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I was surprised to see that this album was not yet reviewed on this site; I had assumed that one would be posted the day of Rilo Kiley’s release for More Adventurous. Well, better late than never, because this album is one that deserves a review simply because it was just so difficult to write one for.

We all have heard of Jenny Lewis before. She’s that token girl that sings in a band with a really cute sounding voice that makes boys melt and makes girls want to be her. What sets her apart from the rest of the pack is the fact that she actually has an amazing voice and can belt out one hell of a tune, contrary to some girl-fronted bands that can just sound cute and stop there, with no real backbone to their voice. Lewis is in the upper echelon of female vocalists; unfortunately, this is also More Adventurous’s main, almost unforgivable flaw.

There’s just too much Jenny Lewis on here. On this album, I feel like the rest of the band and their music has taken a back seat to the fact that Lewis is a cute girl, can sing well, and will set them apart from the rest of the industry. Yes, she sings great, but what of the excellent music found on past efforts? Songs like “Pictures Of Success” (a song the band has yet to top) and “With Arms Outstretched” found that band in a musically sound state: the entire band sounded fantastic, and it was a package deal. More Adventurous is all about Lewis, and chock-full of girl-power. It’s not a bad thing per se, but once exceptional music is sacrificed to bring it to the limelight, we’ve got a problem. Granted, some songs on here do pretty much rock out; “Portions For Foxes,” “It’s A Hit,” and “Love And War 11/11/46” all sound like a group effort. Some songs, however, make me feel like I’m not listening to Rilo Kiley. Some songs make me feel like I’m not even listening to good music.

Let’s start with the abomination that is “I Never:” you’ve got Jenny wailing away up front, with a terribly lame-sounding 60’s pop hook moping around behind her. Sounds original, right? This is not the case; it’s pulled off terribly. It’s just flat out boring. Jenny Lewis is talented, but she cannot carry this band by herself. It almost sounds as if the band isn’t even trying to be noticeable or an integral part of the music. There are also tracks that are just asking to be skipped, like the dull closer “It Just Is” and the fourth track “Ripchord,” which leaves the listener wondering “What the hell?” as guitarist Blake Sennett (yes, "Salute Your Shorts," we know) “sings” over lo-fi guitar plucking and whistles, making some cringe-worthy moan/caw noise as well. It’s terribly unnerving to listen to these songs; it’s simply an ultimate disappointment to listen More Adventurous all the way through. Even the better songs like “Accidental Death,” complete with blips and bloops á la Jenny’s stint with the Postal Service and the acoustic-tinged “The Absence Of God” come up short when compared to the band’s back catalog.

I must point out the band’s excellent lyrics though: Lewis can write a tune, as well as sing one. The lyrics to “Does He Love You?” are messed up and almost downright pathetic, but you can’t help but be wowed at the songwriting. It’s masterful. Save the throwaway blatant attack at President Bush in “It’s A Hit” and you’ve got yourself a very well-written album on your hands.

To put it plain and simple, More Adventurous is a huge disappointment. The band has their priorities mixed up, and has almost forgotten how to make enjoyable music; a lot of the stuff found on here is basically not enjoyable. Musical change is subjective; many will appreciate it, and many will hate it. There is no pleasing everyone, and Rilo Kiley have sure made it clear with More Adventurous.

Standout Tracks:
“Does He Love You?”
“Portions For Foxes”
“The Absence Of God”
“Accidental Death”



People who liked this also liked:
Pixies - Surfer RosaFeist - The ReminderArchitecture in Helsinki - Places Like ThisThe Arcade Fire - Neon BibleJolie Holland - Springtime Can Kill YouThe Mountain Goats - We Shall All Be HealedThe Washdown - Yes To EverythingThe Elected - Me FirstThe Pale Pacific - Gravity Gets Things DoneDeath Cab For Cutie - Transatlanticism



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    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 11:09 PM (EST)

    this score is for gay sex

    Posted by Anonymous on Monday, February 28, 2005 at 12:18 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    it's pinsky.

    execution was an excellent album. i'd give it an 8 or 9. i haven't heard this one yet, i wasn't even sure if it was out yet, but i'll check it out.

    Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 27, 2005 at 12:14 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    He was Joey the Rat on Boy Meets World too.

    Posted by sethcohen on 2005-02-27 00:00:17
    My Score:

    Blake was Pensky, Budnick was played by Danny Cooksey

    Posted by Anchors on 2005-02-26 23:15:54
    My Score:

    Yeah, I forget too. Is it Budnick, or Pinski? I'm leaning towards Budnick, but somebody has to know for sure.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 8:22 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Score is for the vux

    Posted by Imposs1ble on 2005-02-26 12:09:27
    My Score:

    One of my favorites from last year. I'm also pretty fond of the Elected album.

