Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight

[Greg Dona]

Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight
Warner Brothers Records
August 21, 2007

When a band rides indie stardom to a major label deal, both long-time fans and detractors alike salivate at the prospect of writing said artists off as sellouts and commercialized whores. Such proved true for Rilo Kiley on their Warner Brothers debut, Under the Blacklight. However, in this case such accusations seem horribly misplaced.

With their fourth full-length record, Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennet, and co. produce an undeniably poppy disc. “Silver Lining” slides simple yet gorgeous piano lines and Lewis’s tender vocals under a folksy guise by way of twanging string parts. The creeping pace perfectly matches the tone of the song, and in the second tune we find one of the album’s most brilliant gems. The following “Close Call” brings the same pop sensibility, but here the band neglects to offer up any sort of mask for their infectiousness. Rilo Kiley serves up a remarkably poppy ditty lacking only the decidedly upbeat synth drive seemingly necessary to break modern radio. The aptly titled “Modern Radio” brings a twinge of the aforementioned electronic work to accessorize Jenny’s voice, the clear focal point of the ditty. It comes replete with instantly memorable choral work, pseudo-gospel anthems, and semi-instrumental solo work. Clearly Rilo Kiley went pop on Under the Blacklight. So what about the accusations rings absurd?

The band, one must remember, started as a pop band. Their middle albums brought a pop flair. This album simply intensifies that angle ever so slightly. Thus, the album marks not a monetarily inspired about-face but rather a natural progression. On “15” the crew incorporates a bevy of horns reminiscent of less intense ska acts and Kiley croons with a distinctive wail relatively unused on other pieces. “The Angles Hung Around” whips up a country disposition better suited for CMT than MTV, and “Smoke Detector” comes off like the sort of performance one expects from a dingy bar act in a remote county as opposed to professional musicians on a major label. Obviously this disc brings more than its fair share of non-mainstream bits. In short, critics miss the mark with the cries of “sellout” due not to a lack of pop from Rilo Kiley, but rather a career-long abundance of it.

These days, elitist fans of every artistic genre jump too quickly to dismiss overwhelmingly popular champions of their respective arenas as sellouts and fakes. Rilo Kiley, a recent victim of such a turning, shows with their Under the Blacklight just why listeners must not jump to such hasty conclusions; due to preconceived notions regarding the music industry, many potential fans will miss out on the band’s impressive (though not spectacular and hardly infallible) recent efforts. For shame.

[Kid Defender]

One of my favorite bands and easily one of the most dissapointing cds I have heard in a long time. I've complained about it enough, so I guess that's all I'll say.

[Finch076]

I agree with a lot of this review...esepcially the last line. This album isn't bad, per se, but it makes me long for the "Execution of All Things", "More Adventurous" and "Takes Offs and Landings" days so much. Those albums maybe were not as "produced" as this new one, but they were soooo much better.

It was just such a drastic change for the band and I'm still trying to get used to it. The "Ooh, it feels good to be free" part on song 4 is just such a departure from anything they've ever done, let alone anything in the indie-rock genre.

Either way, long live Jenny Lewis and her ridiculously great voice, looks and solo project.

[rogwave]

Yeah, no actually it is bad. Unlistenable almost.

[sell the sunris]

Agree with this review 100%

[doyouhas?]

Ummm - whatev. I fucking love this album. Oh wow - Rilo Kiley changed styles...for the 4th fucking time. They could've made More Adventurous Pt. II, but they didn't. And I'm grateful.

[straylightkid]

Ummm - whatev. I fucking love this album. Oh wow - Rilo Kiley changed styles...for the 4th fucking time. They could've made More Adventurous Pt. II, but they didn't. And I'm grateful.

seriously. rilo kiley can do no wrong.

[TJ Wells]

Under The Blacklight > The Execution Of All Things > More Adventurous > Take-Offs And Landings.

There, I said it.

[Drew Beringer]

I disagree with this review greatly. I think it's one of the better albums released this year, I like the different vibes and tempos throughout the album, it's sexier, it's a LA album, and I adore it.

[ilikefood]

i don't understand what the big deal with More Adventurous was.....in my opinion that was their least exciting album. Take offs, execution...both fucking awesome, all the way through. i can say the same for under the blacklight. every song is different, you can't get any two mixed up.

