More Adventurous

Amazon.com
Are they alternative-country rockers or alternative rock crooners? That was the conundrum following Rilo Kiley’s 2002 release, The Execution of Things, and with More Adventurous, the band’s first record with major label support, we have our answer. Jolted by the divinely pure vocals of Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett's howling guitar on prospective indie anthems like "Portions for Foxes," the Los Angeles foursome has two fists through the earth in their quest to depart the underground. It's obvious from the opening smack-talk sing-a-long "It's a Hit" that Lewis is the centerpiece of this 11-song pop consignment (leaving the capable Sennett to sing only the acoustic low-fi "Ripchord"), and the unabashed charisma that is her trademark infiltrates throughout—from rockers ("Love and War") to ballads ("Absence of God") to pop ("Accidntel Deth") to Dusty Springfield soul ("I Never"). And while the production is polished to radio-friendly, it fails to dull the charming accessibility of a band that wears progression as a badge. --Scott Holter

More Adventurous,Rilo Kiley,Brute/Beaute,Indie Pop,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop

More Adventurous

Average customer rating:

Crossover appeal or corporate takeover?
Boring
Give Me More Rilo Kiley
I Love Rilo Kiley!
Ehhhh

More Adventurous
Rilo Kiley
Manufacturer: Brute/Beaute
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0002M5T7A
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Tracks:

It's A Hit
Does He Love You?
Portions For Foxes
Ripchord
I Never
The Absence Of God
Accidental Deth
More Adventurous
Love And War (11/11/46)
A Man/Me/Then Jim
It Just Is

Amazon.com

Are they alternative-country rockers or alternative rock crooners? That was the conundrum following Rilo Kiley's 2002 release, The Execution of Things, and with More Adventurous, the band's first record with major label support, we have our answer. Jolted by the divinely pure vocals of Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett's howling guitar on prospective indie anthems like "Portions for Foxes," the Los Angeles foursome has two fists through the earth in their quest to depart the underground. It's obvious from the opening smack-talk sing-a-long "It's a Hit" that Lewis is the centerpiece of this 11-song pop consignment (leaving the capable Sennett to sing only the acoustic low-fi "Ripchord"), and the unabashed charisma that is her trademark infiltrates throughout—from rockers ("Love and War") to ballads ("Absence of God") to pop ("Accidntel Deth") to Dusty Springfield soul ("I Never"). And while the production is polished to radio-friendly, it fails to dull the charming accessibility of a band that wears progression as a badge. --Scott Holter

Customer Reviews:

Crossover appeal or corporate takeover?.......2007-07-06

Rilo Kiley's third LP is their most polished yet, primed as an effort intended to break them through as indie-major converts. Whether they succeed or not, More Adventurous is both appropriate and a misnomer. True, they expand their sound and try different things, working up a chemist shop worth of new tricks, but as stated before, it's a slicker effort, with bigger hooks and more attention to mainstream appeal, making it altogether too safe for comfort among their indie brethren.

But that doesn't matter beneath the weight of what works. As before, the first half is considerably better than the second. "It's a Hit" is a catchy anti-Bush strike (I think it's a law now that if you're in a band, you must pen a hate letter to that most-unfit of Commanders in Chief), but the targets are a bit obvious and delivered with as much subtlety as Neil Young's "Let's Impeach the President." "Portions For Foxes" is probably the most radio-ready of the bunch (and a single), "I Never" is a country-soul ballad that sounds plucked from the 60s, and "Does He Love You?" has a strong, flitting melody that carries Lewis' vocals over every crescendo (it sounds at times like an 80s pop hit for one of the Bangles or Go-Gos, but dramatic where the others were saccharine). As usual, though, we're left wondering why Sennett is even allowed to sing lead, as he does on the tepid "Ripchord." Not their finest moment, but a worthy addition to any indie pop fan's collection.

Best cuts: "Accidntel Deth," "Portions For Foxes," "Does He Love You?" "It's a Hit," "Love and War," "I Never," "The Absence of God," "A Man/Me/Just Jim"

Boring.......2007-07-06

I first heard Portions for Foxes on the radio and absolutely loved it. Loved the fun lyrics and her voice. I bought the album and was totally disappointed. I found it to be very boring. I thought maybe I wasn't in the right mood to listen to it seeing all these great reviews about the album, but I've listened to it like 4 times and just find myself bored. Can't seem to get into it.

Give Me More Rilo Kiley.......2007-03-07

I cannot get enough of this band. I am partial to female vocals and Jenny Lewis has never disappointed me. This band is another of those really good bands flying under the radar (see also, Bettie Serveert or Cat Power, for example), who deserve far greater recongnition (although Rilo Kiley was on a segment of Austin City Limits right around the time this disk was released). While both Lewis and bandmate, Blake Sennett, have recently put out non-Rilo Kiley works (both of which I enjoy), they are at their best in Rilo Kiley. More Adventurous is worth parting with your beer money, as are The Execution of All Things and Take Off and Landings. Now all we need is a new release from this talented group.

P.S. Jenny Lewis does a nice job on her solo effort, Rabbit Fur Coat, where she is backed up by the sister act, the Watson Twins. If you like female singer/songwriters, you should also give a listen to the Watson Twins on their debut release, Southern Manners. And, as I mentioned above, and to make sure he gets his props, Blake Sennett has recently released a second disk with his "other" band, The Elected, called Sun, Sun, Sun, which is a nice piece of work.

P.P.S. While I really like Lewis's vocals quite a bit, you may not. Her voice and style defy easy classification and are not for every one (which is perhaps why the band has not garnered far greater recognition). But if you want to expand your horizons and experience music as art, not as popular culture, then you owe it to yourself to investigate both Jenny Lewis and Rilo Kiley.

I Love Rilo Kiley!.......2007-01-19

I was first introduced to Rilo Kiley by a friend mixing one of their songs on a CD she made for me. I then bought "The Execution of All Things" and liked it. It is mostly made up of Jenny's stories about ALaska. Different yes...but none the less inspiring. More Adventurous is a deeper look into the human pysche and relationships between lovers and friends. I became addicted to "Me/A Man/And Jim". I must have listened to it 10 times in a row after I heard it for the first time. This CD narrates reality to your ears and will bring you to your knees. I love it!

Ehhhh.......2007-01-09

It was not all that it was cracked up to be. I expected more, judging by the reviews I was reading. The cd starts off strong, but then goes in a dismal, boring blah kind of place.

Average customer rating:

Cathy is Awesome!
An amazing vocalist, earthy and warm!

Song of the Heart
Cathy Segal-Garcia
Manufacturer: Whynot Jazzbank Pjl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000039Y9
Release Date: 1996-02-06

Tracks:

Mr. Hall
Some Other Time
The Story
My One And Only Love
September In The Rain
Diane
Dearly Beloved
A Sleepin' Bee
How Deep Is The Ocean
Bud Powell

Customer Reviews:

Cathy is Awesome!.......1999-08-03

She is brillant in her work, her songs are a delight. Her voice is incredible...this is a definite must have!!!!

An amazing vocalist, earthy and warm!.......1999-06-09

A singer beyond compare - incredible range, warm and sensitive in her approach, a wonderful variety of classics and original songs. Cathy has a voice that lights up and you can only imagine her warm and generous smile and personality. Her music is warming and full of vitality!!! A great album!!