JENNY AND JOHNNY “I’M HAVING FUN NOW” Review

JENNY AND JOHNNY “I’M HAVING FUN NOW”
By Rick Zeigler

The lyrics on I’m Having Fun Now belie the title, as they are often dark and almost always cynical in their portrayal of relationships. The music and melodies, however, are as sweet and sticky as sugar and warm as sunshine. Combine this with the truly “duo” nature of the vocals, with Jenny and Johnny constantly trading lines and harmonizing over the beauteous melodies, and you have the year’s best power-pop confection, hands-down. Jenny is the well-known Jenny Lewis, from TV and Rilo Kiley fame, as well as the purveyor of two fine solo albums, Rabbit Fur Coat and Acid Tongue. Johnny is Johnathan Rice, less well-known but a singer songwriter in his own right. With I’m Having Fun Now, Lewis leaves behind the acoustic and country-tinged flavor of her solo work for an out-and-out pop-rock confection. Chiming, crunchy guitars and hard-charging drums keep the songs away from any hint of sappiness, while the melodies and hooks stick like cotton candy and Charms pops. While there are no duff songs, “Scissor Runner,” “Big Wave,” and “New Yorker Cartoon” are three obvious standouts, with vocals that meld as if the duo has been together for decades rather than for just a few years. In sum, I’m Having Fun Now is a sheer joy from start to finish, and an album that I just can’t stop listening to.

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