"Under the Blacklight," the second major label effort by Cali alt-rockers Rilo Kiley, couldn't be more appropriately titled in regards to the band's leader and frontwoman, Jenny Lewis.
After releasing a pair of acclaimed indie albums earlier in the decade, Lewis and her cohorts dropped anchor with heavy hitters Warner Bros. for 2004's aptly titled "More Adventurous."
But rather than follow corporate procedure once the album ran its course, Lewis took a sharp left, returning to her indie roots last year with the Watson Sisters-augmented "Rabbit Fur Coat." To the surprise of many, "Rabbit" shed near-universal kudos on Lewis, as the album landed on many a critic's top 10 list come year's end.
Given "Rabbit's" impressive tracks, it's no surprise that "Blacklight" has fared as well as anything in her original band's past. Rolling Stone rolled out the carpet for Lewis and her cohorts last month with a four-star review and, for better or for worse, a fashion spread.
"Blacklight" also entered the Billboard 200 album chart at the 22nd spot; not a bad number for a band whose mainstream radio support has been pretty much nil but is worthy of plenty, regardless of the hype.
Opening for Kiley are Cali up-and-comers Jonathan Rice and Grand Old Party
Rilo Kiley, Jonathan Rice, Grand Old Party, 7 p.m. Saturday, Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine, Chicago. $26. FYI: (312) 559-1212 or www.jamusa.com
Steepwater Band, 9 tonight, Horseshoe, 4115 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago. Free (21 and older).
(Think of this pick as "Tunes & Tix with tastebuds": Horseshoe is located in Chicago's Northcenter neighborhood on a four-block stretch known for its exquisite barbecue offerings, and conveniently enough, only a few blocks from T&T Central, where we are carryout regulars (our choice: the beef brisket, and the sooner they bottle their in-house sweet-and-heat sauce, the better).
While a tiny live venue, Horseshoe is one of only a small handful of alt-country and roots/jam rock hotspots with an eye on region acts on the North Side.
Reopened in July after shutting its doors for a couple months and under new management, area greats Steepwater Band are performing on one of that neighborhood's best-kept live secrets.
Steepwater Band also is scheduled to perform Saturday at the Division Street Festival, also on Chicago's North Side, on Division Street between Damen and Ashland. FYI: (773) 248-1366 or myspace.com/horseshoechicago.
On sale now
For more information, contact the venues or Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or www.ticketmaster.com. Unless otherwise indicated, all shows are all ages.
Neil Young, Nov. 12, 13 at the Chicago Theater
The Decemberists, Oct. 28-29, Vic Theatre
Stevie Nicks, Oct. 19, Rosemont Theatre
Rooney, Oct. 7, Vic Theatre
Pat Monahan, Oct. 26, House of Blues (18 and older)
Rascal Flatts, Oct. 12, Allstate Arena
As I Lay Dying, Nov. 19, House of Blues
Coheed and Cambria, Nov. 2, Riviera Theatre
Broken Social Scene, Nov. 3, Metro (18 and older)
Pepper, Oct. 25, House of Blues (18 and older)
The Verve Pipe, Dec. 15, Double Door (21 and older)
The opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. He can be reached at T.shellberg@comcast.net.
