Product Description

Fourth album from American indie darlings Rilo Kiley. A poppier, more immediate listen than their previous outings, this release finds the band in good form, with their unique brand of radio-friendly indie sounding more polished and honed than ever. Includes the single 'Moneymaker'.

Track Listing

1. Silver Lining
2. Close Call
3. Moneymaker
4. Breaking Up
5. Black Light
6. Dreamworld
7. De Jalo
8. Fifteen
9. Smoke Detector
10. Angels
11. Give A Little Love

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10110 in Music
• Released on: 2007-08-20
• Number of discs: 1

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

Q Magazine
'An album filled with gems' 4/5

Uncut
'The coolest thing recorded this year.....a quality album
choc-full of what we used to call hits'
Album Of The Month 5/5

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). I heard a lot about this new album of theirs, complete with 'sell-out' accusations, so I had a feeling I should check it out and see for myself. I'm very glad I did, because it's a wonderful album, packed with songs that will grow on you.

It's mostly a change from Rilo Kiley's past folky offerings (why does that sound dodgy?), instead focusing on disco beats and sweet pop melodies. This doesn't make it less worth listening to - in fact it's an accessible album that you can play in the car, at home... It's full of acute lyrical observations and sharp music, and the Fleetwood Mac comparisons are not without foundation. Jenny Lewis has a gorgeous voice, which goes from sweet to sassy in consecutive songs.

My favourite tracks would be Silver Lining, Moneymaker and Breakin' Up, which I think is one of the best break-up songs ever! Put on your dancing shoes, let the songs grab hold of you and I'm sure you'll like this record as much as I do.

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 recorded this year". That this is merely a very good album of sophisticated, grown up pop/rock, not a million miles from Fleetwood Mac's mid-seventies work was a surprise. Expectations can be a dangerous thing. Give it a little time though, and there's a lot here to enjoy. Rilo Kiley offer polished, classy songs with proper verses, choruses and hooks. As well as hints of the Mac, the charming, summery opener `Silver Lining' quotes the opening guitar figure of `My Sweet Lord' (a good thing) and sets toes tapping, but the title track is horribly reminiscent of The Corrs. That aside the album is consistently good, and the tunes will snag in your brain with repeated listening. Unfortunately for Rilo Kiley, `Under The Blacklight' lacks those killer songs needed to crossover into massive success.

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. Bit of George Harrison, bit of Fleetwood Mac - only blander. Listened to it again, and a couple of the tunes started to lodge themselves in my head. But not in a good way. In a Kylie, 'I should be so lucky; lucky, lucky, lucky' irritating, stop-it-and-leave-me-alone way. Suddenly, the name of the band made sense. 'Break'n u-u-up' and 'Smo-ow-ow-oke Detector' still plaguing me. Aargh! Make it go away...