Rilo Kiley More Adventurous. Release Date : August 17, 2004. Label: Brute/Beaute. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. Ah, girl emo. Gentler, but still as sombre. Jenny Lewis has a sweet but powerful voice, showcasing all the insecurities of a girl these days. The music this band has is accessible but unique - trumpets, for example, come in on the opening track, "It's A Hit." So outright, it's not off-the-hook-crazy music, but it feels like it's got enough behind it to really really go somewhere. See, already as I write this, the song climbs towards the end, huge piles of instruments toss themselves into the fray, and everything becomes so engaging. Release the ticker tape! It sounds like a celebration! Oh, but then it can turn on its tail with Lewis' sad voice on "Does He Love You?." I love her voice - it's childlike without being irritatingly girly or going overboard and trying to be too rough when she steps it up a bit. Gorgeous strings sink in here as well. These songs are so straight-forward but those climbs that come in and the 'less-typical' instruments and breakdowns are great. "Portions For Foxes" really speaks to me. So sad and sweet. "Ripchord" starts like an old record, a single acoustic, and so rustic. Add in some slow country-kissed ballads and bounce back and forth between the styles, keep that slow, tear-jerking voice in there - a lovely, quiet disc for a night alone. Song of choice : "Portions For Foxes," but I may be biased... great video for that tune as well. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Rilo Kiley website Published : June, 2005.