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The Execution of All Things

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The Execution of All Things

The Execution of All Things is the second studio album released by Los Angeles-based indie pop band Rilo Kiley in 2002. The album was released by Saddle Creek Records in Omaha, Nebraska, and the aforementioned features show the influence of that studio's associated Omaha Sound. It was recorded at Presto! in Lincoln, Nebraska.

During their tour supporting Take Offs and Landings, Rilo Kiley began conceptualizing their second album. While performing in San Francisco, the band met Tim Kasher of Cursive, who was touring with his side project, the Good Life. Following their meeting, Rilo Kiley accompanied Kasher to Omaha, Nebraska, where he introduced them to Presto! Recording Studios, operated by Mike and A.J. Mogis. At the time, the Mogis brothers were establishing Omaha, along with Saddle Creek Records, as centers of early 2000s "Omaha Sound".

In a 2002 interview, Jenny Lewis noted that the band had already been fans of the Omaha music scene, having purchased Bright EyesFevers and Mirrors the previous year. Reflecting on the experience, Lewis commented that this album more accurately captured the band’s live energy compared to their debut album, Take Offs and Landings, which was recorded at home. “With Take Offs and Landings, we were still learning how to record and perform,” Lewis said. “This one better reflects how we play live.” The recording sessions took place over several weeks in March 2002, with Lewis describing the studio environment as cold and alcohol-laden, which influenced the emotional tone of the album’s performances.

Expanding on their previous sound, which mostly incorporated guitars, vocals, percussion, and pianos, the album contains electronic samplings mixed into the songs in a rather unusual and displaced-sounding way. Also, unlike their previous tracks, the lyrics to the songs on Execution are very wordy and read like prose. Musically, the record has a very sunny disposition, with bouncing bass lines and catchy melodies complemented by lead singer Jenny Lewis's vocal style. Still, the upbeat music is contrasted by the often dark and gloomy subject matter that the lyrics reference.

The album is strung together by a song broken into pieces that trail between several tracks. "And That's How I Choose to Remember It" tells the story of Lewis' childhood and her parents' divorce. This theme is visited throughout the album, lyrically filled with childhood recollections of loss, displacement, anger, and hopelessness.

The songs "So Long" and "Three Hopeful Thoughts" feature lead vocals by Blake Sennett. Lewis sings lead on all other tracks. "With Arms Outstretched" played in the final moments of the series finale of Weeds, just as it had in the pilot; the song also features in the first episode of the miniseries Looking For Alaska. "A Better Son/Daughter" was played in the trailer for the first season of the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. It is also featured at the end of Hannah Gadsby's 2018 Netflix special Nanette.

Critics received the album positively upon release. Pitchfork praised the album's music and lyrics — saying "the words here are descriptive and articulate, but gracefully rendered" — writing that the album surpassed all Rilo Kiley's prior work.

Anne Hathaway called the track "A Better Son/Daughter" "a life-changing song" for helping to improve her mental health during a difficult period of her life in 2009.

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