The Initial Friend

Rilo Kiley
EP by Rilo Kiley
Released	1999 & 2000
Genre	Indie pop
Label	Rilo Records
Rilo Kiley chronology
Rilo Kiley (1999) The Initial Friend EP (2001)

The Initial Friend EP was the first release put out by Los Angeles–based rock band Rilo Kiley. It was initially a self-titled release that was put out by the band independently in 1999.^[1] They re-pressed it with altered artwork and track-listing in 2000, and then did the same thing again for a third pressing in 2001. All three releases commonly sell on eBay for between $250–400 and are fairly rare.

"Frug" and "85" were included in the soundtrack to the Christina Ricci film Desert Blue,^[2] which led to the band's heightened popularity and eventual signing to a record label.

"Frug" was later included as the final song on the band's B-sides and rarities compilation, Rkives.

Track listing

First Pressing (Self-Titled)

1. "Frug"
2. "85"
3. "Glendora"
4. "Papillon"
5. "Teenage Love Song"
6. "Asshole"
7. "Sword"
8. "Steve"

Hidden Track (Untitled)

• The untitled hidden track on this release is perhaps Rilo Kiley's most sought after song. It is often referred to by fans as "Keep It Together" or "Rained the Day." The song "Steve" was also not included on subsequent recordings. It is a very quiet song about singer Blake Sennett's desire to kill his mother's boyfriend.

Second Pressing (Self-Titled)

1. "Frug"
2. "Papillon"
3. "Always"
4. "85"
5. "Glendora"
6. "Teenage Love Song" [alternate mix/edit]
7. "Sword"
8. "Asshole"
9. "Gravity"

Hidden Tracks: "Troubadours / Annoying Noise of Death"

• On this release "Teenage Love Song" is shortened from 5:51 to 5:25, excising the original guitar solo at 4:10.^[3]
• The final, hidden track clocks in at just over 22 minutes. At around 3:12 the song "Troubadours" starts and upon its completion there is a continuous chiming sound (sampled from a car with the key left in the ignition). This ends at 19:34 and then an answering machine message plays. A conversation ensues with lead singer Jenny Lewis telling someone named Deborah to pick her up and take her to some sort of event Deborah seemingly doesn't want to attend. The chiming starts again, continues for approximately a minute, and then Blake Sennett thanks the listener for "making it through the annoying noise of death." He then announces a special treat from someone named Daniel. (Presumably) Daniel comes on and strums a short acoustic guitar ditty wherein the only lyric is "Ginger." He stops and asks if the shirt he is wearing makes him "look gay". There are giggles, and the CD ends.
• A digital version of the CD was also available from the website MP3.com that had the same track listing, but lacked the hidden tracks.

The Initial Friend EP
EP by Rilo Kiley
Released	2001
Genre	Indie rock
Label	Rilo Records
Rilo Kiley chronology
Rilo Kiley (1999) The Initial Friend EP (2001) Take-Offs and Landings (2001)

Third Pressing ("The Initial Friend EP")

1. "Frug"
2. "Papillon"
3. "Always"
4. "85"
5. "Sword"
6. "Asshole"
7. "Gravity"
8. "Troubadours" [edit]

• On this release "Troubadours" is shortened from 4.06 to 3:25, fading out amid the sound of party horns. The "annoying noise of death" from the 2nd pressing is mixed out.^[4]

References

1. Becker, Emily. "Rilo Kiley". Trouser Press. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
2. "Desert Blue (1998) - Soundtracks". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
3. Rilo Kiley EP [2nd Pressing] (self-released, 2000)
4. The Initial Friend EP [3rd Pressing] (self-released, 2001)