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hamlet · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 456

Jack was modest enough to send New York a link to this bad review for City and Eastern. While everybody must get stoned, fans are invited to throw stones back in the comments section. I haven't decided on mine yet.
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/29/222706.php
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REVIEW
Music Review: Jeffrey & Jack Lewis - City & Eastern Songs
Written by Modern Pea Pod
Published October 29, 2006

See also:
» Music Review: Paul Stanley - Live to Win
» Music Review: Grayson Capps - Wail and Ride
» Concert Review: Calexico at the Bataclan Theatre, Paris, October 29, 2006
Look, I don't expect all music to be intellectually satisfying. Fuck, I'm an Electric Six fan — I don't even expect music to be smart. But if your music isn't smart, if it isn't funny, if it isn't moving, then it has to have something, right? And Jeffrey & Jack Lewis' City & Eastern Songs doesn't really have that vital niche.

The Lewis brothers are certainly imaginative — singing about time machines and being potentially beaten and raped by Will Oldham near the subway system are interesting concepts. In fact, "Time Machine" and "Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror" could even qualify under the catchy novelty song category. Well, they could if they had one crucial thing going for them — catchiness. All of these atonally sung songs with uninteresting music begin to blend together into a bland, off-brand bowl of musical chicken soup. But if Jeffrey & Jack Lewis were just bland, indie zines across the Internet would probably be harping on about how great an album City & Eastern Songs is. What's worse is most of the songs — and yes, I am especially looking at you, "Art Land" — are also annoying.

The 37 minutes and 44 seconds of this album feel like spending time with that annoying guy in high school who thinks he's really, really funny and really, really creative. There are plenty of jokes, and even attempts at poignancy ("New Old Friends"), but nothing really sticks. Everything is cobbled together, so City & Eastern Songs feels as if the Brothers Lewis had a bunch of songs lying around that they wanted to get out there, but didn't want to really think about it. And it's just annoying. The Lewis brothers do have potential, and now they're making me feel like a chiding mother.

You know what, Lewis brothers? Grow up. Work on your songs. Just being annoying doesn't mean you're funny. You could make a good album. Your're probably one of the most imaginative and off-beat acts out there. But songs like "They Always Knew" make me want to kick your ass all the way to China. And I swear to God, if you don't live up to your potential, I will punish you. Somehow, some way.

Now go make a better album. And let's pretend this never happened, okay?

by Megan Giddings

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Music Review: Jeffrey & Jack Lewis - City & Eastern Songs
Published: October 29, 2006
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Comedy and Spoken Word, Music: Indie Rock
Writer: Modern Pea Pod
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Comments

#1 — December 31, 2006 @ 22:49PM — Jack

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.

#2 — January 4, 2007 @ 00:59AM — me
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

#3 — January 4, 2007 @ 06:16AM — Kayleigh

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!

#4 — January 4, 2007 @ 07:03AM — ben
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.

#5 — January 4, 2007 @ 09:39AM — carter t.
"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.

#6 — January 4, 2007 @ 10:12AM — ashley c
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.")

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fabalbert · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 435 Location: London

?

NO WORDS! Thanks to the wonder of the camera timer-
(sorry for not brushing my hair)

jack fe · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 865

Hahahaha.
"I'm an Electric Six fan"
You can't take anything seriously after that.
_________________
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Dav · Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

This all review is a joke
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jack fe · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 865

In fact, isn't a compliment that someone who likes Electric 6 doesn't like Jeff.
I'd be sad if she did!
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fabalbert · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 435 Location: London

I know someone who had the electric 6 album...
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JonnyCondom · Joined: 22 Dec 2006 Posts: 39 Location: Cornwall

I find Electric Six funny, but you can't even really call that a review, it's more like an immiture bitch at music she isn't familiar with. Like the mosher kids at my school going on about any music that isn't heavy metal.

And fabalbert, I loved your reaction.
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Lovers · Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 10

that re-view was abit rubbish, but i've gotta say city eastern... was i thought their weakest album, its still great but nowhere near asgood as others

numberdan · Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 16

Reading that review has really made me re-evaluate my opinion of the merits of Jeff Lewis.....

Not! Laughing

Will Oldham · Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 6:26 pm Post subject:

Im astounded, each to their own i guess
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jack fe · Joined: 08 Apr 2006 Posts: 865

Oh, I forgot to make a witty remark about this bad review:

Is there a photo too?

*bows* Thank you! I'm here till wednesday! Try the soup.
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hamlet · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 456

I thought we could get the Almost Will Oldham after her yelling reviewers are pussies.

Kieron · Joined: 02 Dec 2005 Posts: 909 Location: Edinburgh

I'm not going to waste my time by reading this. What's the point when I know for myself how good the albums are? Besides, the look on FA's face are enough to completely turn me off the idea! Laughing

ema · Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 1074 Location: france

i read it a couple weeks ago, but i decided to not make a comment cuz we had to stay polite and really... she's just a complete and utter turd!
i'm ok with the fact that people can dislike his work, for various reasons...out of tune, not enough catchy...whatever...but reading this "Look, I don't expect all music to be intellectually satisfying. Fuck, I'm an Electric Six fan — I don't even expect music to be smart. But if your music isn't smart, if it isn't funny, if it isn't moving, then it has to have something, right? And Jeffrey & Jack Lewis' City & Eastern Songs doesn't really have that vital niche." yeah, readin' that is really infuriating !!!! you know what megan?you should listen to the album again , give it a second chance and, if you still doesn't like it, then go back to your electric six sound and .... screw you!!!

ohhh and give up your journalistic career, cuz the first thing you usually learn ( i sent the review to a friend of mine, a "real" journalist) is to stay objective, no matter what you like something or not! and find "several" sources before writing any article....and from what we can see and read you didn't do your job properly...it's quite obvious!
i've always hated all those frustated critics anyway....
end of rant.
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-cas- · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 58 Location: paris, france