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Under the Blacklight
by Warner Bros.
| List Price: |
$13.99 |
| Price: |
$12.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. |
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$1.00 (7%) |
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Audio CD
Publisher: Warner Bros.
Rilo Kiley’s most recent album, 2004’s More Adventurous, prompted Elvis Costello to praise the best lyric writing that I’ve heard in many a day, Coldplay to invite the band on its 2005 arena tour and a plethora of critics to vote the disc onto annual best of lists. That album sold 175,000 while Jenny Lewis’ solo record, 2006’s Rabbit Fur Coat, sold 100,000. Now the gloriously decadent Under The Blacklight, the group’s fourth album but first for Warner Bros., focuses even more intensely on what one critic has called lead singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis’ tangle of indie pop, torch song and too-cool-for-school cynicism. With Under The Blacklight, Rilo Kiley is ready to shine.
Since her band's last record (2004's More Adventurous), Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis has taken her one-time child-actress, pop-star status up a level, as her charismatic solo effort, Rabbit Fur Coat, was one of the top recordings of 2006. But those who feared she'd abandon her long-time mates to do it alone will be instantly comforted by a collection of songs so zestful and extravagantly produced that no less than four emerge tailor-made for pop radio. After the opener "Silver Lining" feeds off George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" riff and some cajoling handclaps, Lewis reels in the glee with "Close Call," where the lavishness of the melodies outweighs the foreboding lyrics. The bouncy "Breaking Up," with the sun-splashed chorus "feels good to be free," is so absolutely California-beach perfect, it's ripe for a million-selling soda commercial, and then Lewis saves her vocal best for a trifecta near the end: Dusty Springfield soul ("15"), dancefloor power pop ("Smoke Detector"), and meltaway folk ("The Angels Hung Around"). Did it take their angel leaving the nest for a spell for Rilo Kiley to make their definitive record? The argument is futile, but the music is sublime. --Scott Holter
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| Not worth the aggravation |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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I held out for so long. Eleven months resisting the temptaion to buy this album. I was excited before it came out, but when I started to hear a couple of songs on the radio and then heard samples of others, I was instantly turned off.
It just wasn't the same Rilo Kiley. I respect their right to try something different, but this try is a FAILURE. I should have resisted and saved the $11. Still looking forward to Jenny Lewis' next solo album though.
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| 4-1/2 stars -- Shine on... |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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Although the band Rilo Kiley is mostly made up of former child actors, their names really didn't ring a bell to me. I had never heard of Jenny Lewis before, and the only place I remember Blake Sennett from was Salute Your Shorts (although he went by Blake Soper then). But the reason why it probably took a while for people to notice the band is because they are on Barsuk Records, and it always takes a while for those artists to get the exposure they deserve (ask Death Cab for Cutie). Still, I never would have heard of the band had it not been for some Wikipedia rumor that they were going to perform on the 33rd season premiere of Saturday Night Live after Amy Winehouse pulled out, but I'm sure glad I did.
Under the Blacklight is easily one of the best albums that came out last year. Jenny handles most of the lead vocals, and she handles them well, whether the songs are metaphors ("Silver Lining"; "The Angels Hung Around"), dysfunctional families ("15"), or songs that are just plain good ("Dejalo"; "Give a Little Love"). But Blake also does a good job handling the mic on "Dreamworld".
I knocked off half a star because at the end of the otherwise good "Breakin' Up", Jenny sings that "it feels good to be free" part in an odd tone. But the rest of Under the Blacklight is stellar enough for you to not even care, so pick it up.
Anthony Rupert
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| The Silver Lining |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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While watching Logo one night I came across the video for "Silver Lining" and realized I had never heard of Rilo Kiley. That's right they are one of those bands that seemed to have fallen below my radar though they've been together since '98 and the lead singer even released a solo album.
What caught my attention at first made me think they were trying to be a harder version of Tori Amos, but the more I got into "Silver Lining" I realized how cool it was, and the rest of the album Under The Black Light is just as entertaining.
Not as brutal as a full on rock band yet not nearly as eccentric as Tori - they're more of an alternative set of the 80's combining some country-ish hooks with piano laden pop and rock. A bit like Miss Derringer minus the constant old west nods. It's pretty entertaining overall with "The Angels Hung Around" being a fun little highlight but "Silver Lining" is by far the best track.
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| Usually a big fan, but . . . |
| Customer Rating: 2 out of 5 |
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First off, I love "The Execution of all Things", really like "Take Offs and Landings", and "More Adventurous" is okay, but this new one is total CRAP! Just Awful. I even own "Rabbit Fur Coat", and both of The Elected's discs, and "Under the Blacklight" is easily the worst of the whole bunch.
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| Thank you Jenny & Rilo Kiley |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Having loved their "more adventerous" album, esp. "It's A Hit" and many other greats that offered. Following Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins and hearing "Rise Up With Fists" - I can fully see how "Silver Lining" has developed, awesome guitar work!!! 5/5 now this song should be a "hit".
The album is a lot more pop rock than alternaive but Jenny has a very strong controlled voice she treats us to some "ohhh's and ahhh's" particularly in "Close Call", "Breakin' Up", and "The Angels Hung Around".
Other favourites include: "15", and "Dejalo". All in all the album start to finish is listenable, very rare these days and I am glad to be spending money on artists like Rilo Kiley who don't produce junk, rather they produce quality pop infested tunes. It is a shame that most of their stuff won't get played in Auckland, NZ, however I am hopeful to see them on tour maybe some day and only wish they get more exposure to stadiums but hopefully the pressure doesn't ruin them!! Keep strong Rilo Kiley and thanks for a wonderful new album.
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Silver Lining
Close Call
The Moneymaker
Breakin' Up
Under the Blacklight
Dreamworld
Dejalo
15
Smoke Detector
The Angels Hung Around
Give a Little Love
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