Rilo Kiley

More adventurous indeed. Rilo Kiley's third album found the indie darlin' realizing the potential their alt-AM (plus guitars) coffee-shop rock always held -- commercial success. It's a good match: the professional polish of their major-label debut suits Rilo's "adult music for indie kids" (or, perhaps more accurately, "indie music for the adult alternative set") schtick. Former child actor Jenny Lewis' meticulously nuanced vocals and carefully crafted lyrics warm up tunes like public-radio hit "Portions for Foxes" and dark, buzzy dance-rocker "Love and War."

Traditionally, former child actors aren't a promising talent pool for rock bands, but Jenny
Lewis and Blake Sennett of Rilo Kiley are the exception: The third album from their L.A.
quartet packs big-city country music and meticulously breezy arrangements into eleven
sweet, heartbroken songs. They're sung by Lewis in a voice that's equal parts Loretta Lynn
and wounded indie girl. "Portions for Foxes" is near-perfect power pop with a "B... More >