Rilo Kiley

When Jenny Lewis first went solo from Rilo Kiley, she had the Watson Twins to help her let us into her most soulful, folksy thoughts with each song. That debut was excellent and, like Death Cab's Ben Gibbard, I've been excitedly awaiting her next solo project, Acid Tongue. Today we can hear the whole thing for the first time on her MySpace page.

I've read that she was interested in rocking out this time, and that's definitely the case on this new album which is full of (non-twin) collaborators. There's M. Ward, Zooey Deschanel, Chris Robinson and even Elvis Costello! At times the vibe is psychedelic and trippy, but mostly I'd describe the album as eclectic. There's still twang there — even in her rock — which is smart because that's what suits her voice best, I think. But she also brings in the gospel ballads, along with tunes that sound exactly like some good ol' Rilo Kiley stuff.

What I appreciate most after taking a first listen is how ambitious it all is, and overall I like the way her tracks transported me to another hazy time. This is definitely an album that will be awesome to hear live. I've jotted down a few thoughts on each of the songs for your consideration, so read more

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• Speaking of hot, eye candy alert! You Ain't No Picasso has pictures from Rilo Kiley's set at Bonnaroo.
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Covers can be an iffy thing. Nothing sucks more than having a song you like butchered to pieces, and conversely, it's a bit of an awesome surprise when a song you like is redone well. Thankfully, Rilo Kiley recently did a super job covering Pete Townshend's "Let My Love Open the Door" at South by Southwest.

It's a sweet, feel-good song in general and the cover doesn't mess with it too much, which is great. I like it way more than the Steve Carell-Dane Cook cover in Dan in Real Life, that's for sure.

For a nice, Monday afternoon pick-me-up, check out the MP3 of the live show, courtesy of YouAintNoPicasso.

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While the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival has become a giant, crowded experience that has gone increasingly Hollywood over the years, the festival still continues to book some pretty excellent bands. At first glance, this year's lineup, announced Monday at a press conference in Mexico City, has some folks feeling underwhelmed. Still, there's enough good stuff planned for the three days of fun in the Southern California desert that music fans like myself will still want to get busy mapping out the bands they want to see from April 25 to 27.

The big news this year is a performance by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, who will re-create Dark Side of the Moon, as well as a Portishead reunion, according to the LA Times. The festival organizers also confirmed what had been rumored for months: They're bringing a Coachella-style music festival to the East Coast. On Aug. 8 to 10, the first All Points West Music & Arts Festival will take place at Liberty State Park in New Jersey. This might be a good option for the not-so-outdoorsy music lover, because it won't have camping a la Cochella.

For more information about how to get tickets and to hear about some of the bands from the 125-act lineup that caught my eye, read more

• Hollywood writers went on strike this week, shutting down The Office and delaying 24, among other things. I wondered if you care and whether the strike will make you watch more Web-exclusive shows.
• It was a week chock full of music videos, so watch as Rilo Kiley does The Frug, Jay-Z becomes an American Gangster, Rashida Jones rocks out with the Foo Fighters, and John C. Reilly walks hard.
• We learned a lot about next summer's Valkyrie, thanks to this featurette and a full-length trailer.
• This week saw the release of Lions for Lambs, and I wondered how you felt about movies dealing with contemporary politics.
• What's your list of the worst TV shows ever?
• NPR Music got infinitely cooler with its great new Web site. Also, I suggested a step-by-step guide to getting into Neko Case.
• It was a week for first looks at a couple of creepy things: the Terminator-based Sarah Connor Chronicles and the freaky-looking film Awake.
• And finally, something to mull over for the rest of the weekend: Who could be the heir to John Cusack in an updated Say Anything?

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Ok, Rilo Kiley fans, are you ready for a serious geek-out? If any of you saw child-actress-turned-frontwoman Jenny Lewis in her star-making role in Troop Beverly Hills, then you may remember the scene in which troop leader Shelley Long teaches the girls a bunch of 1960s dances, such as "The Freddy." In fact, my memory is hazy, but I think there was a scene at a nursing home, with dancing elderly folks, set to the tune of "Do the Freddy." (Does anyone remember this? Help me out here.)

Anyway, given Lewis's personal history with such dances, I've always thought it utterly charming that the singer penned a track called "The Frug" that name-checks many of those same dance moves. The hard-to-find 1998 song appeared on the soundtrack for a movie called Desert Blue, which is infinitely more obscure than Troop Beverly Hills (but check out that cast!). Thankfully, The Music Slut graciously unearthed it this week. To listen and tell me what you think — and, now, watch the adorable video — just read more

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• CasaSugar has a look at Miranda Hobbes' Sex and the City home.
• Popwatch has to admit that Fergie's new video for "Clumsy" totally rules.
• Two and a Half Men has hit its 100th episode, and TV Filter wonders why so many of us can't be bothered to care.
• The TV Addict has a chat with Tate Donovan of Damages.
• Mark Wahlberg chats with the MTV Movies Blog about working with M. Night Shyamalan on The Happening.
• Give Me My Remote wonders: Is Brothers & Sisters too much of a downer sometimes?
• Idolator poses a theory that Rilo Kiley gets worse as Jenny Lewis' skirts get shorter.
• Best Week Ever thinks The Price is Right seemed rigged on Drew Carey's first day.

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Watching Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley on stage is to see someone completely aware of the spells she can cast on a crowd. A little shrug of the shoulders here, a cock of the eyebrow there, and in no time, the audience for Rilo Kiley's show at The Warfield last week was thoroughly held in thrall by Lewis' charm and blockbuster voice.

But Lewis' sly sexiness wasn't the only thing keeping eyes glued to the stage. Touring in support of Under the Blacklight, the group's first album since 2004, Rilo Kiley trotted out an almost flawless set of old favorites, new standouts, and even a cover tune of sorts. For me, it was one of those strange, rare concert experiences where the band plays virtually every song you'd hope to hear from their catalog and none of the ones you'd pray they skip. To hear more about what made the show a standout, read more

Well, as if I weren't already pumped to see Rilo Kiley live tonight, this music video for "Silver Lining" — easily my most-played song off the group's new album, Under the Blacklight — just made me even more excited for the show.

In the video, the ever-adorable Jenny Lewis plays a blushing bride in white who ends up leaving her groom-to-be at the altar during the song's climactic moments. Better yet, the ditched groom is Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennett, who was Lewis' real-life flame more than a decade ago. Who knew jilted love could be so darn cute? To watch the video, read more