Monday, October 8, 2007


- Rilo Kiley - Austin, TX - Stubb's -
 

Finally, I can now cross Rilo Kiley off the list of artists that I've always wanted to see live.  I've been trying to make it happen for years, but every single time that they would tour close to me it would always be on a day that I couldn't make it.  So needless to say, my expectations were kind of high.

Fortunately, the band didn't disappoint.  In fact, nothing about the night was disappointing.  The crowd was full of massively devoted fans and Grand Ole Party and Bird And The Bee were great openers.  It was truly as good as good as it gets as far as concerts go.  Enjoy the review.
 

 
 
-  Grand Ole Party -

I thought I knew this band.  I don't know why, but before the show I was certain that at some point I had listened to them.  Well, I was all wrong and I realized it the moment when the feisty trio jumped into their first raucous song.  Kristin, who sings and drums, has a set of pipes that feel like Karen O but sultry and a bit more polished, and the two guitarists really know how to push out crafty guitar work that's a lot of fun.  Trust me when I say their name is right on the mark.

I'll have more about this band really soon.

 
- Bird And The Bee -

I don't actively listen to this band (who performed as a duo last night), but I am familiar with their work and have some appreciation for it.  With that being said, I really enjoyed their set.  I thought the two of them sounded like a more simplified, dance-worthy version of St. Vincent.  They even had a similar, Annie Clark-esque style in the way that they looked really serious during a song and then really sweet and humble in between them.

I need to check out their new EP.

- Rilo Kiley -

Outside of the fact that I can think of about 10 or 15 songs that I wished they would have played, I thought they did everything rather well.  Jenny and Blake really know how to work the crowd in a way that makes everyone (way up front, or way in the back) feel involved; it's pretty neat.  It was also a dream to hear With Arms Outstretched, Does He Love You?, Ripchord and I Never.  On the flip side, of the five or six new songs that they played, Silver Lining and Moneymaker were the only two that felt better live.  I mean, let's face it:  Under The Blacklight is not a good album, and it's painfully obvious when songs from it are sandwiched between a whole slew of gems from the band's back catalog.

Overall though, I don't have much to complain about.  I had a good time and finally got to see an act that was crucial in making me want to seek out more independent music.  I definitely recommend seeing them if you get the chance.

BTW, I wrote a review for Under The Blacklight that ended up not getting used by the magazine that I did it for.  If you would like to read it then click here.

:Rilo Kiley - Silver Lining:

- John Laird -



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