Who’s into Rilo Kiley? One underrated band that you should be familiar with by now. If you’re a fan of indie rock with pop sensibilities and, yes, Fleetwood Mac, you’ll dig Rilo Kiley. They were often compared to Mac, owing to their strong songwriting and the presence of frontwoman Jenny Lewis, who was occasionally compared to Stevie Nicks.
Rilo Kiley steadily gained traction in indie rock circles throughout the late ‘90s and early 2000s before the record industry (and the public at large) officially took note. Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett, both child actors, initially started the band as a way to explore their shared interest in a distinctive sound that blended indie rock with elements of folk, country, torch songs, and pop. Their lyrics were also praised for their emotional depth and honesty, often dealing with themes of heartbreak, loss, and the complexities of relationships.
It was their third album, More Adventorous (2004), that solidified their status in the indie rock scene. The primary track, “Portion for Foxes”, received widespread critical acclaim and became a hit on the U.S. alternative charts.
Despite their indie success, Rilo Kiley never quite crossed over into mainstream pop territory. The music was often too eclectic and unconventional for mainstream tastes, but this was also what made them so important to the alternative music scene.
The band broke up in 2013 due to creative differences and tensions between band members.
The song above, “I Remember You”, is one of my favourite pieces from Rilo Kiley, a mournful Fleetwood Mac-esque indie rock. Taken from their 2013 album of outtakes, demos, and b-sides, Rkives. From this song, you can tell that Lewis and Sennett are pioneers in presenting confessional indie-rock to today’s musicians.
Is a book called 1001 Bands You Must Know Before You Die available? Rilo Kiley should be on the list if there is one!
💧 You might also like JENNY LEWIS: SOCIAL DISTANCING.
