Taking their gloves off, Rilo Kiley come out fighting with a real belter.
Hitting all the right spots in the States, theyre about to unleash onealmighty punch. Frankly,the Brits are not ready for this. Having been a big hiton the American underground scene for some years, the quartet feel confidentenough to jump into the mainstream ring on their own label.
US music press have been raving about this album (US release August 17,2004).Clearly, they have no idea of the quirky nature of the British music scene,so they could have a few problems. Thats not to deny the sublime nature ofMore Adventurous. With the right exposure (theres plenty of BBC Radio2 fodder here – A Man/Me/Then Jim, The Absence of God, I Never).
Music ranges from melodic balladry to country rock sways on a ’60s SpectorishShangrilas I Never. The punch comes with Portions For Foxes -whacky or what? Its not instant,and sometimes thats good.
At all times its formidable,beautiful and quite profound. Jenny Lewis’ sharpvocals are reminiscent of Eddi Reader (ex-fairground Attraction) at her best.Musicianship is top drawer, with gushing outputs from all contributors, itsgot many an emotional surge to grab your attention.Creatively theyre as sound as youll ever find, and they know where theyre going.
Its A Hit? Yes right on my chin. You better duck pretty darned quick.
Weblinks:Rilo Kiley.com /Brute Beaute.com
The full list of tracks included are as follows (track 18-20 are raretracks taken from B-sides):
1. Its A Hit
2. Does He Love Me?
3. Portions For Foxes
4. Ripchord
5. I Never
6. The Absence Of God7. Accidntel Deth
8. More Adventurous
9. Love And War (11/11/46)
10. A Man/Me/Then Jim
11. It Just Is
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.