Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion – What
Music Should Sound Like by Guest Writer, Melinda
Let me preface this review by telling
you that I am not normally one who goes for the whole artsy, rocker
grrrl genre. Spin some Biggie or Jay-Z and I am ready to jam. I
have always felt pretty comfortable with my limited musical tastes –
that is ….until I opened Jen Kearney's website
(www.jenkearney.com). W-T-F
…. why didn't I know about this chick? She is absolutely amazing!
I feel as though a whole new world of musical options has been opened
to me care of Jen Kearney and her band, The Lost Onion. 
Now, let's see if I can put this into terms that one with as little musical culture as I, can understand. I think of Kearney's sound as something like a cross between the vocal stylings of Fiona Apple and the musical talents of a more mature Tori Amos. (I hope I haven't offended anyone ...ya still with me, ok, perfect...) Some critics have even compared Jen's voice to Stevie Wonder, which I absolutely agree with (not to say that Fiona sounds like Stevie....hmm). Her biting lyrics such as “. . . Trudge as you may, Try as you might, Through the mud and the water, You claw and you bite, But you won’t let go of your greed...” coupled with smooth, funky, jazzy, instrumentation threw me into a musical trance that was only broken by a screaming child outside (I like kids ...really, I do...).
Now, let's see if I can put this into terms that one with as little musical culture as I, can understand. I think of Kearney's sound as something like a cross between the vocal stylings of Fiona Apple and the musical talents of a more mature Tori Amos. (I hope I haven't offended anyone ...ya still with me, ok, perfect...) Some critics have even compared Jen's voice to Stevie Wonder, which I absolutely agree with (not to say that Fiona sounds like Stevie....hmm). Her biting lyrics such as “. . . Trudge as you may, Try as you might, Through the mud and the water, You claw and you bite, But you won’t let go of your greed...” coupled with smooth, funky, jazzy, instrumentation threw me into a musical trance that was only broken by a screaming child outside (I like kids ...really, I do...).
Putting all of my dated 90's references
aside. You have got to check out Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion.
Even if you think you don't normally dig this type of music …
Kearney will change your mind. The group has put out three albums:
Bravery (2002), Eat (206), and The Year of the Ox
(2009). You can listen to many songs from these albums on the
website, www.jenkearney.com.
You can also purchase the albums at this site ...do it – buy them
all. If you are lucky enough to live in the Cambridge, Massachusetts
area, you can check out Jen Kearney and the Lost Onion every Monday
night at Toad. If you live nearby and you don't attend – shame on
you!
Now, crank up Kearney's “Warm Bath
Eyes,” rock the stunna shades, and put a frosty Hurricane in your
left hand (you will need your right hand free to snap along). Close
your eyes and let the big jazz sound transport you to a street party
in New Orleans. Can you hear it? Can you feel it? This is what
jazzy, edgy, and soulful are supposed to sound like. Go on,
get up...dance and be groovy!
I give this one 3 sips!
We've all heard it ..sip, sip, sip –
Now I'll use the phrase in a way that doesn't annoy me:
Sip: Boooo
Sip, Sip: check it out, you might like
it
Sip, Sip, Sip: WOOT!! You have got to
try this!!
