Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard - Em Are I

On the upcoming Art Brut album lead singer Eddie Argos pays tribute to the albums made on a shoestring. While nowadays some bands can be accused of overproducing records, no one can claim Jeffrey Lewis is not retaining that slap dash art. Having toured the world on fans sofas, covered Crass songs and opened for Jarvis Cocker, Jeffrey Lewis is indie’s saviour. Taking on another band (The Junkyard) for latest offering ‘Em Are I’ we are a given a path into Lewis’ imaginative mind - and it sure is a treat.

You see despite people saying Jeffrey Lewis is twee beyond belief and an out of tune vocalist with a so-indie-it-hurts vibe, they forget the man has a hell of an imagination. Opening with ‘Slogans’ Lewis’ weak vocals receive a boost from the fast strumming guitars before changing to a sweet ode to public transport with ‘Roll Bus Roll’. It’s a quiet break from Lewis’ ambling guitars, yet both songs compliment each other perfectly across the album.

Live favourite ‘If Life Exists?’ is given a new burst of life with its’ complex guitars- yet it is again Lewis’ stories that really grab your attention. Only Jeffrey himself could get away with the tale of an illuminous pig in ‘Good Old Pig, Gone To Avalon’, and it’s the highlight of the album. Partnered with a theory of whistling past the graveyard so the corpses don’t tell you what happens when you die, each song brings a new world of life into your earphones.

No matter where you are, you cannot help picturing each one of Lewis’ songs - from heartbreak to hallucinatory - to give you a truly unique experience. Sure his notes may be a little off and the guitars sound like they were recorded in a tin can but it’s the heart, the songs and the stories which make us glad Jeffrey Lewis is here to share his imagination with us all.