Wow,
that's the most honest straight forward review I've read of this album.
I actually agree with a lot of what she said.
They do need to to be more Tuneful,
But ... he writes amazing lyrics. More full of meaning then Bonnie Prince, Bright Eyes, Elliot Smith, Jeff tweady, TvRadio and M Ward and whoever else in the indie scene is supposed to the write good lyrics.
They reach for grandness ina regular, ordinary world. feet planted firmly on the ground (sometimes they're too firmly planted). It's also a fault, they are too moral at times, but fuck, most music is so amoral and poitnless that he has to try and tip the scale the other way a little bit.

I disagree!

Good lyrics are good lyrics and you don't need to put a catchy tune on them to make them worthy of a good review.

Jeff Lewis, keep doinwhachudoin

It seems genius is wasted on the ignorant.

The site says 'personal attacks are not allowed'.
If this doesn't constitute to a personal attack I don't know what does!

this revies is way out. just because you dont get something or connect with is doesnt mean its no good! not everyone like the same thing But this album like allis down to earth and true, even the sureal stuff. and sure it may not be laugh out loud funny, but it is still funny, in a less overt way. for me this is one of the most interesting, and poignant albums i'v herd. and perhaps if your trying to understand the hummour read jeffs or any other down to earth (and surreal) comics.
if you want pollished comedy indie then this is not what you want, but if you want something different, and whith which you can identify it is.

A Fantastic album.

"attempts at poignancy..." whatev babe. my thoughts race to will oldham song and lyrics about your heroes worshipping their heroes and feeling like fakes themselves or telling your mom someone interviewed you and feeling like a twelve year old who's showing a good report card. hits the nerve.

We come to a song or an album (or a book or a painting or any kind of creative work) with all kinds of preconceptions, expectations, likes, dislikes, and baggage. So this lucky person with a gig as a reviewer doesn't like this album. That's fine. But it's a challenge to get past her high opinion of herself as an expert to see her opinion of the music. "Annoying"? Judge not!

(And I just have to question the poetic sensibilities of anyone not moved by "Moving.")

Doxa. OK, so you don`t like his music. why bother and writing this? it's a bit excesive and personal, isnt it? JL is our dylan. XIX century is finally over!

Seriously? I'd like to suggest that if we weren't so locked into a media age and poets were forced to return to the page Jeff Lewis would surely be now and forever among the greats. You know that feeling you got in school when you figured something out for yourself, even if the teacher held your hand all the way through it, well Jeff Lewis provides that with his songs. You connect and feel clever for getting it, even if it was his beautiful brain that found a way of putting it into song. Reading your first paragraph I had this uncomfortable feeling of being tricked into anger, like I was being set up to look a fool and you were being completely sarcastic. I hope you take some more time, live a bit more, read some poetry, walk about, listen to all of Jeff's music, see him and Jack play live (there's usually plenty of pure joy in the room, even if it's only emenating from me)and write another review celebrating their accomplishments. They work hard, those Lewis boys, and they certainly don't need you for a chiding mother. Oh, and try being a reviewer not a critic, that niche is most definitely full.

here's my review of your review:

In her review of Jeffrey and Jack Lewis' "City and Eastern Songs", Megan Giddings tries for a "straight talk" approach to album reviews, a rarity I typically welcome. Sadly, Giddings lacks the restraint to really pull it off. Her humorous asides and overbearing tone confuse and bewilder me. (I still don't quite understand the jab she is making against indie zines in the second paragraph.) But the real problem with the excessive attitude in this review is that it really ceases to be about the album and becomes just about Megan Giddings threatening the Lewises with physical violence across vast distances for recording an album that she doesn't like. Or maybe it's my personal annoyance with her misuse of the word "atonal".

Congratulations, reviewer. You did it. You win. You are the blindest person here. I forfeit my crown.

Ms Giddings may have some pertinent points to make, sadly they are hidden beneath her vitriol. Perhaps great lyrics aren't enough, perhaps they should also have matching lycra outfits, dance routines and whine about teenage nonsense. I think not.

Well, I'm a great fan of the Lewis bros, saw them live quite a few times (and still do), read the comix and everything. But sadly, I've got to admit I agree with Megan. Since I bought that album, I must have listened to it 4 times (and that was a year ago). When I got "the last time i did acid..." I listened to it for more than 2 years almost on a daily basis (and i still do). Jeff still is one of my favorite contemporary songwriter but most of this album is weak to me. 3-4 songs are good, half the rest oK but no more than ok. I'm not happy saying this but it sounds like somebody trying to sound like Jeffrey Lewis. So i agree that critic's a bit harsh but it's the most honest thing i read about that album. And i definitely think jeff and Jack deserve better than this new dylan bullshit you find on messageboards. I'm sorry but most of the songs are just not up to the standard. So i don't think it's such a good album, it's not the end of my admiration for the bros, i'm still waiting for the next one but i hope it'll be better. What i really don't get is how everybody on this blog is reacting against that review on the basis that we all like different things and we mustn't judge, and we want reviews not critics, and it's a personal attack and blah blah blah. Time to grow up kids. Even if i don't like it i'll always prefer critics than reviews. I think Jeff is great. I don't want him to be my hero.

Hey Jeff and Jack. This review might be more worrisome if it weren't written by a blogger and if that blogger's premise for criticism wasn't that music does not need to be intellectually satisfying.

what aload of twoddle

though i feel this re-view is abit strong in places and the album isnt that bad, but this album isn't as good as the first two rough trade releases, and i find it hard to see why the reviewer hasn't mentioned the fact that this is the so called "tricky third album"

also this person likes Electric Six i will never believe a single word they every type again