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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
There had to have been doubts, after Rilo Kiley lead girl Jenny Lewis’ successful solo sojourn with the Watson Twins (2006’s sumptuous, acclaimed Rabbit Fur Coat album), that she would ever come home to roost. There was no obvious need--she was the recognisable face of the band as it was, and had gone on to distil Rilo Kiley’s sharp-witted alt-country pleasantry down to its roots and add an irresistible wholesomeness, the grace of a bygone age. But we find her back fronting Rilo Kiley, if only to prove that she’s an indie diva on the rise and can wear any boot she sees fit. And here, on Under The Blacklight, we find her in sequinned disco boots ("Breakin’ Up" is like something off Bright Eyes’ Digital Ash album if the benchmark were Donna Summer’s back catalogue), 60s girl group heels (the crying out for its own dance "Smoke Detector"), legwarmers ("Dejalo" is a low-light Gloria Estefan/Madonna-esque strut) and the old fashioned tan suede we were used to (the gorgeous "Close Call" should satisfy anyone who fell in love with "It’s a Hit" from their last record). It’s quite a distinct upturn in style for the band who forge on with steely determination, perhaps at the expense of the soft skinned appeal of More Adventurous, but ensuring that there’s enough momentum to see them safe for a few years yet. --James Berry
Review
Nearly two years on from the universally-acclaimed Watson Twins collaboration, Rabbit Fur Coat, Jenny Lewis returns to her day job with LA band Rilo Kiley. Having firmly located the former indie-rockers in the mainstream with their last effort, More Adventurous, Under The Blacklight goes one step further in its bittersweetly effortless pop.
Mainly written by the talented Ms Lewis (with occasional help from guitarist, Blake Sennet) Under!is a mixture of sun-drenched innocent West Coast rock and smatterings of crystalline electro-pop, but leavened with a lyrical tartness that's definitely adult in content or, at least, implication. Assuming some kind of autobiographical content, from this evidence Lewis has been through some trying times but has turned every one into positive lyrical gold. If "Under The Blacklight" details a relationship founded on alcoholism and abuse there's always the couplet from "Silver Lining" about how she '!never felt so wicked as when I willed our love to die'. Going on to sing: 'Hooray, hooray I was your silver lining. Hooray, hooray but now I'm gone'. "Breakin' Up" goes even further in its celebration of freedom, and by the time you get to "Smoke Detector" she's positively revelling in her new found availability. Like I said. It's for adults.
Surely no one now regards owning up to liking Tusk-period Fleetwood Mac as a guilty pleasure, but it's still a bit of a shock to hear the echoes of Nicks and Buckingham in a lot of this album. There's nary a hint of indie rockdom in this band anymore, and frankly that's all a good thing. Delivered with a purity of voice that always seduces, hopefully Lewis and Rilo Kiley will now seize the day and steer us all into a world where such pop perfection is valued again. --Chris Jones
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I have been a huge fan of Rilo Kiley for the past few years, ever since hearing the sublime It's a Hit. I loved their slightly dishevelled, college folk/rock stylings.
This album however, well it's as though a different band made it. It's so polished you could see your face in it! The lyrics aren't as punchy, and if it wasn't for Jenny's distinctive angelic vocals, I wouldn't have guessed it was Rilo Kiley at all!.
However... this doesn't mean I don't like it - in fact the opposite is true, I think it's a real pop gem. People are so disparaging of pop music, but that's only because of 'artists' such as Madonna - real pure pop is excellent, and Rilo Kiley prove this on 'Under The Black Light'.
The opener 'Silver Lining' is a dreamy, beautiful intro to the album, I loved it from the minute I heard it. Other highlights for me are the absolutely fantastic Smoke Detector (how can other reviewers not like it?!) - which has a 60s surfy style to it, and is so catchy, you'll be singing and clapping along to it...
I was also pleasantly surprised by 'Dreamworld' as I hated Blake's vocals on 'August' on the last album. It's got a Fleetwood Mac-esque sound to it, which is no bad thing, as they produced some fine pop music.
I don't hate any of the tracks on UTBL, although am not a big fan of Moneymaker, it's just a bit too slow & dreary for my liking!
All in all, I'd say it's a solid effort, and a good addition to any Rilo Kiley fan's collection... I had to give it 4 stars though, as it just isn't quite in the same league as More Adventurous.
This album however, well it's as though a different band made it. It's so polished you could see your face in it! The lyrics aren't as punchy, and if it wasn't for Jenny's distinctive angelic vocals, I wouldn't have guessed it was Rilo Kiley at all!.
However... this doesn't mean I don't like it - in fact the opposite is true, I think it's a real pop gem. People are so disparaging of pop music, but that's only because of 'artists' such as Madonna - real pure pop is excellent, and Rilo Kiley prove this on 'Under The Black Light'.
The opener 'Silver Lining' is a dreamy, beautiful intro to the album, I loved it from the minute I heard it. Other highlights for me are the absolutely fantastic Smoke Detector (how can other reviewers not like it?!) - which has a 60s surfy style to it, and is so catchy, you'll be singing and clapping along to it...
I was also pleasantly surprised by 'Dreamworld' as I hated Blake's vocals on 'August' on the last album. It's got a Fleetwood Mac-esque sound to it, which is no bad thing, as they produced some fine pop music.
I don't hate any of the tracks on UTBL, although am not a big fan of Moneymaker, it's just a bit too slow & dreary for my liking!
All in all, I'd say it's a solid effort, and a good addition to any Rilo Kiley fan's collection... I had to give it 4 stars though, as it just isn't quite in the same league as More Adventurous.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Given the backlash from long-term Rilo Kiley fans, and a number of disappointing returns from bands and singers that I like recently, I felt a slight air of apprehension towards this album. It is with great relief that I find it to be an enjoyable and fun listen.
