If you ever wanted a John Steinbeck character to crawl from his novel and take up the life of a travelling musician, then Jack Klatt is your man.

I’m honestly at a loss. This man is amazing. His growling baritone. His amazing writing. His ability to remake old songs. The expert of the musicians. The growling trumpet so aptly placed in most of the songs. It’s all perfection.

It’s been ages since I’ve been so smitten with a new musician. Every couple months I look to see if he has a new album, and when he doesn’t I swear and hope for next time. I can only hope others catch onto his brilliance, because I want him to be able to dedicate his life to making amazing music, and making it available for me to purchase! He could be my next Warren Zevon, my next Mountain Goats. I just need more than 10 songs! Please Jack Klatt?

This album really has it all. Alt-country, folk, blues. From up tempo songs about losing it on wall street to tender songs of love and life. I’d highlight my favorite songs if every song wasn’t my favorite. If you like folk, any kind of folk, go listen to Jack Klatt. Right now.

What to Expect?

The best damn folk/blues you’ve ever experienced. Why haven’t you bought his album yet?

What to Take Away?

Jack Klatt and the Cat Swingers is an amazing band. It’s pure bliss.

What Drink to Pair it With?

Best would be some homemade wine or moonshine, but I don’t have any of that around. In lieu of that I’d have to say bourbon, straight up.

Favorite Song?

Oh man. This could turn into a bloody death match. There’s something about “Ruckus on Wallstreet” that’s just so seductive. Once that song starts I just have to listen to the whole album. “Sweet Maureen” is also amazing, and the line “she screws like a bullet coming out of a gun” is among the best I’ve ever heard. “Anywhere I Go” is slow, sentimental, soulful, and generally not the type of song I’d lose it for. And yet it’s one of my favorites from the album. It’s just so beautiful. The other seven songs on the album tie for second place.

It seems lately that I’ve been filling in the gaps. Bands or musicians who tickled me pink in the past, well, I felt the need to go make sure I had everything they had to offer.

This may have not been the best of ideas.

The most recent gap filled is in the catalog of Jenny Lewis.

My affair with Jenny Lewis started poorly. Namely, “Does he love you?” was on a mix CD a friend made for me. I thought it was boring. I then categorized both Rilo Kiley and Jenny Lewis as “Boring”.

Many years later i finally decided to try out some Rilo Kiley. This was during my study abroad in Denmark, and now Rilo Kiley is my personal soundtrack to Denmark. That translates to Rilo Kiley seriously stealing my soul for those 4.5 months.

I moved on to Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins‘ “Rabbit Furcoat“. And it was good. Amazingly good. If someone would have described that album to me prior to my listening to it, I would have been skeptical at best. Jenny Lewis, mostly acoustic music, singing folk/alt-country songs, with twin gospel harmonists accompanying?

I’m glad I didn’t get the opportunity to become skeptical.

So next on my acquisition list was Jenny Lewis’ “Acid Tongue“. I was expecting the same as “Rabbit Furcoat”.

It’s not the same. It’s not even close.

I mean, it’s not terrible. It doesn’t leave me wishing for unconsciousness. But it’s not good either. The music is overly simple, and so is the singing. The lyrics don’t strike me as particularly powerful, witty, or interesting. There is no hook at all. It’s like tepid water.

I find the first two songs without much merit at all. I often have a hard time sleeping with music on because I find myself more interested in the music than sleeping. The first two songs would not interrupt my sleep at all (a bad sign).

“The Next Messiah” picks up the tempo a bit. Electric guitar and a steady drum beat come into play. Jenny Lewis’ vocals are more energetic than in the first two songs…but the whole song still feels uninspired to me. Something doesn’t mesh quite right, and I would describe the song as more or less boring, despite the upped tempo.

The middle and title track “Acid Tongue” reminds me the most of “Rabbit Furcoat”. Great harmonies. Sincere vocals. simple, well done acoustic instrumentation. For me, this is the most stand out track on the album.

“See Fernando” is a good follow up. It’s higher energy. The music and the vocals mesh well. And the song effectively makes me want to go see Fernando.

“Carpetbagger” is an okay song. 7.5 out of 10, if you will.

The rest of the album is of no interest to me.

What to take away?

Acid Tongue is less inspired than Rabbit Furcoat. I generally find it boring.

What to expect?

Watered down Jenny Lewis, falling short of her best.

What drink does it most resemble?

Lukewarm watered down tea.