Project Runway Season 5: The Finale has Come and Gone

I cannot believe that Project Runway Season 5 has ended. Where was all the hub-bub? The big deal reunion show, the viewing parties? I felt no great amount of suspense during this season, and to be honest, I was much less excited about this than I typically am for the Season Finale of ProjRun. Nevertheless, I still want to talk about it.

Let's talk about PR first, an all female top-three. Bitchfest '08, that is what this entire season has been and appropriately ended as such. Kenley and Leanne were being snarky to each other in the confessionals and Korto, at all times looking as if she's about smack a bitch, or cry at any moment. I did truly enjoy all of their collections and appreciated the strength of their points of view.

Kenley sent nothing but vintage reproductions down the runway. Her painted fabric was cool, but it would have been cooler if she had been more innovative and not copied every other designer in history's patterns. She is the snarkiest of the bitches on Project Runway, and she started out okay. This is what too much air time can does for a person who is socially retarded.

Korto's line was lovely. She is truly a master at infusing her african/tribal point-of-view without it being too heavy handed. I died over the green, silk-taffeta mini dress, and her finale dress. Bottom line: her clothing is extremely accessible. Home-girls gotta keep doin' what she's doin' because the design world has room for that at present.

Really though, Leanne was the clear winner of ProjRun Season 5. Her wave inspiration and love of architectural construction married so well in her collection begetting clothes that were wearable, whimsical, and indelibly chic. The colors were delightful, and I might venture to say that her Bridesmaid dress was one of my favorite garments of the season.

One of the things I love most about ProjRun is that it does not choose politics or production value over true talent. There is no "America Votes" element to PR; Nina, Michael, and Heidi evaluate if the clothes are truly high enough caliber to make it in the fashion industry. It's a low bullshit operation.

KikiSay: To the winner go the spoils! Congrats Leanne, we all knew it would be you halfway through the season.

I've Got "Acid Tongue" in My Ears.

When I hear that a new Jenny Lewis Album is coming out- I automatically know that I will buy it-whether it be Rilo Kiley or a solo record. Her work is smart, interesting, and innovative; the latest in Jenny’s list of achievements, “Acid Tongue” is no exception.

Imagine Southern Rock n’ roll from a female perspective and you have Acid Tongue, a more sensual tribute to 1960’s and 70’s southern rock. Jenny Lewis follows up 2006’s “Rabbit Fur Coat”, an excellent album, decidedly blue grass in style, with a more rock n’ roll take on her alt-country, southwestern influences. Both the “The Next Messiah”, and “Jack Killed Mom” have a compelling and Cash-like darkness that hearkens to everyman.


More than a few L.A. music -scene vets contributed to Acid Tongue. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward of She & Him lend their Dixie quality to the disk on tracks “Pretty Bird” and “Carpetbaggers” to name a few. Zooey on backup vocals is no replacement for “Rabbit Fur Coat’s” Watson Twins, but her much huskier alto is a good compliment to Lewis’s affected mezzo-soprano. Elvis Costello chimes in on “Carpetbaggers” and Chris Robinson of the Black Crowes sings back up on several songs, including the title track.


Personal favorites on the new album are “Godspeed,” “See Fernando,” and of course, the title track “Acid Tongue.” Acid Tongue speaks of a turn away from religion to seek truth in nature and introspective drug experience, the album exemplifies the journey life takes while one is turning away from away from a more organized sense of spirituality and how relationships form and dissipate in the wake of such revelations. Jenny’s lyrics sing “To be lonely is a habit, like smokin’ or takin’ drugs, and I’ve quit them both, but man was it rough.”


Though I totally dig “Acid Tongue”, I must say it feels just a bit like “Under the Blacklight-Before I was Blinded.” Lewis admitted to using a few songs that were cut from “Black Light” on her most recent album, and it seems to me that A.T. is a better executed prequel to the Rilo Kiley predecessor.


KikiSay: Jenny Lewis's "Acid Tongue" is a no-brainer, download and enjoy.