The Best Albums Of The Decade: #24 - The Execution Of All Things

MP3: Rilo Kiley - So Long

#24 - Rilo Kiley - The Execution Of All Things
Saddle Creek 2002

Joey On The Execution Of All Things:

This may seem like a kind of cheesy choice these days, and rightfully so: Rilo Kiley played us all for fools. There was such a promise of greater things coming from them and their actor backgrounds were quirks, sure, but it was nothing worth focusing on (though the press sure did... a lot). Here were some folks from California making really great, warm sounding pop music that came across as heartfelt and completely honest. So once they knew we were hanging on their every word, they dropped their cards and revealed that the whole thing was a bluff. They really were the assholes you'd think they would have been and used any type of (shudder) indie cred to gain the money and recognition that their sub par acting careers could no longer bring in. Bravo: my rat is off to you, sirs and madam.

So over the years, it became really hard to like their past Barsuk and Saddle Creek output, because every time you heard them, it was near impossible to ignore the pain behind the sham. Things have finally changed though: now, after hearing their last 2 god awful records and accepting them as something else entirely, those old records shine brighter. If anything, they represent easier times, when you could trust a band outright and just enjoy things for what they were.

"The Execution Of All Things" is a damn fine pop record. There is not a dud on it and at the time, nothing else sounded like it. People were still weary of female fronted music and the alternative country whatever sound was fresh and underplayed; Saddle Creek itself was worth a damn, putting out their talented friends and not chasing flashes in flashy pans like they do now (I think it was this band fucking them over that jaded them and if so, bummer. Get over it).

The song I am choosing from this record is a song by Blake Sennett, who seems like he is a dick, but a talented one at least. If you can back up your dickery, it makes it easier to swallow. Plus, The Elected was/is bad ass and probably deserving of a slot on this list, but alas... So yes. If you know this record, you know the Jenny Lewis songs. That's fine, they're so great. But this song, this song always gets me floating and really deserves so much more love. Like this record. We were young, sure, but nostalgia is in this year and I'm playing along. Enjoy.

R.I.P. Georgie James

MP3: Georgie James: Need Your Needs
MP3: Georgie James: Long Week
MP3: Georgie James: Aftermath

Finally, to close out the week, I'd like to take a chance to say goodbye to Georgie James, who called it a day last week. Their "Places" record, which was released last year, was really fantastic and full of great pop songs that prove to still be enjoyable today and show no chances of growing stale. While I wish they were still making more music, they can wear the "we made only one record but it fucking ruled" badge proudly. Good luck with your new projects you two, we'll miss you.

Also, this is our 200th mp3 post and I'm happy that these guys are it.

John now does Title Tracks and Laura still does Laura Burhenn.

Here is the video for "Need Your Needs". Have a good weekend!

Neva Dinova continue to dream

MP3: Neva Dinova - Will The Ladies Send You Flowers

The always solid and enjoyable Neva Dinova return with their 3rd lp proper "You May Already Be Dreaming" next month, and it is yet another winning affair. It's been awhile since we last saw the boys in 2005's "The Hate Yourself Change", but they are back with their Saddle Creek debut and while it's more of the same goodness, the band feels a bit more relaxed and focused (probably from the downtime which included equipment destroying floods and eardrum blowing bar room brawls ). "Will The Ladies Send You Flowers" is as good an example of any of this album, a lush effort that floats and stings along the way.

"You May Already Be Dreaming" is released April 8th on Saddle Creek.

{purchase neva dinova recordings from saddle creek}

Maria Taylor

MP3: Maria Taylor - A Good Start
MP3: Maria Taylor - Smile and Wave

I admit it: I like Maria Taylor solo much more than Azure Ray. Not to say I dislike the band, but it certainly required the right kind of mood (sad) to fully get into them. Otherwise it was... boring. And I like a lot of "boring" music, so saying that has to hold some truth. But solo, Taylor's songs move and feel complete, with her on drums, her brother on bass and sister on keys. A family affair indeed. The family got together and recorded in Texas with Spoon's Jim Eno, in Georgia to record with longtime collaborator Andy LeMaster (who Taylor plays with on the Now It's Overhead records) and Memphis with Doug Easley (Cat Power) to make "Lynn Teeter Flower" bloom. It's a very natural sounding record, despite coming to life in so many studios.

"A Good Start" is very much so one to begin the record. While it's been enjoyably different to hear Taylor go so upbeat in a song, she sounds completely comfortable on this one. She's still able to make her own with her trademark harmonies and storytelling. Saddle Creek put this one up for download, so it's the single mayhaps? I hope so, it'd be a really great starting place for new fans.

I would have to say Kate Taylor's swirling key contribution really makes the music end of "Smile and Wave" shine, plain and simple.

The album certainly isn't 100%, but neither was Taylor's last effort "11:11". "Irish Goodbye" seems like an effort to rekindle the magic of "One For the Shareholder", co-written by producer Mike Mogis on the last album, but it sounds awkward and out of nowhere has someone rapping over it. It sounds very forced. Conor Oberst (who?) co-wrote and sings on "The Ballad Of Sean Foley" but his fans excited by this shouldn't be: he's buried under Taylor. The record as a whole takes a listen or two to make complete sense, but once you get there it feels very nice.

"Lynn Teeter Flower" doesn't birth itself on your record shelf until March 6th, but if you preorder it from the Creek they promise it's water will break 2 weeks early to your mailbox.

Oh man, 2 Saddle Creek related releases in 2 posts? Yikes! How hip of me!

{buy maria taylor recordings from saddle creek}