Jenny And Johnny | Concert Review

Story by Jacob Zlomke 

| Published Sep 21, 2010

On Sept. 11 at the Waiting Room, the songwriting duo Jenny and Johnny performed to a crowd who were more or less unaware of Johnathan Rice and the rest of the band’s presence.

They were there not to listen to music or to watch a live performance. They were there explicitly to see Jenny Lewis with no other expectations. And when playing to 200 Jonas Brothers-caliber faithful with no expectations other than that the performer appears, it’s hard to disappoint.

So, in strictly that sense, Jenny — and Johnny and company by association — delivered.
But beyond the fanboy/girl screams — often times overpowering — and Rice’s somewhat timid vocal delivery, Jenny and Johnny did little to ignite any kind of passion for those not already members of Jenny Lewisism.

Lewis has been on stage for years — you can catch her in small-time silver-screen roles from the ‘80s and her band Rilo Kiley has been touring extensively since 1998 — and it shows. There is nothing organic to her performance between the mechanical bouncing around on stage and the rehearsed stage banter between songs. Lewis has become manufactured.

Rice, on the other hand, appeared to hold up his end of the bargain. His personal performance, though lacking in vocal dynamics, was energetic and fresh — at least when juxtaposed to Lewis.

The set did have its shining moments. One during the fast-paced “Animal” where Rice shines, and another when Lewis sang “Next Messiah” from her solo album Acid Tongue. Regrettably, these were overshadowed when the set closed with a duet between lovers Rice and Lewis singing an overtly tacky cover of “Love Hurts.”

The overarching problem of a Jenny and Johnny live affair, though, is that the music from the album translates perfectly into the live performance. The record, which has its own qualities, lacks an overall edge, so while the live show usually enhances the music from the record, in Jenny and Johnny’s case, it does nothing for it.

All in all, none of that matters as long as you’re head-over-heels for Lewis, because according to Omaha, she can’t fail.