As much loved as they were (are?), Rilo Kiley was (is?) one of the most underrated bands of the first decade of this millennium.  Jenny Lewis, Blake Sennett, Pierre de Reeder, and Jason Boesel combined in an astonishing creative alchemy that, in their four superlative studio albums, produced songcraft of the highest order.  While it seems the band is on permanent hiatus, earlier this year they gave hope of a return when they released a collection of previously released rarities and unreleased material, titled Rkives.  We’ll see about that return.

Though they have a dense discography of superlative songs to pick from, our pick-of-the-litter is With Arms Outstretched, which you can listen to below.  Though this song may have begat the wave of group-sing bands (you know, The Looming Errors and their ilk) now clogging up the airwaves, don’t hold that against it.  And we always like this song on a Sunday, and here we are.  The lyrics follow the song.  Now heading into those mountains to stretch out.

“It’s sixteen miles
To the promised land
And I promise you, I’m doing the best I can

Now don’t fool yourself
Into thinking you’re more than a man
Because you’ll probably end up dead

I visit these
Mountains with frequency
And I stand here with my arms up

Now some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won’t wait
So you better move fast

Don’t fool yourself
Into thinking you’re more than you are
With your arms outstretched to me

Now it’s sixteen miles
To the promised land
And I promise you, I’m doing the best I can

Now some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won’t wait
So you better move fast

And some days they last longer than others
But this day by the lake went too fast
And if you want me
You better speak up, I won’t wait
So you better move fast”