REVIEW: Jen Trynin, Gun Shy Trigger Happy (Warner)
- Al Muzer
Well on her way to an Aimee Mann-like cult following - former New Jersey (exit 135 on the Garden State Parkway) resident Jennifer Trynin took nearly three years to drop half her first name and unleash the follow-up to Cockamamie , her critically-acclaimed, 1994 debut.
A deeply personal break up diary set to music, the 13-song Gun Shy Trigger Happy utilizes feel, finesse, pop-smart songwriting, reserved instrumentation and a warm, smoky voice thick with waste and wistful sadness to convey Trynin's thoughtful, insightful, occasionally painful tales of insecurity, betrayal, weakness, disgust, second thought, lost love and heartbreak.
Despite the unwavering lyrical focus of her sophomore effort, Trynin sweetens her heartache and makes it accessible with musical touches that range from a bit of Mazzy-moodiness mixed with Cowboy Junkies vulnerability on "Everything" ; to a lush, melancholy, Fleetwood Mac-ish harmony groove that effortlessly propels "Getaway (February)" ; to the loud blast of alterna-pop crunch and "yeah, yeah, yeah," big-hook chorus that makes "Go Ahead" such a perfect choice as the first single.
Other (but not limited to) highlights of one of this year's best albums include: the "Shaft"-ish guitar intro, hip hop-stomp beat and irresistible pop hook that powers "Bore Me"; the chunky T-Rex-ish riff and punky vocal snarl of "If I"; a gentle, Joni Mitchell jazzed-funk confessional called "Writing Notes"; the crotch-rock riff, Dwight Twilley break and galloping rhythm punch of "Love Letter"; and the sinuous groove and bluesy starkness of "I Don't Need You."
