My introduction to Ra Ra Riot did not come with the happiest of news. The first time I read about them was when drummer John Ryan Pike died. Losing a good friend can never be easy, let alone a band member. What a heartbreaking moment for a band that was just starting to get hyped up. These guys did not cave it in however. They kept working hard releasing a well recieved EP, and creating a name for themselves thanks to strong live performances.
These Syracuse graduates worked on putting out there first album for John, even using some of the songs that he ever wrote. I had the pleasure of seeing them play at this year’s Siren Festival and they really impressed me. They have been one of the most talked about bands of the year and their debut finally came out a few weeks ago.
I finally let the album digest properly and this is a gem. This is one of the more consistant records that I have heard in a long time, let alone just this year. There is just something about their songs, they just are so easy to listen to. They sound great and are crafted very well. It is the combination of Wes Miles great vocals with amazing string arrangements that play a huge role in the songs. From the first song ‘Ghost Under Rocks’ you can tell this is going to be a powerful album. It is a strong opener that displays their sound perfectly Tracks like ‘Each Year’ are just indie pop perfection. What takes these songs to the next level is the emotions that come from the lyrics. Songs like ‘Dying Is Fine’ are catchy like nothing else, but then you don’t know if you should be happy or sad listening to them because of where the songs came from.
‘Too Too Fast’ is one of my personal favorites at the moment. That must be one hell of a live track. Songs like ‘Can You Tell’ and ‘Oh, La’ really get better over time. There is a perfect blend of slower ballads and pop-gems that results in one of the more balanced/consistent albums of 2008. Most albums have front-loaded albums with filler on the end, but the track listing for The Rhumb Line couldn’t have been any better. It is This has a very strong chance of being in the top 10 of my best of ’08 list. These guys got one hell of a future. They deserve it.
Rating: 8.5/10
Track by Track Rating:
- Ghost Under Rocks – 4.5/5
- Each Year – 5/5
- St. Peter’s Day Festival – 4/5
- Winter ’05 – 3.5/5
- Dying Is Fine – 5/5
- Can You Tell – 4/5
- Too Too Too Fast – 5/5
- Oh, La – 4/5
- Suspended in Gaffa – 4/5
- Run My Mouth – 3.5/5
Ra Ra Riot – Dying Is Fine (MP3)
Ra Ra Riot – Too Too Fast (MP3)
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