Rilo Kiley - The Blacklight (2007)

I have been waiting for a new Rilo Kiley CD since the disappointment that was Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, and I have to say... sometimes it's hard when a band grows up. What I mean by this is that the sound and songs that made me fall in love with Rilo Kiley are no longer the same. Sure the core is still there, and even some of the song structure is the same. But that indie feel, that experimental feel... is no longer there. They've traded those handful of songs that you would skip to hear on the CD, for an album that you can easily and enjoyably listen to in one setting. In fact my drive to work is so long, and the CD so short that I can actually start it again before hitting the parking lot.

The band has a heavy electronic influence on this album, it works very well with the CD but again don't expect the same old Rilo Kiley. Lyrically there's many changes too, trading in songs with no chorus' for songs that repeat the same lyric again and again. That might put some people off and I can even see how some long time fans might be put off by this album. Myself, I have gotten past the point of hoping a band will never change and try to come into each album with no expectations otherwise all you'll get is disappointment. The CD definitely has a studio feel to it, losing that gritty basement recording sound the previous albums had; and pretty much sounds like the band is ready for radio adventures. Hopefully they'll continue making enjoyable music and not get lost in the hustle and shuffle of corporate radio. Like I said before it's hard when a band grows up, but at least from the sounds of it they're growing up right.

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Now playing: "Breakin' Up" by Rilo Kiley
via FoxyTunes

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Straylight Run - The Needles The Space (2007)

This week Straylight Run's second CD came out. I'm not going to bore you will all the band's history, if you want something about that I would check wikipedia I'm sure they have every boring detail written down in even more detail then really needed. What I can say is that this album is leaps and bounds better than their first CD. The first CD's only good songs were the songs from the internet EP/Demo that the band released to get everyone interested in their sound. As for the second CD throw out everything you know about the band and start expecting Indie, light rock singing. After the first two songs I was instantly comparing it to Headlights, Rilo Kiley and several other bands that I still can't come up with. The CD is strong but not without it's weaknesses.

The first five songs stand out and yell "Single, Play me on the radio now!" I really could not choose which one I would send to the stations first. The sixth song is good but it's political and frankly no one's saying anything new. Everyone wants to criticized the president but no ones saying anything we haven't heard before and probably done better. I'd rather there be a political song taking personal responsibility about letting GW in the White House rather than bagging on what an idiot he is. Unfortunately it's still a good song and I found myself just ignoring the message the second time around and just really enjoying the hook and music. This is another CD that has a strong begin but a weak end. Like I said the first six are great, but the next five felt like filler and didn't stand out like the start of the CD did. Thankfully tracks 11 to 13 saved the CD from being another lack luster attempt from the band. Something I did enjoy was that there were move female vocals on this CD and that they were good songs. The last CD didn't have much of her vocals even as background and when she did sing it was like she didn't care about what she was singing. This CD however she had some catchy lyrics and interesting songs to go with them. A major weakness for this disc though, is the fact that it alternates from Male to Female vocal songs, literally going Male then Female and back to Male. I understand that they were probably trying not to establish either as a dominate voice on the CD and frankly her voice is so good that any record exec looking for the next Rilo Kiley or what not would probably make her the lead in a heart beat, but that would ruin the band. So the alternated when really they could have done One Male, a couple Female, then maybe alternate and finish with some Male Vocals. I sat there wondering how long they were going to keep it up and it finally brakes at track 7.

I would give this CD a strong 8.5, like I said it's not without it's weaknesses, but it has a lot of strength's that help it stay afloat in the overpowering Music scene today. Another great thing about this CD is that you can buy it for $8.50 on Smartpunk which is where I purchased my copy. I know a new CD that doesn't suck for under 10 dollars? Heck I bet other places might even have it as cheap without the shipping but hey it's still a heck of a deal. If you enjoyed the first album tread lightly with this one. Do not go and listen to the first album and then think the new one is going to be riding the same boat because it won't be, but hey even then I think you'll probably still really enjoy this CD.

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