New Release Tuesday: Pierre de Reeder

Pierre de Reeder The Way That It Was (Little Record Company)

As Rilo Kiley's bassist, de Reeder has spent years in the limelight, supporting the group that he co-founded through success after success. Most recently, they've been everyone's darlings in the wake of Under the Blacklight's success. But forget about all that. de Reeder hasn't spent five years writing side project tunes -- The Way That It Was is a fully-blossomed pop folk album that jettisons him into the frontman spotlight with ease. The album is co-produced by Dave Trumfio (Built to Spill, Wilco, Grandaddy) and Rilo Kiley bandmates Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett and Jason Boesel.

The acting centerpiece to this easy-going gem is de Reeder's warm voice, which lilts around the songs in ways that remind us of David Gates, Kurt Heasley and Harry Nilsson. "That's the Way That It Was" stands out as one of the album's stronger tracks, utilizing a slick horn section and truly catchy melody. "Where I'm Coming From" sounds particularly '70s, as distant vocal harmonies and front-and-center piano lead the listener through a generous helping of sweetness. At times it's hard not to hear how much an energetic synth bit and more up-tempo drum beat could turn some of these tunes into Kiley hits: they're all divine pop songs, capable of evolving into many different things. That being said, they work much better as intimate, emotive and reflective notes on a man's life, love and family ("Sophia's Song" was written for his daughter).

Pierre de Reeder [MySpace] [Official]

Adele: Hometown Glory (import single)
Alkaline Trio: Good Mourning (limited edition reissue) [vinyl]
Anya Singleton: The Other Side
Bark Hide and Horn: Bark Hide & Horn
Ben Weaver: The Axe in the Oak
Bigelf: Cheat the Gallows
Bill Chinnock: Badlands (reissue)
Billy Childish: Thatcher's Children
Billy Childish: Thatcher's Children [vinyl]
Bo Diddley: Road Runner: The Chess Masters 1959-1960 (2-disc set)
The Bug: London Zoo
Coldplay: Viva La Vida (import single)
The Cure: Perfect Boy (Mix 13) (single)
David Sanborn: Here And Gone
Edith Piaf: 65 Titres Originaux (import 3-cd box set)
Elsiane: Hybrid
Extreme: Saudades de Rock
The Gutter Twins: God's Children 7" [vinyl]
The Hold Steady: Stay Positive (2-disc with unreleased track) [vinyl]
Inara George: An Invitation
Irma Thomas: Simply Grand
Janelle Monae: Metropolis: The Chase Suite
Janelle Monae: Metropolis: The Chase Suite [vinyl]
Jason and the Scorchers: The EMI Years (remastered 2-disc set)
Jesu/Battle of Mice: Jesu/Battle of Mice EP
Jesu/Battle of Mice: Jesu/Battle of Mice EP [vinyl]
Jonas Brothers: A Little Bit Longer
Jucifer: L' Autrichienne [vinyl]
Ladytron: Velocifero [vinyl]
Laura Nyro: Nested (reissue)
Laura Nyro: Seasons of Lights...Laura Nyro in Concert (reissue)
Leon Ware: Moon Ride
Manhattan Love Suicides: Burnt Out Landscapes
Metallica: Death Magnetic - Deluxe (import)
Ministry: With Sympathy (reissue)
The Mission: The Mission at the BBC (import box set)
Nine Inch Nails: The Slip [vinyl]
The Pack A.D.: Funeral Mixtape
The Pack A.D.: Funeral Mixtape [vinyl]
Pierre de Reeder: The Way That It Was
Portland Cello Project: Portland Cello Project
Prussia: Dear Emily, Best Wishes, Molly
Rebecca Martin: The Growing Season
Roky Erickson: Halloween: Recorded Life 1979-1981 [vinyl]
Ryan Foret: She's Mine
The Script: The Script
S.M.V.: Thunder
Steve Roach: Empetus (2-CD Collector's Edition)
Tittsworth: Twelve Steps
Tori Amos: Paramount Theatre, Denver, CO 4/19/05
Tori Amos: Manchester Apollo, Manchester, UK 6/4/05
Tori Amos: Royce Hall Auditorium Los Angeles
TV on the Radio: Return to Cookie Mountain [vinyl]
Uri Caine: Otello Syndrome
Various Artists: The American Mall (soundtrack)
Various Artists: Beer for My Horses (soundtrack)
Various Artists: Brotherman (soundtrack)
Various Artists: The Complete Motown Singles, Vol. 10: 1970
Various Artists: The Dark Knight [vinyl]
Various Artists: Songs for Tibet - The Art of Peace
Various Artists: Star Wars: The Clone Wars (soundtrack)
The Ventures: Play Their Greatest Hits
The Verve: Love Is Noise (import single)
The Widow Babies: The Mike Watt EP
Yung Berg: Look What You Made Me
Zach Hill: Astrological Straits
Zach Hill: Astrological Straits [vinyl]