Customer Reviews

Take Offs & Landings

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Before I actually review this item let me say something; I may have a slight bias towards Rilo Kiley, as they were my first endeavor into indie music, however, I have no emotion bias towards this album among all the albums they've produced. Now, onto the actual review.

Rilo Kiley is on of the recent big things to hit the indie scene, but this was from their early days, this particular CD being released on Rilo Records originally (They only ever released one other thing on this label-- their EP which underwent several changes in title and was released three times, all with slight variances). Ben Gibbard (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, All-Time Quarterback) somehow managed to get a hold of this and, impressed, somehow got Rilo Kiley signed to Barsuk (The label to which Death Cab for Cutie is signed to), which brings us up to this record, featuring Rilo as the four-piece outfit of Jenny Lewis (Keyboardist, Guitarist, and Vocalist), Blake Sennet (Guitarist and Vocalist), Dave Rock (Drummer, later replaced by Jason Boesel after an apparent falling-out with the other members) and Pierre de Reeder (Bassist).

This album is a romp through a variety of musical genres, ranging from slow ballad-ish songs such as Small Figures in a Vast Expanse, a song about changing and often failing at it, to almost upbeat songs such as the carry-over song (it's a very modified version of an EP song) Always, a song about nogoodnic boys who always lie. Between the two there is a sprawling land of stylistic variance, with one underlying concept genre. Some of the standout songs on this particular album are Plane Crash in C, Science Vs. Romance, and Pictures of Success, though I couldn't say I didn't enjoy every song for some reason. Below is just a bit of information on the songs I mentioned above.

Plane Crash in C: A song that's actually rather catchy and lovely despite it's sort of slow-pace. A rather interesting trumpet line, too.

Science Vs. Romance: This is, without a doubt, some of the finest work Rilo Kiley has ever done. Though not ridiculous in it's pacing, this offering has a very popish feel to it, with Jenny singing on giving up beliefs in some of her finest pre-The Execution of All Things work.

Pictures of Success: The song that many, including this author, consider to be the crowning achievement on Take Off's and Landings. It's fairly slow for a tiny bit, but then picking up the pace, which only digresses back down to the pace it began at. One of the loveliest songs on this album, and quite possibly of their career (though their new stuff sounds pleasing as well), it contains geniuses lyrics, quite often leaving the listener lost amongst them.

This said, I feel that you should, however, make your own decision and not just rely on one reviewer in the end.

Bands like Rilo Kiley depress me. I mean, here is a band that has so much going for them, yet you just have to wonder where their place is in a music scene dominated by 15-year-old debutants, corporatized gangsta rappers and second generation Pearl Jam ripoffs. I love this band more than I can convey in words and yet I gotta ask what is in it for them? A couple indie releases and then what?

Having said that, there is no reason why you shouldn't order this album immediately. This is one of the few CDs that has totally impressed me in ages. These guys are already at the top of their game, and seeing them live recently just reinforced my admiration for all they have accomplished. They are truly rock stars in their own right, and it is just a darn shame that they are selling out the Troubadour when they should be selling out the Hollywood Bowl.

How Jenny and Blake remain optimistic enough to produce such beautiful and unaffected music is a testament to their talent and intelligence. Let's hope they receive some encouragement with their next release, because music like this deserves to be celebrated.

Take-offs and Landings is the epitome of excellent. Carefully sculpted songs sung with fervor by Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennet. With simple lyrics that convey raw emotions and talented vocals this cd is perfect for any day or night. Highlights include the tracks "Science vs. Romance" and "Pictures of Success." They mix pop-folk, with indie-pop effortlessly. When Jenny sings "and sometimes planes they smash up in the sky and sometimes lonely hearts they just get lonelier" You believe her and you want to assure her. This is indie music at it's finest.

After randomly hearing one Rilo Kiley song, I decided to buy the CD to check them out. I have to say that this is by far one of the best albums of 2001! Much of the music that is being produced lately all sounds the same, so it is nice to have something fresh. The melodies work well with the twisting lyrics, and Jenny and Blake's voices are so passionate, that you can't help but become wrapped up in it all. I only wish I can catch their live show now.

