While it took Rilo Kiley the better part of a decade to rise through the indie rock ranks, frontwoman Jenny Lewis proved an immediate force to be reckoned with her 2006 solo debut, "Rabbit Fur Coat." Now on the heels of Rilo Kiley's 2007 career best seller "Under the Blacklight," Lewis is ready to unveil what else she's got up her sleeve with "Acid Tongue," due this week via her band's current home, Warner Bros.

"It rocks a little harder," Lewis says of the new set. On "Rabbit Fur Coat," which was released on pal Conor Oberst's label Team Love and has sold 129,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, she paired up with the Watson Twins for a folk- and-soul-influenced collection of songs that showcased her intimate side.

But with "Acid Tongue," her main objective going into the studio was to cut as many songs live as possible. In January, Lewis and co-producers Johnathan Rice, "Farmer" Dave Scher and Jason Leder retreated to Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, Calif., for three weeks of all-analog recording sessions. "The vibes were fantastic," she says.

The album features guest spots from a number of Lewis' friends, including Elvis Costello, who duets with her on "Carpetbaggers"; the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson; and current beau Rice. Zooey Deschanel offers backing vocals on several tracks ("I love being flanked by hot brunettes," Lewis says), and Deschanel's She & Him cohort M. Ward provides a moody guitar part on "Pretty Bird." Lewis' sister Leslie also supplies backing vocals, and her dad, Eddie Gordon, plays bass harp on the honky-tonk-ish "Jack Killed Mom."