Jenny and Johnny - I'm Having Fun Now Album Review

If we take a moment to examine the historical evidence of the double J partnership I think you may conclude that it has had a mixed bag of results. Jam & Jerusalem! Jack & Jill. Jesus & Judas. Johnson & Johnson. So how will the cool Cali couple fare as Rocks latest incarnation of Sonny & Cher? Sounding, as they do, as if they were type cast for a prequel to Grease, Jenny & Johnny, at least for now, have love on their side. Brought together through a combination of musical appreciation and tastes as well as the cupid like qualities of Conor Oberst, Jenny & Johnny seem to have effortlessly combined in delivering a near faultless album with their debut.

I'm Having Fun Now combines the pop panache of Jenny's past life as 25% of Rilo Kiley as well as the folksy roots of her partner Johnny. The set list of laid back sun drenched tunes is further enhanced by the alarmingly well paired vocal duets and the rye, witty, sometimes satirical observational lyrics. Singing songs about Snakes, Knives and dysfunctional or disturbing relationships seems to be a forte for the loved up pair.

'Scissor Runner' gently leads you into the harmonic, dueting, often conversational style that carries through I'm Having Fun Now. The jangly guitars and west coast warmth of their combined layered vocals is hard to resist. 'My Pet Snakes' changes tack slightly with its Reggae and Ska infused rhythms as the pair dissect the remains of a broken relationship. The single 'Big Wave' brings you the immediacy that radio air play craves and is no throw away tune. Its take on California's economic demise favours Jenny to deliver more of the tunes hooks but although chosen to be first out of the box it is by no means the best the album has to offer.

The best of I'm Having Fun Now can be heard on two tracks that share a common theme. In 'Switchblade' and 'Straight Edge Of The Blade' Jenny & Johnny have excelled themselves as songwriters and collaborators. The narrative of 'Switchblade' is the stuff of movie magic, don't be surprised to see it credited as the inspiration for some coming of age Indie budget celluloid some time in the none too distant future.

"You used to dine out on a Dollar,
with a switchblade in your coat.
You had your young mind the gutter,
you had your feet on the ground."

As Jenny sings "See you on the way up" to Johnny's "See you on the way down" the song recalls the tale of promiscuity and wasted youth. Similarly, 'Straight Edge Of The Blade', bites with its lyrical quips whilst paired with a feel good sound track to accompany the cynisism.........."There was a wise crack but you're not a bad dude, although you'd make bedroom eyes at a test tube," Elsewhere J & J have a slightly more attitudinal approach on the protest song 'Animal' and a near a cappella arrangement on 'While Men Are Dreaming'.

Whatever musical direction the duo have taken with I'm having Fun Now seems to have paid off with the exception of the sing-along laziness of 'Committed'. Johnny doing a near Lou Reed impression two thirds of the way through does not redeem the only low note on an otherwise flawless debut as a couple.

Each song on the album has a distinct character and personality that can quite easily stand alone and be heard in isolation. You don't need to hear the album in its entirety to appreciate its collective beauty, however, if you do it will only serve to emphasise just how good I'm Having Fun Now is. The quality of the songs, the harmonisation of the vocals and the smooth, but not banal production all seamlessly link the debut set. This slightly left of centre, often 60's leaning clever piece of Alt-Pop may have arrived late but should still make the 'Best Of' album lists due to hit your in box any day soon.

Andrew Lockwood