Idolator
But seriously, have these people no shame? Do they not type these ridiculous, indefensible, but ultimately simply inappropriate headline questions—questions based on imperfect comparisons at best and on a total horseshit whim at worst—and not feel some sort of guilt or at least a sharp, shooting pain akin to colitis or swallowing a bucket full of thumbtacks as their inner hack strains itself beyond logic and reason? Is Cheech Marin the new Pope John Paul II? Are baked beans the new natiional security policy? Is a horse the new frisbee?
Are Rilo Kiley the new Fleetwood Mac? Because they used to fuck, broke up, but have since stuck it out as a songwriting pair? Because they're white people making rock music in America? Because they're humans born in the 20th-century with no visible deformities? Jenny Lewis isn't fit to carry the train of one of Stevie's '80s nightmare frocks and Lindsay Buckingham wouldn't have killed Blake Lewis and used his corpse's sternum as a pale, scrawny coffee table to do lines off of. And trust me, once you hear the compressed turd that is the "radio-ready" new Rilo Kiley album, the comparison's going to seem even more ridiculous. And I like Rilo Kiley.
[EDIT: I just noticed the little asterix next to the headline, which means there's probably some cutesy little "just kidding!" get-out-of-jail clause somewhere within the magazine. But I'm sticking with my semi-exhausted ire, dammit.]
[EDIT 2: This goof dryly notes that I accidentally typed "Lewis" twice when the Rilo Kiley chump's name is Blake Sennett. I'd make a joke about Rilo Kiley fans bein' self-righteous/cranky but anyone listening to Robert Pollard solo albums and Bad Religion in 2007 is helpfully taking care of the jokes themselves.]
Comments
Well, I think there's a slight bit of context, in that one of the tracks off the new Rilo Kiley album ("Dreamworld," I believe) sounds something like a "Rumours"-era track.
Not sure if they are "contextual", but the ads accompanying this post are for ... "Under the Blacklight." At this point they don't say, "Makes me want to blow my head off -- Idolator.com".
Now that's how you start off a Monday! Huzzah!
I wish they'd go nu-gaze.
while listening to the new rilo kiley, i think i actually did comment "this sounds like shitty fleetwood mac" so maybe the comparison is a bit apt...
@pjohn: "Shitty", being the key-word.
Well, there are a lot of tall, doofy-looking dudes with mellifluous names in the rhythm section.
So if Rilo Kiley are being compared to Fleetwood Mac, then who would Budnick and Donkey Lips be compared to if they put out an album?
Damn, what did Rilo Kiley ever do to Spin? A cover is basically code for "YOU MAKE THE WHITEST MUSIC KNOWN TO MAN." That was cold, yo.
This explains so much why it's dropping for $7.99 at Best Buy this week. Which saddens me, because the last album that I was looking for that was cheap (Twin Cinema, New Pornagraphers) was one of the most disappointing things I've ever hear.
@Audif Jackson Winters III: That's exactly what I was thinking, except I don't think Fleetwood Mac would have fucked up the vocals quite so badly.
I think the only way they are substantially similar is in that they both put out a few really great albums in their early careers then took a nose dive. And in FM's case I am referring to their career during the Stevie/Lindsey incarnation.
Bravo on this post, Jess. I am perhaps the biggest Rilo Kiley fan around and even I think the new album is kind of gross and that this whole FM comparison thing is a crock.
Baked beans > Michael Chertoff
@Juancho: and I think the new New Pornographers is on the super cheap sale at Best Buy tomorrow too...this can't be a good sign
Re NPs: I'm seeing a lot of mediocre reviews for Challengers. Given that it's inspiring some writers to re-evaluate Twin Cinema as some sort of career highlight, I'm not getting my hopes up for anything on the level of "Miss Teen Wordpower" or "It's Only Divine Right" or even "Sing Me Spanish Techno."
@mike a: Twin Cinema would have been good if it didn't sound like total crap. The mastering made it unlistenable.
Mike: 'Challengers' is no Mass Romantic or even Electric Version, I thought it sucked. And I don't even think Twin Cinemas is in the same league as the first two.
And Rilo Kiley, I just don't get them, although I much enjoy Ms. Lewis' solo record.
@Aquemini: Yeah, I really like that Jenny Lewis solo record too. I always thought Rilo Kiley was okay, not great, but her solo album is awesome. I dunno if it's the smaller scale, or maybe the lack of cheesy/lame guitar wanking...wait, yeah, that's probably what it is.
I gave "Challengers" about five listens, and there's nothing I want to go back for. Which is very disappointing for a NP album.
So, is hating on Rilo Kiley the new hating on Amy Winehouse? Because, dammit, I'm not finished hating on her just yet.
Plus, fuck it, I like the new Rilo album.
@cerulgalactus: It's not as bad as folks on the internuts are making out, but there are a few shockingly bad tracks, which are made worse by the cringe-worthy overproduction.
@tigerpop: Oh god, I thought it was just me. It made my entire body hurt to listen to it. No, really.
nobody even dealt with the issue at hand, so I will.
yes, lil boosie is the new bobby mcferrin. don't worry, wipe me down.
I'm disappointed because I actually like Rilo Kiley's other records.
Challengers is okay. Not great, but not terrible.
Cleanup, much, much later in the day:
@pr0ff3ss0r_j3rkwh3at: Yes, it is. Which leads me to...
@tigerpop: I agree! Because I love Neko Case.
I bought it on sale with Cat Power's The Greatest, which I was even more disappointed in. (Cat Power+Memphis Horns meant I was expecting greatness.) I couldn't hear the vocals at all. It just baffled me, the production was awful. Thanks, Matador.
Juancho don't stain the memory of Lee Marvin!
"the production was awful" - no shit?, poor thing! most of the comments make me wanna quit the human race, shut up you cunts and do something
worthwhile
Should I feel good that Spin is giving a cover to a band I've never heard of (and nobody in said band is topless) or should I feel old for not knowing who these people are, or should I feel proud that I remain ignorant?
Also, The New Pornos have gone downhill ever since the awesome/sublime/amazing Mass Romantic, but AC Newman still looks incredibly hot in those NY Times pics of him marrying Barbie.
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