Under the Black Light

It's clear Rilo Kiley are testing new grounds, there is a clear shift. To the amazement of many people, it features guitar riffs to pop songs. Of course Rilo Kiley was always somewhat irreverent. But this time they doubled the dose, with a bitter cynicism - a riff of George Harrison? - and a travel through time tunnel back to 70s.
Many will find the first four tracks odd and bizarre. They show none of the tender aspects of Rilo Kiley as we know it. No more loving and adorable ballads.
But listeners will reach a safe ground at title track and beyond. This new album doesn't sound like the *indie* Rilo Kiley. But mature as it may be, it may not be exactly what fans were waiting for. Somewhere between a good song or another, it lacks the magic and chemistry that mesmerized so many in the past.
Anyway, we shall not judge this excellent band by one album. Their career is consistently reaching a higher quality level, so please praise Rilo Kiley!

The long-awaited new Rilo Kiley album, Under the Blacklight, may not be what same fans expected. A far cry from tracks such as 'My Slumbering Heart' and 'A Better Son/Daughter', this album evokes more R&B tones than were anticipated. Though it may not quite be the Rilo Kiley that many fans remember, the songs on this album attest to the fact that both Jenny Lewis and the rest of the band have stuck to their guns and come up with something new and appealing. My faith in Rilo Kiley is reaffirmed!

There's no way Rilo Kiley could have topped More Adventurous. There, I've said it. I consider that album to be a masterpiece, and this one is not quite that. However, it is still an entertaining listen. Once you get past their radical style change, you can enjoy these songs.

The album kicks off with Silver Lining, the best song on the album and one of the best they have ever done. Great use of George Harrison's guitar arrangement from "My Sweet Lord" as well. They follow this with Close Call, a nice rocker with some great lyrics. Next is The Moneymaker, which has already gotten some publicity, both good and bad. Some say that this song completely abandons clever lyric writing and inventive song structures for catchy hooks and sing along choruses. This is true, but it remains a great song nonetheless.

Breakin' Up is the biggest pop song on the record. It is very sugary sweet and a fun song, although the backup vocals are very annoying, almost throwing off the balance of the song. Under The Blacklight is bookended by some great synth effects, and sandwiched in between is a great song, almost soulful. Dreamworld is Blake Sennett's only lead vocal, and it is a good one. I've read reviews online criticizing this song, but I like it a lot. It's got some great lyrics and is very catchy.

Dejalo is kind of a departure, almost disco-like. A decent song, although the Spanish chorus is a little too cute. The band makes up for it with 15, a delightful number with some risque subject matter. However, they follow that up with Smoke Detector, the worst song on the album. The guitar playing and the rhythms are fine, but the lyrics and the choruses are unoriginal and even laughable.

The Angels Hung Around is a more downbeat number, but a great one, another soulful tune making great use of Jenny Lewis' amazing range. The album closes with Give A Little Love, a nice ending number, if a little forgettable.

People are either loving or hating this album. Some are crying "Sellout!" while others are praising them going in a new direction. I belong in the latter group. While I feel that there are some stumbles here and there, this is overall a very enjoyable record. The band is at the top of their game, musicianship wise. Blake Sennett plays great guitar and Jenny Lewis still has that sarcastic, bad girl sexuality that everyone adores. While Under The Blacklight is not the record that More Adventurous is, it is a successful first step in a new direction!

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