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Rilo Kiley
"We felt honored and grateful to have our music on a show with the integrity and credibility that Dawson's Creek has so rightly earned," said Rilo Kiley vocalist Jenny Lewis. "We feel proud also that they chose to play our songs during such poignant points in the episode." Figures a child TV actor would look favorably on her band's tunes being heard in TV shows, which in addition to Dawson's Creek, included The O.C., Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Grey's Anatomy, Nip/Tuck and Weeds.
Lewis, whose credits include Troop Beverly Hills, was not the only former child actor in Rilo Kiley. Guitarist Blake Sennett was in Salute Your Shorts and Boy Meets World. But rather than spend their time being jaded, bitter, ex-child stars with major drug/alcohol problems they started a band with bassist Pierre de Reeder and drummer Dave Rock (replaced by Jason Boesel).
Evidently Bennett came across the name of some obscure athlete and decided that they should appropriate it. What he was doing consulting ancient sports almanacs remains an enduring mystery.
Rilo Kiley signed with Barsuk Records for their first full-length album, '01's "Take-Offs And Landings." The relationship with the label was short-lived and a year later the group moved to Saddle Creek Records for their sophomore release, "The Execution Of All Things." '04 saw the arrival of "More Adventurous" which was distributed by Warner Brothers. The album nailed significant Billboard chart action which led to late night TV appearances. Also, Rilo Kiley toured, opening for Coldplay, as their songs were heard regularly on TV.
The budding relationship with Warner Brothers grew to the point the band was signed directly to the label. They released "Under The Blacklight," featuring the singles, "The Moneymaker" and "Silver Lining," in September, '07. Rolling Stone magazine listed the effort as one of the Top 10 (#8) Albums of the Year.
The great thing about working with a major label is the promotional budget (for as long as the label thinks the group is a good investment) including money allocated for making a video. That allowed Rilo Kiley to hire porn stars to appear in "The Moneymaker" video. Makes sense. The "actors" were told they were in a soft-porn flick (rather than a music video). Good marketing all the way around.
Had Rilo Kiley started in Colorado, rather than L.A., their initial laid-back, Folk-Country sound would have made a bit more sense. "Take-Offs And Landings" fails to get off the ground so the question of landing is moot. With the exception of "Wires And Waves" and "Variations On A Theme (Silence Vs Romance)" there's little to recommend on this acoustic, one-dimensional, ballad heavy debut. "The Execution Of All Things" is better. For one, Lewis' whimsical delivery of serious lyrics is more developed and confident (one feeds the other). The title track, "My Slumbering Heart" and set closer, "Spectacular Views" are worth checking out.
"More Adventurous" still has the sparse, acoustic guitar/vocal songs, but there is more variety. The anti-war tracks, "It's A Hit" and "Love And War (11/11/46)" have some muscle while "Portions For Foxes," a song about how one (bad) thing leads to another, shows promise.
Rilo Kiley takes a darker, tougher turn on "Under The Blacklight." It's also the group's most stylistically diverse effort to date.
"Close Call" and "The Moneymaker" get down and dirty. Finally, songs with some sting. "Breakin' Up" with its big beat, synth pads and seductive vocals is a pleasing nod to Blondie. Referencing pretty much the same era, "Dejalo" provides a taste of disco-tinged pop.
Rilo Kiley has been called the new Fleetwood Mac - a rather dubious title to say the least. Compounding the problem is that in places they are reminiscent of the post- "Tusk" edition rather than the vintage "Rumours" era. Still. "Silver Lining," with its hand-claps and uplift, along with "Dreamworld" could have found a place on "Tango In The Night." Meanwhile, the L.A. dissing "The Angels Hung Around" is the kind of Country-Rock the Eagles used to do in their sleep. "15," a potent little R&B shot, has horns included.
On many albums the title track is the weakest. But not here. In fact, "Under The Blacklight's" killer melody and arrangement make it not only the album's strongest track but a flat-out killer cut.