Actually, Mr. Sennett, I beg to differ. Technically speaking, I'd say you second. Second in terms of side projects by members of Rilo Kiley, that is. I vaguely remember this record by this sad dude with a band named after a Bonzo Dog Band song, and I think he got his friend with a groove box and Logic software to help him out. Oh, and then they called this girl with a really pretty voice who really likes the way the sad dude writes songs. At least it seems that way when you listen to the songs she writes. I think it was called, I don't know, something to do with the post office maybe? I digress.
When it comes to side projects, self-indulgence is generally the motivating factor and Me First is certainly no exception. The recipe would spell success if the aforementioned other Rilo Kiley side project were any barometer against which to judge it. All the elements are in place here ”” center Mike Mogis, producer extraordinaire; power forward Jimmy Tamborello, blip-and-beat master; and rounded out by teammates Jason Boesel (Rilo Kiley), Daniel Brummel (Ozma), and Mike Bloom. It's even recorded at the late, great Elliott Smith's studio. However, the songwriting has fallen short. There are some great moments ”” the Fred-Neil-siphoned-through-the-Zombies plucked pop of "British Columbia," the subtle, psychedelic, lilting stringiness of "A Response to Greed," "7 September 2003," which sounds something like Ira Kaplan fronting the Jayhawks, and shockingly enough, the Rilo-Kiley-cum-Postal-Service sweetness of "Don't Blow It," featuring guest vocalist Jenny Lewis. The rest is peppered with dissatisfying, mommy-daddy emotastic lyrics, Jeff Tweedy impressions, and Four Tet-inspired, stop-on-a-dime, into-something-totally-unrelated segues that don't really belong on a country-twinged "let's hang out, drink, and make a record, dudes" kind of affair. Better fleshed-out and more focused, much of this material would have been best suited for the next Rilo Kiley record.
Records like this have become Sub Pop's forte as of late, with Isaac Brock playing resident A&R guy; but bands like the Beachwood Sparks, Iron & Wine, and the Fruit Bats seem to not leave a lot of necessity for afterthought, side-project versions of the same fodder. Die-hard Rilo Kiley fans, Elliott Smith archivists, and over-zealous Saddle Creek enthusiasts only need pack their satchels for this Sentimental Journey.
1. 7 September 2003
2. Greetings in Braille
3. My Baby's a Dick
4. A Time for Emily
5. Don't Get Your Hopes Up
6. Waves (The Time That You're Awake)
7. The Miles `til Home
8. Go On
9. C'mon, Mom
10. A Response to Greed
11. Don't Blow It
12. British Columbia
More about: The Elected
