... well that, for whatever reason, is really effin' hard to do.
But why? Why is it so hard to change? Why are we so set in our ways and our personality? Why is it that we can't actually make the necessary changes to be a better person? Why is it that we all too often continue with self destructive behavior? And why is it that we think we can change other people, or at the very least, our loved ones? And why is it that change, if it does occur, a gradual process that takes months or years for it to happen?
Most people that I know are at least somewhat self aware—they know what their vices are and most people are conscious of their negative personality traits be it pride, stubbornness, arrogance, or whatever... so if we're aware of these negatives, why is it that we constantly continue to fail or fall into the same negative behaviors? Why is it, that whenever I get a bit frustrated in a relationship my gut reaction is to bolt and get away... not necessary break up, but get out of the situation at the moment? Why don't I stick around and get going with the toughness?
(Okay don't answer that, that can be summed up to immaturity).
But just because I know this and know that I can't and shouldn't do this... well I have a history of doing it. And this isn't good. And I want to change it, I'm going to change it, but will I change it?
At some point I'll have to—if I don't... well we all know.
So why is change so hard? And why can't I change my negative traits?
And here's the real kicker about change and relationships... the right person? That's the person you have to change with at the same time and at the same rate... but that's another day.
Monday, March 19, 2007
The Big Guns
The Big Guns by Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
I remember trying to find this ablum at a Best Buy in Tinley Town the weekend of the Final Four last year. George Mason was playing and Jim was buying a new laptop. Denis was down that weekend. I couldn't find this ablum, and I have no clue why I wanted it so… I mean it got an okay review on Pitchfork and Rilo Kiley is fine, but nothing more than that... so why did I want to buy it so badly? I have no clue. But I was dead set on buying this album and Neko Case's ablum. Since this wasn't at Best Buy, I didn't buy either album. Anyway... I finally did get this ablum like a week later and I fell in love with this song. I can't tell you how much I loved this song. Once again, another song I listened to all the time walking home from the Metro it that perfect spring that was DC in 2006. I loved it when the drums kicked in because it was a great beat to walk to... and I love the lyrics "I'll pretend that everyone here wants peace". Finally, it only took about 30 times for me to realize that Jenny was singing about God. But this song brings back so many plesent memories... I'd get home from work, and a lot of days I just go for a walk around Old Town (the first of the day). I miss that life a bit.
Watch it Live:
I remember trying to find this ablum at a Best Buy in Tinley Town the weekend of the Final Four last year. George Mason was playing and Jim was buying a new laptop. Denis was down that weekend. I couldn't find this ablum, and I have no clue why I wanted it so… I mean it got an okay review on Pitchfork and Rilo Kiley is fine, but nothing more than that... so why did I want to buy it so badly? I have no clue. But I was dead set on buying this album and Neko Case's ablum. Since this wasn't at Best Buy, I didn't buy either album. Anyway... I finally did get this ablum like a week later and I fell in love with this song. I can't tell you how much I loved this song. Once again, another song I listened to all the time walking home from the Metro it that perfect spring that was DC in 2006. I loved it when the drums kicked in because it was a great beat to walk to... and I love the lyrics "I'll pretend that everyone here wants peace". Finally, it only took about 30 times for me to realize that Jenny was singing about God. But this song brings back so many plesent memories... I'd get home from work, and a lot of days I just go for a walk around Old Town (the first of the day). I miss that life a bit.
Watch it Live:
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