It's Nostolgic Under the Blacklight

by MK

Many times, when a favorite band deviates from the familiar formula, it upsets the fanbase. They feel cheated. Their band "sold out." But sometimes, when the band evolves, the observant listener can hear a progression--a movement into a new level of artistry. Rilo Kiley's new album, Under the Blacklight, is evidence of an impressive elevation of musicianship for the quirky indie rock band out of Los Angeles, California.

I often think back to Weezer's Pinkerton when discovering an album that takes a few listens to really sink in. Though completely different in style to Rilo Kiley's fourth effort, Weezer's second album was also a bit too much of a departure for most of their listeners, but somehow made it into many top all-time album lists. Under the Blacklight contains a similar degree of post-listening power.

For those fans expecting that indie-folk flavor--there's some of that, to be sure. ("The Angels Hung Around") feels familiar like a Friday night in Austin. Even ("15") has that soulful rhythm that makes frontwoman Jenny Lewis soar above most of today's songstresses. Then, as abruptly as flipping the channel, you will be introduced to the poppy ("Breaking Up") and ("Smoke Detector"). But these aren't cookie cutter radio songs. Part perfect California beach pop, part '80s melodic chorus--the rest of the album feels like a guilty pleasure away from the majority of indie's sameness that permeates the second-hand store landscape.

Rilo Kiley's maturity crafts one of this year's best, and does it with an adroit, nostalgic hand that may force you to pick up some of those great old '80s pop albums if only to remember that solid music can still be a hell of a lot of fun.