"I recently happened upon a copy of this disc and just popped it in, not expecting to be too impressed. And I wasn't. It was just another albu by another struggling New York singer/songwriter. The next night I gave it another listen, as some of the melodies had stuck with me and I found it getting more and more rotations in my stereo. The title track ("Last Time I Did Acid") is infectious. It's simple riff gives way to great, down-to-earth lyrics that make you feel like you were there. "Seattle" is a great little tune as well. These songs aren't particularly well-written or well-performed, but they stick with you. They make you want to listen again. I recommend this for anyone who likes a little originality in their music collection, and I would highly advise watching out for future releases from J-Lew. Time either breeds selling out or excellence, and I don't think we have to worry about the former from this guy."
Jeffrey Lewis: Last Time I Did Acid I Went Insane
idleone | Brighton, UK | 10/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Hi, firstly let me tell you how I discovered Jeffrey Lewis. I read a review for a radio show that he was appearing on, and though I missed the show (Really wish I hadn't now) I found the review intriguing, so tried to download a song or two of his to hear what he sounded like... I downloaded Chelsea Hotel...song, and thought it was really sweet and pretty much up my street (believe me; the title is misleading!) and so ended up getting the album on here.
When I first played it I was a little taken back by the home-made sound it has, but after listening to it a few more times realised it totally fits the character of the tracks, and I wouldn't have it any other way! The "live" feeling of it is interesting and his lyrics are honest and sincere... this album is a great mix of acoustic-picky hum-a-long songs to loud strummers. Unfortunately I don't think what I've said here has given it true justice, but basically, I totally love this album, before long I knew every word, and I love every track on it. Just buy it okay!! You woooon't regret it.
It's also good I think if you are secretly romantic at heart."
New sensation
Rachel E. Spence | Woodbridge, VA USA | 04/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think that this CD is amazing. I had never heard of Jeffrey Lewis until I heard one of his songs on a webpage. I ordered this CD without ever listening to any of it, and I instantly fell in love. Lewis' songs are insightful, he has a different type of voice and he talks about every day issues with girls and his band. His songs are ones with which most people can relate, and the listener (I did anyway) inevitable feels a connection to him. After hearing this CD I immediatly bought two more Jeff Lewis Band CDs, and I love them as well. I'd recomnmend this as a good starter CD if you've never heard the band."
Great Breakthrough Album
Thelma F Blitz | New York, NY USA | 10/19/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anti-folk punk Jeffrey Lewis is an amazing emerging artist playing to sold out clubs in the UK but not yet appreciated in his native US. Most Americans hung on the harshness of rap music will find the gentle wit, the humor, the child-like freshness of vision alien but may get into the good old rock and roll which Jeffrey is very capable of.
TLITA is his first CD. East River is a fantastic goof on she-rejected me- so- I'll- drown- myself -songs, where Lewis envisions himself in the river with phlegm and rot and rats, turning into scum, then joining up with some other female loser who threw herself in the river, became scum, so they can "become scum together."
The title song describes an advanced LSD trip with power and precision. Jef creates some rules for tripping, then glimpses the dark light of the negative void which acid can get you to, Without the Being who knows the nothingness it does feel and is "insane," This is the best song on the album . Jef got it totally right. Glad he came back to tell us about it.
The Chelsea Hotel Oral Sex song is a "hats off" to Leonard Cohen's masterpiece, Chelsea Hotel 2, where he remembers Janis Joplin "givin' me head on the unmade bed." Jeffrey Lewis, in a story telling mood, sings of the time his shyness made him miss the opportunity to follow in Cohen's footsteps but may well soon be the songwriting master he perceives Cohen to be.
There are so many indies artists vying for attention these days but Jeffrey Lewis is a real stand-out.
First albums have that break -through energy that make them exciting, and this is the first one to buy. If you like it as much as I do, you'll buy the second one too."