Jenny Lewis traffics in spiky pop and sad country music as leader of Rilo Kiley, and she left a memorable impression as a backing vocalist on "Give Up," the hit debut of electronic duo The Postal Service. Both bands showcase Lewis's flair for bold but relatable confessionals, and Rabbit Fur Coat goes a step further, calling more attention to her thin but expressive vocals by using spare and unobtrusive instrumentation.
On "Handle with Care," the singer tackles The Traveling Wilburys' 1988 hit, in an inspired cover that recasts the original's all-star lineup with modern-day equivalents: Ben Gibbard (of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service) serves as a natural replacement for Roy Orbison, while the world-weary warble of Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst stands in for the world-weary croak of Bob Dylan.
A bit brisker than the original, but without Jeff Lynne's lush production sparkle, this incarnation of "Handle with Care" could even help spark a Wilbury renaissance -- both of the band's out-of-print albums are tentatively slated for reissue later this year -- when it's not aiding Lewis in her richly deserved rise to stardom.
Listen to yesterday's "Song of the Day."
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