[irthesteve]

love the album, rilo kiley never make the same cd twice

[combatbaby]

Fuck the haters. I adore this album.

[Finch076]

Under The Blacklight > The Execution Of All Things > More Adventurous > Take-Offs And Landings.

There, I said it.

Blasphemy!

[theyconnect]

i think they can really do it all. this is probably my 3rd favorite cd of theirs. fair review.

[CurtyB]

I disagree with this review greatly. I think it's one of the better albums released this year, I like the different vibes and tempos throughout the album, it's sexier, it's a LA album, and I adore it.

exactly, exactly, exactly DB

[Greg Dona]

I disagree with this review greatly. I think it's one of the better albums released this year, I like the different vibes and tempos throughout the album, it's sexier, it's a LA album, and I adore it.
This was a fairly positive review. It was basically writing off the haters. What is it you disagree with. And what is "a LA album."

[TJ Wells]

Indie kids need to learn, poppier does not always mean worse.

[captainamazing4]

this album is really really good. i couldnt disagree with this review more, however i did like the review

[Greg Dona]

Indie kids need to learn, poppier does not always mean worse.
No freakin' joke. Pop music is some of the greatest music out there.

this album is really really good. i couldnt disagree with this review more, however i did like the review
That confuses me. I like the album. The review discredited those that don't. I'm not sure why you're hating on it.

[captainamazing4]

No freakin' joke. Pop music is some of the greatest music out there.


That confuses me. I like the album. The review discredited those that don't. I'm not sure why you're hating on it.

im not hating on your review. i liked it. i just used the wrong word...i meant "review score"

my bad

[huntingbears]

this isn't my favorite by them
but i do find the album to be refreshing
and i think it is one of the more decent albums of 07

[Greg Dona]

im not hating on your review. i liked it. i just used the wrong word...i meant "review score"

my bad
Fair enough. I feel like lots of people take the scores way too seriously despite their incongruence throughout the site. I'm making a definite effort to lower my scores so that when I do come across an album worthy of a 90% (I think I've only given one this year), it stands out that much more.

[Tony Pascarella]

I disagree with this review greatly. I think it's one of the better albums released this year, I like the different vibes and tempos throughout the album, it's sexier, it's a LA album, and I adore it.Agreed. One of my favorites this year.

[Greg Dona]

Agreed. One of my favorites this year.
Dang. What is it that everyone on staff seems to dislike so much about this review?

[captainamazing4]

Fair enough. I feel like lots of people take the scores way too seriously despite their incongruence throughout the site. I'm making a definite effort to lower my scores so that when I do come across an album worthy of a 90% (I think I've only given one this year), it stands out that much more.
and that's good by you. 90's should not be given out so easily. i respect your decision. lol

[cahrishurr]

#3 of the year and my favorite Rilo album

[lostintheair]

...seemingly necessary to break modern radio. The aptly titled “Modern Radio”...
uhh, you mean "the moneymaker" right?

[pressreturn]

I'm going to disagree with this review. I think that this is the album that Rilo Kiley needed to make. As much as I love More Adventurous, this album surpasses it. The melodies are better. The songs don't become mostly annoying after too many listens (I'm looking at you Portions For Foxes). Also, I don't think I've ever heard ska used in reference to anything about Rilo Kiley before. In closing, while many people will write this album off as "overproduced" or "poppy", it really shows just a shift in the band from writing catchy alt-country songs to writing catchy 70s pop songs. It's really not on the band whether or not someone likes or dislikes this disc. It is solely a matter of personal preference.

[ashesofapril234]

It took a little bit for me to fully accept the change in direction, but I really like this album.

[Greg Dona]

I'm going to disagree with this review. I think that this is the album that Rilo Kiley needed to make. As much as I love More Adventurous, this album surpasses it. The melodies are better. The songs don't become mostly annoying after too many listens (I'm looking at you Portions For Foxes). Also, I don't think I've ever heard ska used in reference to anything about Rilo Kiley before. In closing, while many people will write this album off as "overproduced" or "poppy", it really shows just a shift in the band from writing catchy alt-country songs to writing catchy 70s pop songs. It's really not on the band whether or not someone likes or dislikes this disc. It is solely a matter of personal preference.
Where did you get the impression that I don't think they needed to make this album? I said it was a natural progression. "Poppy" is not in any way shape or form an insult. You can disagree on the "ska" reference, but otherwise you seem to have missed the point. Holler if I'm being ignorant and don't get what you're saying.

