Juliette Lewis
Terra Incognita
(The End Records)
Imagine a bluesy version of Mars Volta’s De-Loused in the Comatorium with controlled drumming, Juliette Lewis’ explosive vocals and pop song structure. This is what a great Omar Lopez-Rodriguez-produced release sounds like. Evoking Janis Joplin, the 12-track album is darker than anything Lewis has done before. OLR’s expert influence is blatant all throughout the album (guitar work, song keys, effects), but man, does it work. Highlights: “Hard Lovin’ Woman” (for Janis fans) and “Romeo.”
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.
