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[review]
from
http://www.soundsxp.com/gigs/gigs20.html
Rilo Kiley / Engerica (Dublin Castle, London)
First up and looking too trendy for metal, Engerica played a feisty set
of staccato hardcore and tightly controlled early Metallica-esque thrash
fests. Presumably their name is some sort of Spooneristic pun on generic
output but, while hardly an wholly radical departure, they showed a
skill and energy that sets them well above some of the metal plodders
I've seen here. For a trio in such a small venue they also managed a
suprisingly meaty sound. There's still some work to be done on the
lyrics mind you: "You are shit, you eat shit, you are what you eat."
won't win 'em any prizes.
Now, it's often claimed that the film world isn't as glamourous as we
might believe. But I'd lay good odds that it beats the shit out of being
second on a bill of four down the Dublin Castle on a Tuesday night.
Nevertheless, the two diminutive former actors that front the
Californian four piece Rilo Kiley don't seem to care. Jenny Lewis might
have appeared opposite the likes of Angelina Jolie and Reese
Witherspoon, but she seems genuinely glad to be playing a short set for
a few dozen Londoners at the opening of the band's first European tour.
Blake Sennett takes more time to come out of his endearingly geeky
shell, but after a few songs he dares to peek from under an extravagent
fringe and even utter a few words. Maybe the nervousness is
understandable - their unashamedly intelligent and melodic guitar and
synth indie pop wouldn't immediately seem to fit in with the rest of the
rather metaltastic bill - but they needn't have worried. As a general
rule of course, "Actors shouldn't sing and singers shouldn't act" is one
of the less violable rules of good taste, but there are always
exceptions (Will Oldham among them). Live, Rilo Kiley beef up their
short selection from their rather magnificent second full album, Lewis
giving a harder edge to her delicate voice to compliment the greater
power of the guitars. Kicking off with the album's title track and
imminent new single - the Execution of all Things (including the sweetly
sung couplet "we'll murder what matters to you most and move on to you
neighbours and kids") they launch into a series of well crafted, both
danceable and substantial pieces of bittersweet sunshine. Closing up
with the synth heavy and marching beat backed celebration of inadequacy
and the breathless rush of Spectacular Views, complete with forgiveably
self-indulgent ending, they leave us grinning, but wanting rather more
than this heavenly half hour. Fortunately they're back a the end of the
month to light up another of Camden's dingy backrooms. Hopefully the
Barfly on the 26th will mark the end of a tour that will see Rilo Kiley
capture more hearts across the continent on the way to bigger things.
Setlist: Execution of all Things, Capturing Moods, My Slumbering Heart,
The Good that Won't Come Out, Paint's Peeling, A Better Son/Daughter,
Spectacular Views.
Reviewed by Matt H
[another review]
Heya! i went to the gig and it was really good!!! Jenny was so cute
i never realised that she was so tiny!!!
But they put on a really good show even though it was only for about
30 mins!!
-K
[another review]
Given the size of the Dublin Castle it's a good job they aren't giants!
The half hour was down to the fact that they were second of four bands
on. It was a top quality half hour mind you- hope to get more at Barfly
at the end of the month. Bonus for me was that being an old git I was
able to go home early for a nice mug of cocoa.
-SPT
[another review]
"We feel like pussies compared to the other bands," said
Rilo Kiley's Jenny Lewis ever-so-sweetly, the band having found themselves
squeezed onto a hardcore bill at Camden's Dublin Castle for their UK
debut. Sensibly deciding not to try competing in the pain-infliction
and gurning stakes, RK stuck to their own brand of twinkly 'n' crunchy
angst-y pop. And, though it lasted little more than half-an-hour, what
a total joy it was to see them here at last. Elfin dynamic duo Jenny
L. (resplendent in black velvet hotpants over bright yellow tights)
and guitarist Blake Sennet led their quartet through a fine set which
cherrypicked their most recent release, The execution of all things,
capped by a ripping Spectacular views. Hopefully the band will get to
play a bit longer when they return to Camden (Barfly) on the 26th -
you're going, surely?!
-S Mc (http://www.reallyrather.blogspot.com/)
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