REVIEW

Concert Review: Rilo Kiley at the House of Blues, Orlando, Florida - Oct. 2, 2007

Written by Donald Gibson
Published October 03, 2007

Snowball digs Jenny Lewis.

Lead guitarist, Blake Sennett, introduced his blond-haired brother from out of town, who he curiously called Snowball, adding that the band would perform his favorite Rilo Kiley song in honor of his attendance. “Try to hear this through Snowball’s ears,” Sennett added before the band launched into “Rise Up With Fists!!!” which, technically, isn’t even a Rilo Kiley song. It’s a Jenny Lewis song, from her solo side project last year.

Despite the discrepancy, this was neither the first nor the last time that Jenny Lewis would become the focus of Rilo Kiley’s concert on Tuesday night at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida. In an 80-minute set, the coquettish front woman entertained an enthusiastic crowd with flirtation and finesse, performing songs about promiscuity, adultery, and pornography, among other sordid versions of love.

Dressed in matching black hot pants and bustier, all five feet of Lewis looked ever so diminutive with an electric guitar slung on her shoulder for “Close Call.” “Funny thing about money for sex,” Lewis snarled, “You might get rich, but you die by it.”

On “Breakin’ Up,” she abandoned the axe to strut the stage, spiritedly banging on a cowbell, drawing howls and screams every time she postured or pouted. “The Moneymaker,” a strip-club anthem if ever there was one, turned the packed concert hall into a hotbed, for those so inclined, to slip into a sweltering groove.

If these songs lacked substance or if this band fell short on talent, such a performance would seem gratuitous. Fortunately, though, these are some well-written pop songs and this is one seriously proficient group of musicians.

On top of the polished pop songs, country-styled tracks like “I Never,” which notably featured Lewis on keyboards, and “A Man/Me/Then Jim,” further illustrated the breadth of influence and ability among the band members. The rhythm section of bassist Pierre de Reeder and drummer Jason Boesel laid the perfect foundation for tracks especially like these to flourish.

All eyes and attention fell back upon Lewis, nonetheless, as she girlishly ambled back to the keyboard to begin the encore. After a subtle swig of beer, she and the rest of Rilo Kiley played “Give A Little Love,” which preceded a thrilling rendition of “Does He Love You?” that sent the already excited crowd into increased and deafening cries of joy. Near the stage, one young man leaped in the air, trying to reach Lewis as she sang the song’s final words and waved goodbye.

Clearly, Snowball is not alone in digging Jenny Lewis.

A graduate of the University of South Florida with a B.A. in English, Donald Gibson writes about music as well as on film, books, and various pop culture topics.

He is a regular contributor to Blogcritics Magazine and he publishes his own website.

Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Buy from Amazon.com
Under the Blacklight Under the Blacklight
Rilo Kiley
Music,
More Adventurous More Adventurous
Rilo Kiley
Music,
Rabbit Fur Coat Rabbit Fur Coat
Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
Music,

Concert Review: Rilo Kiley at the House of Blues, Orlando, Florida - Oct. 2, 2007
Published: October 03, 2007
Type: Review
Section: Music
Filed Under: Music: Indie Rock, Music: Live Concerts, Music: Pop
Writer: Donald Gibson
Donald Gibson's BC Writer page
Donald Gibson's personal site
Spread the Word
Like this article?
Email this
Submit to del.icio.us Save to del.icio.us
RSS Feeds
All RSS Feeds (240+)
Comments on this article
BC articles by Donald Gibson
Music: Indie Rock
Music: Live Concerts
Music: Pop
All Music Articles
All Review articles
All BC articles
All BC Comments

Comments

Want comments emailed to you? No spam, promise! Address:

Add your comment, speak your mind

(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/69416)

Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.





Remember Name/URL?

Please preview your comment!

Fresh
Articles
Fresh
Comments