Album of the Week #44: "Under the Blacklight" by Rilo Kiley

John

I'm feeling out of touch. Yet another artists I've never heard of. But the votes are what matters so who are these chappies and what are they like?

BaZmO*

John wrote: »

I'm feeling out of touch. Yet another artists I've never heard of.

Surely you've heard Portions For Foxes before? Fantastic song. Tom Dunne always plays it on his show.

With regards to Under The Blacklight, I really can't get enough of this album. I don't think there's a bad song on it. Proof that you can still make good music that's alternative but also has one foot firmly planted in the Pop camp.

Highlights on the album are the opening track, "Silver Lining" and "Dreamworld" (which is very like Fleetwood Mac......In a good way! )

There is nothing particularly ground breaking about this album but what it is is an album chocked full of cracking songs to be enjoyed over and over again.

johnny_ultimate

Fantastic album, after the two previous fantastic albums
Admittedly there are a couple of slightly dull tracks on this one (most notably in the middle) but a large majority of the songs are funky slices of greatness. Breaking Up is one of my favourite Kiley tracks ever, and the likes of 'Smoke Detector' and 'The Angels Hung Around' are excellent, and admirably different from previous Kiley albums.

Possibly not as great as More Adventerous, but another gem from one of my favourite bands (check out Jenny Lewis' solo album too - very good indeed).

Jonny Arson

in what for me has been a pretty poor year for albums, Under the Backlight has undoubtedly been one of the highlights

like the previous poster, i wouldn't say this is their best album as likewise i feel More Adventurous is their best work. however Under the Backlight, out of all their four albums, has such character about it that it captures the perfect balance between catchy pop sensibilities and their country roots. even though song for song More Adventurous for me is their best work, Under the Backlight is an album that is their most accessible record and may gain a brand new fanbase

it's simply an enjoyable short burst of a 30 minute listen, great stuff

catch--22

Good choice of album here. Perfect pop/alt cross-over imo. 'Close Call' is my latest favorite and indeed an album I find myself floating back to every now and again.

sprinkles

Really is excellent album... bordering on country at times but me likes!!!

"deep as a graveyard, wide as tv" lyrical genius!

catch--22

John wrote: »

I'm feeling out of touch. Yet another artists I've never heard of. But the votes are what matters so who are these chappies and what are they like?

Just a thought John;

Maybe when you put up an album of the week you could put a poll with the tracks on it so people could also vote for their favorite track of the album so first time listeners know what to look out for when they get their hands on a copy. You might not have enough options though in the poll...I'm not sure.

Just a suggestion.

John

That's not a bad idea, although I think the maximum number of poll options is 10 so they'll all have to be 10 tracks or less!

sprinkles

maybe people could link to the bands myspace page or similar - not saying you have to do it John but if someone knows somewhere that streams the music legally then link ot it. The poll is a good idea though

BaZmO*

John wrote:

That's not a bad idea, although I think the maximum number of poll options is 10 so they'll all have to be 10 tracks or less!

Can mods not do more than 10? I thought I saw a Poll recently with more than 10 options, although it might've been created by an admin.

sprinkles wrote: »

maybe people could link to the bands myspace page or similar - not saying you have to do it John but if someone knows somewhere that streams the music legally then link ot it. The poll is a good idea though

In fairness though, it wouldn't exactly take a brain surgeon to work out how to find a band's myspace page on that new fangled internet thingamajig.

sprinkles

true - still though anything to make my life easier

John

BaZmO* wrote: »

Can mods not do more than 10? I thought I saw a Poll recently with more than 10 options, although it might've been created by an admin.

Just did a test there, I think it's admins only as it would only let me put 10 max

grumpy 'ol man

Picked up this album after seeing many good words written about it. I think it's middle of the road, suprised it's not selling more actually.