A surprising amount of last year involved my spending of an inordinate amount of time trying to settle my own mind’s gentleman’s wager over two fantastic albums, released on the very same day last year, delivered by two different members of the same band — Rilo Kiley lead singer Jenny Lewis’ solo debut Rabbit Fur Coat and Rilo Kiley guitarist Blake Sennett’s sophomore disc, Sun, Sun, Sun. We’re still battling in triple overtime for this one. The conclusions have been a wash. Each time either of the albums are playing, for that instance, we have a winner, and then it all changes as soon as the other is thrown in. This has gone on and on since this exact same time in January of last year. I don’t see the quagmire ending any time soon. It’s probably both Lewis and Sennett’s abilities to take an empathetic approach to the working stiffs and the downtrodden on both of these discs, spiraling the sentiments into moods as flavorful snippets of dusty air, that capture imaginations that are usually too busy worrying about frivolities. It’s a chic thing to slum with the stories of those struggling to pay rent, those dreaming of mansions someday while living in a trailer park today and those trying to find a simplicity to life instead of wanting the biggest diamonds and the latest, greatest handheld technology. It could just be the storyteller in Sennett that makes these various situations effortlessly realized in a stable of songs that follow a sort of autumnal canter. The four tracks that Sennett chose for this session consist of a familiar coating of tough times on tender hearts — patience has been tried and things are rocky, but manageable. They feel made for one another and the general feeling in the control room that day (it’s a feeling that has sustained itself) is that this session wound up being the best sounding one we’ve done to date. We think that says a lot. The band arrived Oct. 27, minutes after Jolie Holland was here. Holland’s tour mate David Dondero had straggled behind and showed up halfway during her recording on the way to Des Moines for a show later that night. When told that The Elected was going to be here momentarily, Dondero became excited, as he and Sennett are old acquaintances. He decided he’d stick around — grab some pizza during the wait period — and at least say hello. When they got here, there were some hugs and Sennett invited David to play with him on a song that ultimately wasn’t recorded, as an alternate arrangement with Sennett on bass couldn’t get mastered with the time allowed. The four songs that were recorded have a gleam to them that complements their original nature and offers another layer of warmth. As the band was loading out down the staircase, I asked Sennett how he liked his Nike Frees. He told me he loved them and that they were the best shoes in the world. We said goodbye for then. — Sean Moeller

Sennett’s song explanations are forthcoming

First song
Would You Come With Me (The Elected) [2.46MB] [3255 downloads]


— original version appears on Sun, Sun, Sun
When this song was recorded first, it set the tone for what was to come next. The band was in fine — bottle of wine and fire — mode and Sennett seemed to be feeling the songs all over again. The way he whispers “leave right now” gets me every time. I picture the hunting scene at the beginning as an almost Elmer Fudd-ian experience with the protagonists in red and black hunting garb — hats with flaps — and big muskets that they’ve never shot before and never will. They don’t shoot at deer none.

Second song
Fireflies in a Steel Mill (The Elected) [3.84MB] [3120 downloads]


— original version appears on Sun, Sun, Sun
Disappearing ink and gold teeth come into play. There’s also a little sexual friskiness with the linens wiped from the bed and onto the floor, where they lie fresh-pressed.

Third song
Bank and Trust (The Elected) [2.79MB] [3066 downloads]


— original version appears on Sun, Sun, Sun
It makes me wonder who told him his songs suck. Why the fuck did that? I feel my temper rise each and every time he sings that line.

Fourth song
Not Going Home (The Elected) [4.61MB] [3096 downloads]


— original version appears on Sun, Sun, Sun
At once confused and certain. It’s about wandering and finding home in a lot of places.