[phaedrus]

I agree with the review for the most part. One thing I'll add is that moneymaker sounds like a shitty gwen stefani song. But I like the rest of the album.

[DeadPoetic]

Under The Blacklight > The Execution Of All Things > More Adventurous > Take-Offs And Landings.

There, I said it.

Agreed x 1,000,000.

Under The Blacklight is, musically, their best album.

[TJ Wells]

Agreed x 1,000,000.

Under The Blacklight is, musically, their best album.
Whoa, awesome. You are the first person (I believe) to agree with me. Hence, you rock.

[DeadPoetic]

Whoa, awesome. You are the first person (I believe) to agree with me. Hence, you rock.

The main complaint I've heard about this album is with the lyrics. The lyrics aren't as deep, the lyrics are rushed, the lyrics are repetitive, the lyrics are just plain bad. Et cetera. In my opinion, they're just different, that's all. Musically, this is a massive step forward. I've always liked Rilo Kiley but hearing most of this album live was something else entirely. Some of the guitar is nothing short of brilliant.

[Radb707]

Yeah, I still don't like the album.

But not because of any "sellout" thoughts or because it doesn't have the Rilo Kiley pop or whatever.

I don't like it because though musically they did evolve and do something different (and I respect them for that), it just...I don't know. It's just far less impressive than any of their previous stuff, far less melodic, less original, just less than, and it just feels weird hearing the 4th song about whores in LA when it's not from a Britney Spears album or something.

[Radb707]

The main complaint I've heard about this album is with the lyrics. The lyrics aren't as deep, the lyrics are rushed, the lyrics are repetitive, the lyrics are just plain bad. Et cetera. In my opinion, they're just different, that's all. Musically, this is a massive step forward. I've always liked Rilo Kiley but hearing most of this album live was something else entirely. Some of the guitar is nothing short of brilliant.

What? Guitar brilliant??

When? Compared to what? I think Execution of All Things was musically superior and it had the best guitar work in it. Even More Adventurous had more guitar work than Under the Blacklight.

But then again, maybe it's just a different experience live.

[Tony Pascarella]

Dang. What is it that everyone on staff seems to dislike so much about this review?I don't hate your review. I just really like this album. :-)

[mindscribbles]

silver lining is easily one of the best songs i've heard all summer, but besides that and dreamworld the rest of this album is pretty forgettable to me. in high school they were one of my favorite bands but i had sort of forgotten about them for a while, so its not as if i had high expectations for this album; i didnt even know it was coming out until it actually did. which is why im more disappointed by the fact that im disappointed, if that makes sense.

and more adventurous>execution of all things, under the blacklight and takeoffs and landings put together. the songwriting on that album is heartbreakingly good.

[Scott Irvine]

Under The Blacklight > The Execution Of All Things > More Adventurous > Take-Offs And Landings.

There, I said it.

That's just goddamn ridiculous. What the fuck are you thinking?

[adozenroses]

this record is actually damn good and if you dont like it then you're a fucking douchebag...yeah that's right im talking to you, idiot!

[Greg Dona]

this record is actually damn good and if you dont like it then you're a fucking douchebag...yeah that's right im talking to you, idiot!
Well articulated. Now who are you talking to?

[Keatsey]

Why don't people like this review? Because it doesn't make any sense.

Your review says you like the album. But then you went and scored it 71%? Color me confused. I saw your spiel about the score, but it just doesn't correlate. 71% does not say you liked the album.

And what is 'Modern Radio'? It's not on my copy of the album.

The ska reference was way off base. Just because it has horns doesn't mean it's ska.

I liked what you said about Rilo Kiley always having been a pop band, though.

[jay_klinkhammer]

Easily their catchiest CD. I LOVE this cd. It's so good.

[Greg Dona]

Your review says you like the album. But then you went and scored it 71%? Color me confused. I saw your spiel about the score, but it just doesn't correlate. 71% does not say you liked the album.
Unlike the vast majority of reviewers at AP.net, I score quite low. That way if I find an amazing album, giving it a 90% will mean that much more. I'm not willing to dole out 80% figures right and left.

[kigginsthisprov]

This album is really good.
I mean I don't really like country, I don't at all but some of the songs are an exception to me.
Changing, isn't bad at all.
And I reallyreally like their change.