More Adventurous by Rilo Kiley

Rilo Kiley: Jenny Lewis (vocals, guitar, harmonica, Mellotron, keyboards); Blake Sennett (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Mellotron, ARP synthesizer); Jason Boesel (vocals, drums, tambour, percussion); Pierre de Reeder (bass instrument). Much has been made about Rilo Kiley's fusion of country and rock but with MORE ADVENTUROUS, the band's first recording released outside of the Saddle Creek camp, this California quartet creates a sound more along the lines of Belle & Sebastian's brand of twee pop. The bittersweet ting of primary lyricist and singer Jenny Lewis's words is offset by a leavened use of string arrangements. This combination proves irresistible, particularly on the anti-war opener "It's a Hit," with its compelling mix of brassy fanfare, shoo-bop harmonies, and Velvet Underground-like guitar riffs, all of which only a hint at the audio delights lying in wait over the course of this record. Mellotron and Moog add a melancholy air to the heartbreak-defining "Does He Love You?," and "I N...