Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Jenny Lewis, Warner Bros. Records 2019.
On The Line is the fourth solo album for American actor and singer/songwriter, Jenny Lewis, and the follow up to her critically acclaimed Voyager album which was released in 2014.
She first came to the attention of the music press in the early 2000s through her group Rilo Kiley which combined a country vocal sound with an indie rock beat.
They had moderate success with their 2004 album More Adventurous and its follow-up Under The Backlight (2007).
After the band split she went solo and had immediate success with her first release Rabbit Fur Coat and her second solo effort, Acid Tongue, but it was her 2014 release Voyager that really established her reputation as a performer to watch.
Voyager took five years to complete and was a reflection on Rilo kiley’s breakup plus the death of her father.
Another five years has passed before the release of On The Line so I imagine the same level of meticulous writing and recording has characterised the development process of this album.
The 11 new tracks were recorded at Capitol Records Studio B and include a star studded line-up of supporting artists including Beck, Benmont Tench, Don Was, Jim Keltner, Ryan Adams and Ringo Starr.
The album showcases Jenny’s delightful vocals and lyricism.
The first single, Red Bull & Hennessy is gaining play time on the country music radio stations, although as with most of the album it is more pop cross-over than country.
The album sits equally at home in the folk and pop genres as it does in modern country.
On The Line is an easy listening album that displays some lovely melodies and playful lyrics. Indeed it is the quality of the lyrics that is the strength of the album.
