Rilo Kiley

I. Love. Rilo Kiley.

I love this band with all my heart 

Rilo Kiley were an American indie rock band which formed in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. The band consisted of Jenny Lewis (vocals, guitar), Blake Sennett (vocals, guitar), Pierre de Reeder (bass, keyboards) and Jason Boesel (drums). 

FFO: Jenny Lewis, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, Elliot Smith, The Elected, Conor Oberst

Rilo Kiley are big name players in the indie rock scene being signed to Barsuk, Saddle Creek and later Warner. That being said a lot of their music is being sold online and is readily available through these labels which is why I will share the stuff that is no longer for sale but so fundamental to this band

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm including a photo of the original cassette and what is widely accepted as the unofficial album art

Consider this the earliest Rilo Kiley release that has tracks that you will later find on the "Initial Friend EP" (featured) but with a different sound, what comes to mind is Glendora a fan favorite by RK fans and is usually thought to be a slower song (as heard on Initial Friend EP) but this version is faster or more angry picture of RK was a Riot Grrrl band and that's what you'd expect. 3 of the tracks on this cassette are only found on this cassette and NEED to be listened to by fans of Rilo Kiley or indie / alt rock.

Favorite Track: 13 this song is for anyone who grew up questioning their sexuality and finding self acceptance through learning through growing up

The Sandbox Sessions (1998)

1. Papillon
2. Cousin To Cousin
3. Glendora
4. The Frug
5. Dead Cat
6. 13

The second release I'm sharing is The Initial Friend EP this EP was self released by the band three different times, the only difference in each of these pressings were a song or two but most of the songs are the same with some slight variations so for the sake of saving time and space I've compiled all three pressings into on album, enjoy

P.S the final 2 songs are about 8 minutes of a car's door open alarm sounding on repeat but the song Troubadours follows the first song and in the 2nd annoying noise of death track, a voicemail between Jenny, Blake and others is heard.

Favorite Track : Troubadours , This song has so much stuff going on it's hard to pinpoint all instruments and devices being used; the song shows how great Jenny is at telling a story and shows of what's to come in later releases, If i had to compare this song to another band I would probably put it close to Hop Along, Queen Ansleis' Freshman Year

The Initial Friend EP Complete (1998-2001)

1. The Frug
2. 85
3. Glendora
4. Papillon
5. Teenage Love Song
6. Asshole
7. Sword
8. Steve
9. Keep It Together
10. Troubadours
11. Annoying Noise of Death pt. 1
12. Annoying Noise of Death pt. 2
13. Gravity



The third and final release I'm sharing is Rkives Cassette
this release was bundled with Rilo Kiley's final release Rkives these songs were demos that never became B-sides which makes the quality not the best but are essential if you want a complete RK discog.

Favorite Track: Are You Sad? (Blake's House)
this is one of the few songs released under the Rilo Kiley name that someone besides Jenny sings on, Blake's voice is soft low and haunting with melodic guitar work to accompany.

Rkives Cassette (199x-2013)

1. All the Drugs ( Garage Band Demo)
2. Are You Sad? (Blake's House)
3. Close Call (Garage Band Demo)
4. Commoner (Wilton House Demo)
5. Pull Me In Tighter (Sunset Sound Demo)
6. That's How I Choose To Remember It (4 Track Demo)
7. The Good That Won't Come Out (4 Track Demo)