The Execution of All Things

Last updated

The Execution of All Things
Rilo Kiley - The Execution Of All Things.jpg
Studio album by
Rilo Kiley
ReleasedOctober 1, 2002 (2002-10-01)
RecordedMarch 2002
Studio Presto! (Lincoln)
Genre Indie rock
Length47:44
Label Saddle Creek
Producer Mike Mogis
Rilo Kiley chronology
Take Offs and Landings
(2001)		The Execution of All Things
(2002)		 More Adventurous
(2004)
Singles from The Execution of All Things
  1. "The Execution of All Things"
    Released: September 22, 2003

The Execution of All Things is the second full-length album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley. Expanding on their previous musical sound that mostly incorporated guitars, vocals, percussion and pianos, the album contains heavy electronica sampling mixed into the songs in a rather unusual and displaced-sounding way. Also, unlike their previous tracks which were written in very traditional manners, the lyrics to the songs on Execution are very wordy and read like prose. Musically, the record has a very sunny disposition, with bouncing bass lines and simple melodies complemented by lead singer Jenny Lewis's vocal style, but the upbeat music is generally counterpointed by the often dark and morose subject matter that the lyrics reference. The album was released by Saddle Creek Records in Omaha, Nebraska, and the aforementioned features show the influence of that studio's associated Omaha Sound. It was recorded at Presto! in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Contents

The album is also strung together by a song that is broken into pieces and that trails between several tracks. Called "And That's How I Choose to Remember It", it tells the story of Lewis' childhood and her parents' divorce. This theme is visited throughout the album, which is lyrically filled with childhood recollections of loss, displacement, anger and hopelessness.

The songs "So Long" and "Three Hopeful Thoughts" feature lead vocals by Blake Sennett. Lewis sings lead on all other tracks.

The song "With Arms Outstretched" played in the final moments of the series finale of Weeds , just as it had in the pilot.

The song "A Better Son/Daughter" was played in the trailer for the first season of the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black . It is also featured at the end of Hannah Gadsby's 2018 Netflix special Nanette .

Critical reception and legacy

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 80/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Alternative Press Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Drowned in Sound 8/10 [5]
Entertainment Weekly A− [6]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [7]
MSN Music (Consumer Guide)A [8]
Pitchfork 7.5/10 [9]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Uncut Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [11]

Critics received the album positively upon release. Pitchfork praised the album's music and lyrics — saying "the words here are descriptive and articulate, but gracefully rendered" — writing that the album surpassed all Rilo Kiley's prior work. [12]

Anne Hathaway called the track "A Better Son/Daughter" "a life-changing song" for helping to improve her mental health during a difficult period of her life in 2009. [13]

Critics again celebrated the album at its 20th anniversary in 2022. Stereogum called Better Son/Daughter a "towering, monumental achievement" and praised the interconnected nature of all the tracks on the album. [14] Paste Magazine noted "the album's continued reverberation in a new generation of contemporary artists and listeners" and praised its treatment of mental illness, trauma, and gender. [15]

In the years since its release, Things has impacted various musicians. In a 2013 interview, indie rock musician Waxahatchee revealed that she had bought the album "when it had just come out" and "listened to [it] so many times." [16] In a Talkhouse essay released the following year, she wrote of feeling "a massive surge of enthusiasm and revelation" when listening and realized "that I really wanted to make music myself." She singled out the album's "musical theater-like vocal glory" and its lyrics' "airtight incisiveness" as inspiring to her. [17] Harmony Tividad, bassist for former duo Girlpool, called opening track "The Good That Won't Come Out" one of her all-time favorite songs. [18]

Track listing

All songs written by Jenny Lewis and Blake Sennett, except where noted.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Good That Won't Come Out" 4:31
2."Paint's Peeling" 3:20
3."The Execution of All Things"Ben Boyer, Lewis, Sennett4:13
4."So Long" 5:27
5."Capturing Moods" 3:35
6."A Better Son/Daughter" 4:39
7."Hail to Whatever You Found in the Sunlight That Surrounds You" 3:20
8."My Slumbering Heart" 5:36
9."Three Hopeful Thoughts" 2:50
10."With Arms Outstretched" 3:43
11."Spectacular Views" 6:30
Total length:47:44

Personnel

Sourced from The Execution of All Things' liner notes. [19]

Rilo Kiley

Additional musicians

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rilo Kiley</span> American indie rock band

Rilo Kiley was an American indie rock band based in Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1998, the band consisted of Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Dave Rock.

