Under the Blacklight

I experienced more live music joy at yet another sold out 930 Club concert this past Friday night. Rilo Kiley came through the Mid-Atlantic again in support of their 2007 album Under the Blacklight. It's a sexy, even sleazy but spirited examination of a West Coast milieu, particularly love and loss in the City of Angels. Reminds me of some of the darker material mined not just by Fleetwood Mac, whom the band is often compared to, but also The Eagles on their much-maligned 1979 The Long Run album. (I imagine "The Disco Strangler" is dangerously lurking somewhere underneath that blacklight, and even The Moneymaker might end up serving time in a "Teenage Jail".)


I first discovered Rilo Kiley's music in 2004 with More Adventurous. Elvis Costello had recommended singer songwriter Jenny Lewis for her lyrics and melodies. (Elvis collaborated this spring with her on his fantastic new album Momofuku, which I also recommend.) Jenny also released her first solo album in 2006 - Rabbit Fur Coat. It was also well-received.

I particularly love "Silver Lining" from Under the Blacklight. When they peformed this song at the concert, they tossed large silver balloons into the air the crowd bounced around until the balloons popped and released gold confetti:



This video for "The Moneymaker" allegedly features real and aspiring porn actors. That's notable, especially in how young the fanbase skewed at the 930 Club Friday. I was easily 15 or 20 years older, and maybe a few more than that, than nearly everybody around me. (Seriously, I felt a little like Jason Bateman's character in Juno.)



"Portions for Foxes"





Lastly, I want to brag that Jenny sang a verse of "With Arms Outstretched" looking directly at me. Of course, maybe that's because I was all alone in my Soccer Dad glory up near the front row. Hey, nineteen - maybe we can dance together...