    Posted by Jesse on 2005-02-26 11:28:13
    My Score:

    This band is very overrated. I heard their old album and it wasn't too bad. The chick had a mean fake country twang though. I heard that one song off this CD on some college radio station, and it was bullshit.

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 3:26 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Funny, the only song on here I do really like is "I never".

    I think its catchy, and pleasant on my ears.

    wyzo

    Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 2:20 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    blake sennet is awesome, and i know he does his own stuff with the elected, i still think he should've gotten more than ONE song on this new album.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 11:33 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    I couldn't disagree more with this review. More Adventurous is an absolutely stunning album from start to finish and continues to grow on mw with every listen. It was my #1 album of 2004.

    Posted by Eddie on 2005-02-25 22:45:51
    My Score:

    "A Man/Me/Then Jim" is like, the best song ever

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 9:38 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    and by that comment below i meant if the entire album sounded like those songs, it'd be a 10.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 9:37 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    when i first heard this, i was disappointed, but really, it's not that bad. it's not great, but in some strange way i feel like it's a step forward for them. jenny's voice sounds fantastic (even if "i never" is really fucking repetetive) and there are some great songs, but the first song as well as a few in between are just annoying. plus i'm a bit sad that blake only had one song on here, and i happen to like it (#4 that everyone else apparently hates).
    anyhow, if they could make an album with songs like "does he love you" and "more adventurous" it'd be a 10. maybe next time.

    Posted by Wyld_Stallyns_Rule on 2005-02-25 20:08:22
    My Score:

    Good ol' Lucas . . . "I love the power glove. It's awesome."

    Posted by greg0rb on 2005-02-25 19:00:51
    My Score:

    Love this album. Yeah, Ripchord though... dont know what's goin on there...
    -Greg

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 5:40 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    " this album is one that deserves a review simply because it was just so difficult to write one for"...what kind of douchey logic is that?

    Posted by sethcohen on 2005-02-25 17:08:35
    My Score:

    I'd still say this is about a 7 to a 7.5

    Talking about Jenny and Blake's acting is as lazy as saying Intrpol sounds like Joy Division. It's what people who have never listened to the bands do to sound smart.

    Why in the hell did the Panthers cut Mushin Muhammed. Goddammit. They should have cut fucking Rodney Peete and Chris Weinke and tried a bit harder to restructre his deal. If they don't draft Troy Williamson or trade to pick Mike Williams they are fucking idiots

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 4:45 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    Score is for "Lucas", the character from "The Wizard". Fuck him, he was just so SMUG!

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 3:28 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    score's for Ben Seaver.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 3:08 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    You should also note that the rating system is doubled from what stars you see.

    For example, you see three stars, but the reviewer gave it a 6.

    Obviously that would be slighly over an average middle mark of 5.

    - Kirby

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 2:07 PM (EST)
    My Score:

    pinsky.

    -costanza

    Posted by 8dollarclarinetsolo on 2005-02-25 13:46:36
    My Score:

    what character from salute your shorts is in this band?

    sorry if im behind, i never really felt the need to pay any attention to rilo kiley

    Posted by Wyld_Stallyns_Rule on 2005-02-25 12:05:27
    My Score:

    Jenny Lewis is former child star, too. She was in 'The Wizard' with Fred Savage, 'Troop Beverly Hills' with the chick from Cheers, and was Ben Seaver's first kiss in an episode of 'Growing Pains'. For whatever reason, this made me enjoy the music a little less.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 10:31 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    score is for the kid from salute your shorts who is in this band now

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 9:52 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    the video for "foxes" is getting mad air time on much music...

    Posted by aubin on 2005-02-25 09:34:13

    Three stars is "average" it's not a negative rating, it's just not outstanding. A four star record is contender for top ten lists and a five star record is a classic or at least well on its way.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 8:40 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    the video for It's a Hit is fuckin great, thats what made me buy the album.

    Posted by SethCohen on 2005-02-25 07:54:39
    My Score:

    This album may not be their best, but it still is fabulous. I think More Adventurous is the best song on here

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 3:11 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Did anyone else see the Portions For Foxes video? It's such a great song, but the video is a total letdown. You can tell that the director made it explicitly clear that all he wanted Jenny to do was to fawn and look pretty and vulnerable. It translated to a stiff and forced performance of an incredibly rockin' and feisty song.

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 1:59 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    Whoever wrote this review is a fucking cunt. You don't do the band any justice. True, Execution of All Things was waaaay better, but 3 stars? c'mon

    -Zach

    Posted by Anonymous on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 12:48 AM (EST)
    My Score:

    I've yet to hear "the execution of all things", but i think that "Accidental death" and "it's a hit" are both great songs.

    I totally agree with "I never" and track #4....especially, track 4....sooo horrible. I thought for the most part though, the cd was enjoyable.

    Posted by kenjamin on 2005-02-25 00:25:23
    My Score:

    I'm impressed with this review. Seriously, couldn't have agreed more.

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