Words to Live By

“My forties are kicking my ass/And handing them to me in a margarita glass.” In a smooth opening line that makes Christopher Cross look like an amateur sailor, Jenny Lewis kicks off “Puppy and a Truck” with a realistic view of her life, complete with unconditional love from her dog and a pedal steel guitar. Welcome to Lewis’ yacht-rock era. Pour a drink and stay a while.

That's the opening graf of Rolling Stone's review of Jenny Lewis' new single, "Puppy and a Truck". I saw her play this live as she opened for Harry Styles a few months ago. It's a different sound for her, but the lyrics are terrific, and it's Jenny Freaking Lewis, people. Get your Thanksgiving week started with some easy-listenin', alt-rock-style.

Jenny, I Got Your Number

Been a while since we last celebrated Jenny Lewis in these pages, but it's also been a while since she released a solo record. Nearly five years, to be semi-precise. She's back, though, with all the stuff that makes her her, and makes me dig on it. Here's a sultry, restrained live version of 'Red Bull & Hennessy':