<i>The Initial Friend</i> 1999 EP by Rilo Kiley

Rilo Kiley, also known as The Initial Friend EP, is the first release by Los Angeles–based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially released independently in 1999 under the title Rilo Kiley. It was subsequently re-pressed in 2000 and again in 2001, under the name The Initial Friend EP with an alternate track-listing and cover. All three releases commonly sell on eBay for between $250–400 and are fairly rare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Lewis</span> American musician

Jennifer Diane Lewis is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and actress. She was the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist for the indie rock band Rilo Kiley.

<i>More Adventurous</i> 2004 studio album by Rilo Kiley

More Adventurous is the third studio album by American indie rock band Rilo Kiley. Released on August 17, 2004 by Brute/Beaute Records, a self-made imprint distributed by Warner Records, it was the band's major label debut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blake Sennett</span> American musician and actor

Blake Sennett is an American musician and actor who served as the lead guitarist for indie rock band Rilo Kiley, as well as the lead singer/lead guitarist for his alt-rock side project the Elected. Until 2017 he led Night Terrors of 1927 with Jarrod Gorbel. In addition to being a musician, Sennett was a teen actor, appearing on the television shows Salute Your Shorts and Boy Meets World. As an actor, Sennett originally went by the names Blake Soper and Blake Swendson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Elected</span> American indie rock group

The Elected are a Los Angeles–based indie rock band. The Elected have released two albums with Sub Pop: Me First in 2004, and Sun, Sun, Sun in 2006. A third album, Bury Me In My Rings, was released on 17 May 2011.

<i>Take Offs and Landings</i> 2001 studio album by Rilo Kiley

Take Offs and Landings is Rilo Kiley's debut full-length album, originally released in 2001 on the vanity label "Rilo Records", then shortly thereafter on the independent label Barsuk Records. It was released for the first time on vinyl on March 15, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Mogis</span> American multi-instrumentalist

Michael Riley Mogis is an American producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios. Mogis currently runs ARC in downtown Omaha.

<i>Motion Sickness</i> (album) 2005 live album by Bright Eyes

Motion Sickness: Live Recordings is a live album by Bright Eyes. Documenting the I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning tours from the first half of 2005, Motion Sickness is a compilation of live tracks, including covers of Feist and Elliott Smith. It comes with a 24-page booklet featuring an extensive tour diary written by Jason Boesel.

<i>Rabbit Fur Coat</i> 2006 studio album by Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins

Rabbit Fur Coat is an album in collaboration by Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley, with The Watson Twins. It was released in the United States on January 24, 2006, by Team Love. Lewis has described the album as a "sort of soul record". The album contains a cover of the Traveling Wilburys song "Handle With Care", featuring Ben Gibbard, Conor Oberst and M. Ward.

Nate Walcott is an American musical composer, arranger, pianist, keyboardist, and trumpeter. He has composed the scores for several feature-length films, including 2014's The Fault in Our Stars. He is a member of the band Bright Eyes, and has played in Conor Oberst's Mystic Valley Band and with singer-songwriter M. Ward. Between 2016 and 2019, Walcott was the touring pianist and keyboard player for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, during their The Getaway World Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whispertown</span> American indie music project

Whispertown is an American indie music project from Los Angeles, California, fronted by singer-songwriter Morgan Nagler. They have toured or performed with Bright Eyes, Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis, the Breeders, She & Him, Maria Taylor, M. Ward, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's and the Elected.

<i>Under the Blacklight</i> 2007 studio album by Rilo Kiley

Under the Blacklight is the fourth and final full-length studio album released by American alternative rock band Rilo Kiley. It was released on August 20, 2007, in the United Kingdom - three years and three days after the release of their third album, More Adventurous. Warner Bros. Records released the album one day later in the United States. "Silver Lining" was No. 27 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Best Songs of 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenny Lewis discography</span>

This is a comprehensive listing of official releases by Jenny Lewis, lead singer of the band Rilo Kiley.

