Rilo Kiley. Leaving the indie ghetto soon?

Another night with a very good atmosphere and some lovely, lovely peeps. I got all great requests tonight: Proof, Shellac, Dean Martin… it makes me happy people are asking for such varied stuff.

Top new tune tonight was Rilo Kiley’s ‘Accidntel Deth,’ taken from their new album, ‘More Adventurous,’ which is released on the 17th August. The title is an in-joke pun since this track was produced by Dntel which is another project of the extra prolific Jimmy Tamborello (see also Figurine, The Postal Service and Strictly Ballroom). It’s a swoonsome pop song, full of vivid lyrical imagery and hooky hooks. The album is very, very, very poppy and I’d be surprised if it doesn’t gain Rilo Kiley greater acclaim, especially since it’s being distributed by Warners. Maybe the big time and the pop charts are calling RK?

(As an aside: what’s going on in the US indiepop scene? How come so many bands I like are all vaguely related. The Elected, Rilo Kiley, Postal Service, Death Cab… bizarre!)

The best old tune tonight was ‘Quiet Life’ by Japan. It’s a perfect pop song and apart from the killer melody and ace riffs, it’s some of the best drumming ever recorded. Not flashy in a prog or jazz way but just listen to Steve Jansen’s incredible feel and fluidity. Not the easiest thing to communicate when you’re drumming along to a click-track/arpeggiator. Seeing as how we’re currently reliving the ’80s, now that The Pop Group, Gang Of Four and The Au Pairs have all been ripped-off by contemporary bands, it can only be a matter of days before some sharp young things hook up a post-punk beat to an arpeggiator. If they’re looking for a template, Japan did it all brilliantly.

Heartaches from Amsterdam, masturbated over jilted bouquets:

Decemberists – Billy Liar
Squarepusher – A Journey To Reedham [7.Am Mix]
3rd Bass – The Gas Face
Pedro The Lion – Bands With Managers
International Noise Conspiracy – My Star
Tigrics – Public Gameover
Slum Village – Tainted
Death Cab For Cutie – I Was A Kaleidoscope
Minutemen – Shit You Hear At Parties
Pavement – Grave Architecture
Emotional Joystick – Eight
Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon
Sleater Kinney – Off With Your Head
From Autumn To Ashes – The After Dinner Payback
Tom Paxton – Lyndon Johnson Told The Nation
Brand Nubian – Coming Years
Rilo Kiley – Accidntel Deth
Pink Grease – The Pink G.R.Ease
C-Mon & Kypski – The Evil Needle
Atreyu – Right Side Of The Bed
Mavis Rivers – In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening
Bristols – Who Does She Think She Is
Proof – Bring It 2 Me Feat. Killa Khan
Doormouse – Puddy Tairs
Deerhoof – Milkman
Japan – Quiet Life
Mclusky – Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues
Focus – House Of The King
Alec Empire – Public Enemy Number One
Shellac – Prayer To God
Dean Martin – Hey Mambo
Outerspace Ft. Sadat X – Top Shelf
Ted Leo & The Pharmacists – Criminal Piece
The Shins – New Slang
Converge – Black Cloud
The Commodores – Machine Gun
The Futureheads – Robot
Deceptikon – Inaccessibility
Tragedy Khadafi – Eloheem
Ben Folds Five – Where’s Summer B.?
Joe Jackson – Steppin’ Out
Scene Creamers – Bag Inc.
Ben Kweller – Ann Disaster
Say Hi To Your Mom – Pop Music Of The Future
Najma Akhtar – Neend Koyi