via antiquiet
I’d been following Ra Ra Riot since I saw them open for Tokyo Police Club nearly two years ago. While their debut effort The Rhumb Line didn’t introduce many new tunes outside of what had been on the Ra Ra Riot demo, it was a highly anticipated album for me in 2008. I had wondered how the band would fare after the unexpected death of their drummer, John Pike, and I was beginning to think that Ra Ra Riot would never release a LP. Fortunately, I was proven wrong with The Rhumb Line, an enjoyable pop album, especially if you're a sucker for strings. And even if you're not, try listening to "Too Too Too Fast" without moving your body. The song was one of my late summer anthems, and it always takes me back to the days of sweaty outdoor festivals.
My Old Kentucky Blog's song-by-song breakdown of The Rhumb Line here. Past posts on Ra Ra Riot here.
Too Too Too Fast - Ra Ra Riot
St. Peter's Day Festival - Ra Ra Riot
Winter '05 - Ra Ra Riot
Other Top Albums of 2008:
A Reflection
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
Atlas Sound - Let the Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel
The Dodos - Visiter
Cut Copy - In Ghost Colours
Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes/Sun Giant EP
The Walkmen - You & Me
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Department of Eagles - In Ear Park
Deerhunter - Microcastle/Weird Era Cont.
December 18, 2008
Top Albums of 2008: The Rhumb Line
October 19, 2008
Ra Ra Riot - Music Hall of Williamsburg 10.17.08
I seriously need a camera with a functioning LCD screen or viewfinder
Even with sold-out shows at the Bowery and MHOW, Ra Ra Riot still delivers in the same way they did when I first saw them open for Tokyo Police Club back in April 2007. What immediately caught my attention back then was how much energy they brought to the small stage at Mercury Lounge, and the energy continues to be the reason why I see them. It is very apparent that RRR enjoy each other's company. They didn't even seem to be aware that there was an audience; they were just playing for the hell of it, and they sounded great. So many girly "I love you"'s were thrown out in between songs that I almost forgot where I was. I guess I shouldn't judge, but I like to keep my music crushes to myself. Or I mutter them under my breath, usually only for Fleet Foxes or Jonny Greenwood.
Off the new album, the emo-tastic "Can You Tell" is my current RRR favorite and is still on constant rotation. As MOKB pointed out in the band's breakdown of The Rhumb Line, the song has been reworked at least seven times over the last few years. I've posted two versions, one from the album and one from RRR's EP. Although the EP version is a great star-gazing interpretation, I personally prefer Wes' wispy vocals on the album version. He also had this very emo, contemplative look in his eyes during the performance. Très appropriate. This is probably as emo as I can get without disgusting myself.
Ra Ra Riot also played a new song, but I couldn't catch the name. Did anyone else?
Check out past post for more songs.
Can You Tell - Ra Ra Riot
Can You Tell (EP version) - Ra Ra Riot
Suspended in Gaffa - Ra Ra Riot
August 7, 2008
Ra Ra Riot - "Too Too Too Fast"
The first time I saw Ra Ra Riot, opening for Tokyo Police Club at Mercury Lounge in Spring '07.
It's about time Ra Ra Riot put out a proper LP. I thought I would be stuck listening to the EP, demos, and live sessions for who knows how long. Not that a lack of a full-length album has been a problem for Ra Ra Riot since they sell out shows regardless. I saw them a couple weeks ago at Siren Music Festival, which made me more excited for the release of The Rhumb Line. These guys had a tough year, losing their drummer John, but they managed to hold it together and produce this awesome song. "St. Peter's Day Festival" is also a favorite of mine, so look out for it when the album is released.
Preorder The Rhumb Line at Insound. The album will be released on August 19. Ra Ra Riot returns to NYC on October 17 with a show at MHOW.
Note: Song has been removed upon request
But...here's a live video of the song via Stereogum.
July 19, 2008
Siren Music Festival 2008
The Dodos
Ra Ra Riot
I survived 90+ degree heat to see Ra Ra Riot and The Dodos. I saw the Dodos back in April and two nights ago (which I'm glad I did because the Dodos' music is best suited for a small, intimate venue), but I hadn't seen Ra Ra Riot since they opened for Tokyo Police Club at Mercury Lounge back in the spring of '07. After that show, I couldn't stop playing "Each Year" on my iTunes.
Ra Ra Riot is a great live act, and it is no wonder that they are gaining a lot of hype without even releasing a full-length album (The Rhumb Line is due on August 19). I wanted to catch them at the Bowery Ballroom this past spring, but I waited too long to buy tickets and the show sold out. This band has a lot of energy, and I always have a lot of fun watching them perform. The string instruments definitely add a refreshing classical influence to Ra Ra Riot's music.
I'm going to go nurse my sunburnt face now... Even though I was in ridiculous heat while I was traveling, the weather at Siren was especially unbearable. I wanted to stay for Broken Social Scene, but I just couldn't stand the heat of the sun and crowd anymore. Needless to say, there was even less dancing than I would usually expect at a New York show. I definitely prefer the crowd at Pitchfork Music Festival, but my friend told me that the Saturday was rainy, humid, muddy, and overall very unpleasant.
Each Year - Ra Ra Riot
Dying is Fine - Ra Ra Riot
A Manner to Act - Ra Ra Riot
