Albums

Album Review: Ra Ra Riot

[Album: The Rhumb Line]
[Label: Barsuk/V2 Records]

Listening to this debut album from Ra Ra Riot is a bit similar to what I imagine attending an audio carnival would sound like. It’s a joyously frolicking diversion from the mundaneity of these autumnal grey skies. Upbeat tracks fleshed out beautifully with majestic cellos and violins, smoothly operated guitars and the occasional vocal harmony fill this record to make it a very infectiously enjoyable listen.

A quick glance at Ra Ra Riot’s biography shows they are capable of achieving a lot in a very small space of time. Bearing in mind they only formed in 2006, they have already supported Art Brut and Editors (separately) in New York, accompanied Tokyo Police Club supporting them on their North American tour and have twice toured our fair shores and North America’s as the solitary attraction. Oh, they’ve also played South by Southwest twice and got signed to V2 records a year after forming. That’s quite a scroll of accomplishments.

Expectations of their debut album, ‘The Rhumb Line’, were understandably quite high. There is nothing smug or ostentatious about this record, it’s quite simply a conventional indie pop record packed with the lingering sounds of summer as well as a truckload of quality musicianship. Not only that, the depths of it express some fairly haunting emotions, smartly disguised amongst a variety of sprightly drum rhythms.

‘Dying Is Fine’ is a particularly animated standout track. Pushing confidently into catchy riffs with a fast tempo, Wes Miles’ luxuriously mellow vocals sing about the topic the title suggests. The way the nature of the song completely contradicts the subject is a fine example of the intelligence and innovation Ra Ra Riot articulate throughout the album.

If comparisons had to be made they’d easily be a combination of Arcade Fire and Vampire Weekend. Ra Ra Riot display an enviable talent for starting songs out a sorrowful note and building up to triumphant finales, eloquently communicating overpowering reflections in the process, possibly making them a bit more worthy of the hype that’s been awarded to Vampire Weekend.

The strings particularly shine in ‘Winter ‘05’, a song about longing and loss, as they stoically peddle the song onwards with a comforting constancy. This track also displays the ability to design multiple layers to their songs, captivating the listener as with each listen something new is revealed and the interpretation of the song alters every time.

The Rhumb Line is a glorious celebration of life and friends and the experiences shared. The harrowing presence of sadness throughout the album is due to the premature death of their drummer last year, something which clearly had a massive effect on the band and the record they’ve created in dedication to him, as he contributed to a large portion of the songwriting and structuring on this album. Remaining completely lacking in arrogance, Ra Ra Riot should be proud of this fine debut effort.

For Fans Of: The Spinto Band, The Stills, Black Kids

Band Link:
Ra Ra Riot

Shop:
Amazon UK | Amazon US

HMV

Bookmark to:

Previous & Next