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ONE WAY Recommends [Issue
#19]
The Elected By
Dave Lewis
Sun, Sun, Sun
(CD
Sub Pop)
Side projects often
reside in the shadow of the more established bands, but LA’s indie rock darlings,
Rilo Kiley, have gotten to a point where its members’ solo ambitions are
a welcome change of pace. Singer Jenny Lewis has successfully struck out on her
own and guitarist/vocalist Blake Sennett’s sideband, The Elected, has just
released their second CD, Sun Sun Sun. Drawing from a well similar to Rilo
Kiley’s, but more on the lo-fi folksy side, The Elected is largely Sennett’s
own solo show as he writes and sings all the songs as well as plays guitar. He
also co-produced the disc along with talented multi-instrumentalist Mike Bloom.
Rilo Kiley drummer Jason Boesel sits in on most of the tunes, and Lewis even adds
some vocals on two tracks. Surely counting Elliott Smith and Iron and Wine among
their influences, The Elected bring a faux-folk feeling to their warm, poppy sound
(even the album’s dusty artwork recalls rural mountain settings). Veering
toward country-rock, much of Sun is instantly catchy and, like Rilo Kiley,
is easy on the ears (Sennett sounds adorably lovelorn, even when he’s cursing).
“Would You Come With Me” and “Not Going Home” are the standouts
on this solid set of tunes.
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