I'm not a big indie fan, or a big anything fan for that matter. I'll like a band or song here and there, but generally I shift through 'phases,' if you will, ranging from punk to rap to k-pop and opera. But I've absolutely adored Rilo Kiley since I first heard them about a year ago.

The vocals are amazing, with sort of an innocent sincerity, they're somehow absolutely profound. Coupled with relevant lyrics that either address new issues or put twists on cliche topics (lust, break ups, etc), the album's replay level is oddly high. I've whored it innumerable times and haven't even neared getting sick of it. Song structure also helps in making Rilo Kiley's sound distinguised and unique.

buy it! really!

got the album about 2 months ago. can't stop listening to it. just saw them for the first time at the knitting factory LA. they blew me away. from quiet acustic whispers to roaring fuzz, sometimes in the same song, this band exemplifies the sound and spirit of the indie rock movement that came to the fore in the early 90's. but it's no rehash. it's all new, exiting, and fresh. call it superchunk meets uncle tupelo meets liz phair meets tortoise meets pell mell meets throwing muses. in a world dominated by pre-packaged teen sensations and weak metal/rap hybrids with no musical ability and nothing to say, rilo kiley is a breath of fresh air and then some. quirky lyrics, infectious melodies, and the ability to pack an emotional punch make this one of the freshest, most interesting recordings to come down my musical pike in a while. buy it and enjoy

If you're wanting to check out Rilo Kiley, this is a good album to start out with. In my opinion, it is the most accessible of their albums, and contains some of their best work.

This is my personal favorite of all of Rilo Kiley's work to date. I started off with Jenny Lewis' solo album, "Rabbit Fur Coat", before moving on to Rilo Kiley discs. This album consists of indie pop melodies that are softer than the rock anthems in their later offerings, and these songs offer more surprises and addictively catchy hooks that will stay with you throughout the day.

Although the critics didn't receive this album as well as "More Adventurous" or "The Execution of All Things", I believe that this format plays more favorably to Jenny's vocals and is much more accessible than the later cds for first time listeners. If you are unfamiliar with Jenny, be prepared for a biting sarcasm and wit that is truly unparalleled. On this disc, she shows off her dynamic range as the songs often start out simply with Jenny taking more of a conversational approach, only to end in a powerful chorus that Jenny brings home.

If you're not into "indie pop", this is a good introduction as well. The tunes are as catchy as anything you'll hear on the radio, without the same degree of "over-the-topness"; after one listen you may not think much of it, but by the second time through, you'll be humming Rilo Kiley in your sleep.

We live in fractured, corrupt times. This album includes three cuts that would have won over the audiophiles a generation ago and given it the same eclat as primo Steely Dan or midperiod Beatles. I advert to 'Science vs. Romance', 'Picture of Success' and 'August'. The lyrics are just aces, but the musical compositions and performances are so imaginative, inspired and just right that you know you're in that perfect place that you thought they turned into a hideous McMansion for the new overbearing overclass. Who are these kids and why do they write such great songs? 'Picture of Success' is exactly what the latterday singer/songwriter daughters of John Lennon in his prime should be writing. All praises to Jenny Lewis and company!

Rilo Kiley's success lies not only in catchy indie rock melodies, but in Jenny Lewis as a vocalist. Her sweet voice confuses you over the method of her delivery, singing frequently wry, witty, off-beat and occasionally profane reflections on various modern topics, and giving them all a judicious spin. There's nothing ground-shattering about any of it, but there's an undeniable hook in virtually every song that pushes it above what is the standard.

"Picture of Success" is an obvious standout, and frequent fan favorite, but there's also "Science vs. Romance" and "Go Ahead," all three immediate winners of their niche. It does run a bit too long for its own good, with most of the lesser tracks coming on the second half, but it's better to have too much good than too little. Fans of their newer stuff may be surprised at how spare and elegiac some of these songs come off, but it's difficult to be bored by lovely compositions, even if a few of them suffer from clunky songwriting.

Best cuts: "Picture of Success," "Science vs. Romance," "August," "Go Ahead," "Always," "Don't Deconstruct," "Plane Crash in C," "Rest of My Life," "Bulletproof"