"Silver Lining"

I agree with Brad DeLong, this is a good song:

A lot of Rilo Kiley fans I know seem to have been disappointed by the new album, Under the Black Light in general. Not me, I think it's pretty great and though it arguably lacks some of the pop triumphs of earlier albums, they do a better job of integrating their diverse stylistic interests into a consistent quality level.

Comments

Silver Lining is fine, but the album sort of sucks. For girl stuff, I prefer Tegan and Sara's new album. I also like Trophy by Coupleskate. Of course, for Jpop girl stuff, I like Aya Hirano (her single Love Gun) - the Japanese Avril Lavigne.

Posted by Dan the Man | October 30, 2007 2:10 PM

I also like this song. But, I heard "Breaking Up" this morning while getting ready, any holy hell -- it's like someone repeatedly beating you over the head with a baseball bat.

Here's the lyrics:
"
Are we BREAKING UP?!?!?! Are we BREAKING UP?!?!! Are we BREAKING UP?!?!?!

*10 minutes later* Are we ... BREAKING UP?!?!!
"

I mean, she is very attractive ... but if she sang that to me 4 million times like that, I'd have to break up.

Posted by Chris_ | October 30, 2007 2:47 PM

The "classic" dynamic really only lasted for the two albums where Jenny and Blake were a couple. The Initial Friend EP, especially the earlier pressings, was a lot more goofy, and More Adventurous was trying to keep the classic beat, but their hearts clearly weren't in it - the narrative slice of life bits are too direct and literal, clearly made-up stories about someone else, and the efforts on a few tracks to substitute death for love as the Big RK Theme don't really pan out.

In light of that, it would be silly to rag on them for trying to change it up a bit, but if you prefer their older stuff, try their side projects - Jenny's solo work and Blake's other band The Elected (which is, imo, the better of the two). They're more twang-literate-romantic-childhood-narrative, and it's interesting to hear their songwriting styles individually.

Posted by Senescent | October 30, 2007 2:49 PM

here it that song. It's alllmost catchy, but just too freaking annoying.

Posted by Chris_ | October 30, 2007 2:50 PM

And Chris - I've seen them in the flesh a few times, both on stage and about town. Both Jenny and Blake have the type of look where depending on how they're dressed and styled, they can look anywhere between pretty ugly and pretty attractive, it's largely that for public appearances Jenny puts effort into pushing herself towards the attractive pole, and Blake puts effort into pushing himself away.

Posted by Senescent | October 30, 2007 2:54 PM

they do a better job of integrating their diverse stylistic interests into a consistent quality level.

I think this hits the nail right on the pointy end. One of my problems with the record is that it's so all over the place stylistically, without being integrated in any way.

To put it another way: Yes, consistently LOW quality.

Posted by Aaron S. Veenstra | October 30, 2007 3:02 PM

It's kind of sad that their worst album could garner them the most attention.

"Silver Lining" might be the only good song on the album. "Dejalo" is laughable, "The Moneymaker" makes me feel sleazy (like Skinamax sleazy... not even good sleaze). The lyrics are thin... and to quote my friend, "The production values kind of careen around between mid-80's Miami disco and "My name is Dusty Springfield and I have a Jenny Lewis problem."

Everything else is really forgettable in that bad way.

Posted by Paul | October 30, 2007 3:37 PM

"integrating their diverse stylistic interests into a consistent quality level."

Now THAT'S rock'n'roll!

Posted by Sean | October 30, 2007 3:55 PM

I'll speak up on behalf of the new one -- I was down on it at first, but it's been steadily growing on me.

I do think, though, that RK is spent. They haven't topped Executions, and I doubt they ever will. Some bands just have a magic moment.

I saw RK on this tour, and Blake's passive-aggressive disengagement was palpable. He obviously resents all the attention going to Jenny. In my opinion, he's the better songwriter, and I like Elected stuff better than Lewis' solo stuff. But he's getting totally ignored, passed by, pushed aside. I guess I'd be bitter too.

Me, I love "Breaking Up." It's like Abba. In a good way.

Posted by David Roberts | October 30, 2007 5:39 PM

I frankly think this derision is a lot of annoyance that this formerly hip band now actually has more widespread popularity. It's a very smart pop album with only a couple of weak tracks. I'm sorry if they are not "indie" enough for people anymore.

Posted by Erik | October 30, 2007 5:44 PM

Big fan of the previous albums, but yeah, I'm still not impressed by Blacklight. It very much swings back and forth between being a Stevie Nicks album and a Gloria Gainer album.

Posted by Imaginary | October 30, 2007 6:08 PM

"It very much swings back and forth between being a Stevie Nicks album and a Gloria Gainer album"

You say that like it's a bad thing. I hear some Blondie in there, too, which is awesome.

Posted by too many steves | October 30, 2007 7:06 PM

Agreed.

Posted by Scott Lemieux | October 30, 2007 10:26 PM