<i>Acid Tongue</i> 2008 studio album by Jenny Lewis

Acid Tongue is the debut solo album, second overall by American singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis, released in September 2008 through Warner Bros. and Rough Trade Records. Inspired by jam sessions, the album was recorded December 2007-March 2008 in Van Nuys, California with the intent of capturing a more live feeling than 2006's Rabbit Fur Coat. Lewis worked with a number of guest musicians and wrote the album with boyfriend Johnathan Rice. Lewis, Rice, Jason Lader, and Dave Scher produced the album. Acid Tongue features musical styles ranging from indie rock to alternative country and Americana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Execution of All Things (song)</span> 2003 single by Rilo Kiley

"The Execution of All Things" is the title track of Los Angeles-based indie rock band Rilo Kiley's second album. It was released as a single on September 22, 2003 via Saddle Creek. Rilo Kiley's cover of The Velvet Underground's "After Hours" appears as a b-side, as does a new track called "Emotional ". The single and its b-sides are available to download on the iTunes Store.

<i>Maybe This Christmas Too?</i> 2003 compilation album by various artists

Maybe This Christmas Too? is a holiday compilation album released in October 2003 through Nettwerk Records featuring contemporary musicians performing both classic and original Christmas songs. The compilation served as a sequel to Maybe This Christmas (2002) and preceded Maybe This Christmas Tree (2004). A portion of the proceeds from the album went to Toys for Tots, a charity supported by the United States Marine Corps. Critical reception of the compilation, which failed to chart in any nation, was mixed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Bloom (musician)</span> American musician (born 1975)

Michael Evan Bloom is an American musician, singer, composer, producer and mixer who has performed, produced or recorded with artists such as Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis, Julian Casablancas, Johnathan Rice, Margot & the Nuclear So and So's, and Rachael Yamagata. He was a co-founder of The Elected. Bloom plays guitar, bass, lap steel guitar, keys, drums, banjo, and harmonica. He is also a composer and has served as music supervisor for films and TV shows. He is the younger brother of actor/writer Brian Bloom and actor/producer/writer Scott Bloom.

<i>Rkives</i> 2013 compilation album by Rilo Kiley

Rkives is a compilation album released in 2013 by Los Angeles–based band Rilo Kiley.

<i>Tigers Blood</i> 2024 studio album by Waxahatchee

Tigers Blood is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Waxahatchee. It was released on March 22, 2024, through Anti-.

References

  1. ↑ "Reviews for The Execution of All Things by Rilo Kiley". Metacritic . Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ Hopkin, Kenyon. "The Execution of All Things – Rilo Kiley". AllMusic . Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things". Alternative Press (173): 94. December 2002.
  4. ↑ Muirhead, Stuart (November 2002). "Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things". Blender (11): 140. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ Lovejoy, Sara (October 2, 2003). "Album Review: Rilo Kiley – The Execution of All Things". Drowned in Sound . Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  6. ↑ Brunner, Rob (November 8, 2002). "Listen 2 This*". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on December 22, 2002. Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  7. ↑ Bronson, Kevin (September 29, 2002). "Rilo Kiley 'The Execution of All Things' Saddle Creek". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 26, 2015.
  8. ↑ Christgau, Robert (April 9, 2013). "Rilo Kiley". MSN Music . Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ Dahlen, Chris (January 12, 2003). "Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things". Pitchfork . Retrieved July 26, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Rilo Kiley: The Execution of All Things". Q (204): 111. June 2003.
  11. ↑ "Rilo Kiley – The Execution Of All Things". Uncut (74): 114. July 2003. Archived from the original on December 27, 2005. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
  12. ↑ "The Execution of All Things". Pitchfork. January 12, 2003.
  13. ↑ Yahr, Emily (January 23, 2015). "The time Rilo Kiley brought Anne Hathaway back from the depths". The Washington Post.
  14. ↑ Rettig, James (September 29, 2022). "The Execution Of All Things Turns 20". Stereogum.
  15. ↑ Marlin, Natalie (September 30, 2022). "The Execution of All Things Turns 20: Revisiting Rilo Kiley's Nuanced Road Map for Indie Rock's Vulnerable Future". Paste Magazine.
  16. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (January 24, 2013). "Waxahatchee | Pitchfork". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  17. ↑ Crutchfield, Katie. "Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) Talks Jenny Lewis' The Voyager". Talkhouse . Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  18. ↑ Pelly, Jenn (March 21, 2019). "Jenny Lewis Escapes the Void | Pitchfork". Pitchfork . Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things". Discogs. October 2002.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.