Under the Blacklight

Rilo Kiley | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 21, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Warner/Reprise/Maverick
• ASIN: B000QUUE1Y
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,270 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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

Product Description

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not overwhelming, but still a band with a consistent career, August 28, 2007

By 

Andreia Hamada "deca-10kmaniacs" (Sao Paulo, SP Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Blacklight (Audio CD)

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!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rilo Kiley Returns, September 7, 2007

By 

Stevens - See all my reviews

This review is from: Under the Blacklight (Audio CD)

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!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Different Yet Still Appealing, August 27, 2007

By 

Andrew Ramseyer "Blonde Almond" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Under the Blacklight (Audio CD)

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!