What makes The Initial Friend E.P. by Rilo Kiley notable?

The Initial Friend E.P. garnered critical acclaim for its clever songwriting and energetic instrumentation, establishing Rilo Kiley as a noteworthy act within the indie music community. The EP received positive reviews from various publications and helped solidify their place in the burgeoning late '90s indie rock movement. Released in early 1999, The Initial Friend E.P. marked Rilo Kiley's debut release, introducing their distinctive sound to the indie rock scene. At this time, the band was still establishing their identity, with this EP laying the groundwork for their subsequent full-length albums and growing following.

How many songs are on The Initial Friend E.P.?

The Initial Friend E.P. has 9 tracks, running approximately 31 minutes.

The Initial Friend E.P.

Rilo Kiley · 1999

31 min · 9 tracks · indie rock

A vibrant blend of indie rock melodies and witty lyrical narratives that capture youthful disillusionment and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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85 — This track showcases the band's knack for blending catchy melodies with poignant lyrics about nostalgia and lost love, setting a tone for their future work.
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Teenage Love Song — With its playful yet earnest exploration of young relationships, this song encapsulates the EP's theme of youth and emotional complexity.
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Asshole — This track stands out for its sharp wit and raw energy, presenting a more rebellious side of the band while illustrating their lyrical prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100

Foothills

Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases clever songwriting and energetic instrumentation, establishing Rilo Kiley's unique voice in indie rock.

What we noticed

Lyrical themes of youthful disillusionment are explored through conversational verses that often shift perspectives.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Frug 2:40
2 85 5:15
3 Glendora 2:40
4 Papillon 3:50
5 Teenage Love Song 5:25
6 Asshole 5:23
7 Sword 2:46
8 Steve 1:30
9 [Keep It Together] 1:53

What to play next

Listen next

Take Offs and Landings

2001

Full Rilo Kiley discography Artists like Rilo Kiley

indie rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata