Best of 2000s: Rilo Kiley - Under the Blacklight (4.5/5)

All music calls Rilo Kiley's Under the Blacklight a "sleazy crawl through L.A. nightlife, teaming with sex and tattered dreams." It's hard to believe the subject is so bleak, when the music is so upbeat and enjoyable. Although their fourth album, this was my first exposure to the band, and it remains my favorite. Sweet "Silver Lining," darker "Close Call," strutting "Moneymaker," and shoulda-been-a-major-hit "Under the Blacklight" are the standouts, but there are lots of gems here. The band received a lot of Fleetwood Mac comparisons with this disc, most apparent on "Dreams"-like "Dreamworld." Jaunty "Breaking Up" sounds a bit like No Doubt (and "Give a Little Love" like post-No Doubt Gwen Stefani). "Smoke Detector" is quite '70s. If that makes for an interesting mix of influences, it certainly makes for a good listen. This is one of the less mainstream entries in my best of 2000s series, so for those of you who have never heard of them, I highly recommend giving this a spin.

Best: Under the Black Light, Silver Lining, Close Call, The Moneymaker, Dreamworld, Give a Little Love