Much of what has been said about it is true - a lot of the lyrics have been "dumbed down" when compared to some of their earlier work, and yes their sound has changed. But what people seem to forget is that Rilo Kiley have changed their sound with every album. From the low-fi indie-pop of Take Offs & Landings to the more accomplished indie sound of Execution, through to the beautiful and under-stated folky-indie-pop of More Adventurous. Add in the countryesque influence of Jenny's solo album and the retro sound of The Elected (Blake's other band), and you have a creative force that is always on the move stylistically.
This album is definitely the closest to a mainstream pop sound that the band have ever toyed with, yet it still has substance and you can hear a number of their musical roots throughout it. "Give A Little Love" wouldn't have sounded out of place on their earlier EPs with its heavily synthesised backing, whilst title-track "Under The Blacklight" would have sounded at home on Jenny's solo album. Although the vocal on new single "Silver Lining" is performed by Jenny, it still sounds like it could have appeared on The Elected's last album, and "The Angels Hung Around" could just as easily have appeared on More Adventurous.
Provided you approach this album with no preconceptions of what a Rilo Kiley album "should" be, I think you'll enjoy it. To me it will never be up there with my personal favourite "More Adventurous"; many would argue that it doesn't compare with their first two albums. But that's kind of the point - it is the incomparability that makes each Rilo Kiley album an independent and worthwhile body of songs.
One final note - this is an album that should be heard live. Even the somewhat dire album low-point "Déjalo" sounds great in a live setting, and the band are absolutely on top form at the moment as a live act.
Much of what has been said about it is true - a lot of the lyrics have been "dumbed down" when compared to some of their earlier work, and yes their sound has changed. But what people seem to forget is that Rilo Kiley have changed their sound with every album. From the low-fi indie-pop of Take Offs & Landings to the more accomplished indie sound of Execution, through to the beautiful and under-stated folky-indie-pop of More Adventurous. Add in the countryesque influence of Jenny's solo album and the retro sound of The Elected (Blake's other band), and you have a creative force that is always on the move stylistically.
This album is definitely the closest to a mainstream pop sound that the band have ever toyed with, yet it still has substance and you can hear a number of their musical roots throughout it. "Give A Little Love" wouldn't have sounded out of place on their earlier EPs with its heavily synthesised backing, whilst title-track "Under The Blacklight" would have sounded at home on Jenny's solo album. Although the vocal on new single "Silver Lining" is performed by Jenny, it still sounds like it could have appeared on The Elected's last album, and "The Angels Hung Around" could just as easily have appeared on More Adventurous.
Provided you approach this album with no preconceptions of what a Rilo Kiley album "should" be, I think you'll enjoy it. To me it will never be up there with my personal favourite "More Adventurous"; many would argue that it doesn't compare with their first two albums. But that's kind of the point - it is the incomparability that makes each Rilo Kiley album an independent and worthwhile body of songs.
One final note - this is an album that should be heard live. Even the somewhat dire album low-point "Déjalo" sounds great in a live setting, and the band are absolutely on top form at the moment as a live act.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I read the review that Q published...I bought it on spec and admit I have played it a lot ever since... Some great songs but I do disagree when they compared it to Steely Dan's Can't Buy A Thrill. The Dan this is not! But shades of Blondie, country and pop ...really catchy infectious songs. Certainly makes me want to explore more of the back catalogue.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
full of little pop gems
I've dipped in and out of Rilo Kiley for a couple of years, and I fully enjoyed Jenny Lewis's solo album 'Rabbit Fur Coat' (which I'd highly recommend). Read more
Published on 22 July 2008 by le chic le freak
Sophisticated grown-up pop
I came to `Under the Blacklight' without having heard any of the band's earlier work, but aware of their reputation, and with Uncut's endorsement of the album as "the coolest thing... Read more
Published on 4 Jun 2008 by M. G. Wilson
Perfect Pop Pap
Bought this on the strength of the first album and the rather wonderful Rabbit Fur Coat, plus a glowing five-star review in Uncut. Heard it and was unsure. Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2008 by Twig
modern 70's soft rock
a sort of tribute to late 70's era Fleetwood mac but very much in their own style; conjures up powerful and seductive images of a cast of characters
Published on 7 Feb 2008 by Alister King
A decent album, but not as good as I'd hoped it'd be
The follow-up to 2004's excellent 'More Adventurous' from the LA-based Rilo Kiley was a highly anticipated release as yet another exceptional album would have proved too much for... Read more
Published on 24 Jan 2008 by A. Sweeney
Pop bores miss the point
This album highlights what pop and rock is all about. Popular culture at its best. Great tunes,vocals and musicians. Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2007 by James Waugh
Rumours 2007
Global Megacorps record company - "Well, we kinda like your quirkiness out here in LA, but it ain't playing well in Ohio. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2007 by Jeffrey M. Black
Very good but runs out of steam towards the end
The first seven tracks of this album are excellent but unfortunately the last 4 are pretty weak, which is a shame considering the whole album only runs for a total of 37 minutes. Read more
Published on 26 Sep 2007 by S. Cherry
A grower
I'll keep it short as I'll be repeating other reviewers. I love earlier Rilo Kiley. Jenny Lewis' album with the Watson Twins is one of my favourite albums of the last few years. Read more
Published on 11 Sep 2007 by Paul
yawn !
this is a hugely disappointing outing .
they sound a lot like other bands , a bit of Franz Ferdinand ,a bit of Madonna , a bit of the Killers
the lyrics are ordinary and... Read more
they sound a lot like other bands , a bit of Franz Ferdinand ,a bit of Madonna , a bit of the Killers
the lyrics are ordinary and... Read more
Published on 6 Sep 2007 by Paul A. Guillan
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