This came out in 2005 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Rilo Kiley are ready for their closeup.
After two critically beloved but largely unheard albums on indie labels, the rootsy L.A. pop foursome have moved to the majors for their third disc More Adventurous. And while their original fans are already divided about whether it lives up to its title, there’s little doubt it is, as one might expect, their most polished and accessible work.
Singer Jenny Lewis has the sort of pipes (and red tresses) that might invite comparison to alt-country queen Neko Case. And like Case, she can capably wield her impressive instrument in a variety of settings. On these 11 cuts, Lewis and guitarist Blake Sennett — both child actors in a previous life — set her delicious vocals against a broad, colourful variety of backdrops: Bouncy indie-pop (Portions for Foxes and Love and War); swoony indie fuzz (It’s A Hit); torchy twang (Does He Love You?); acoustic roots (Ripchord and the title cut); delicate folk-pop (The Absence of God); bloopy synth-pop (Accidental Deth); and even swelling, soulful R&B (I Never). Bonus points for Lewis’s downbeat lyrics (“When my mom and I went to identify the body / I wanted to see it but she wouldn’t let me”), which slyly subvert the sunny melodies and hand-clap grooves.
The old fans may cry sellout, but make no mistake: More Adventurous is soon to be in heavy rotation on an iPod near you.
Looks like the third time’s the charm for Rilo Kiley.