Ra Ra Riot
The Rhumb Line
Play The Rhumb Line
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AMG Review of The Rhumb Line
Andrew Leahey
All Music GuideAlthough Ra Ra Riot began generating a buzz in New York City at the same time as Vampire Weekend, their ascent from Manhattan's underground to a major-label's roster wasn't nearly as meteoric. Drummer John Pike died in June 2007, putting a temporary halt to Riot's momentum, and the band's long-awaited debut didn't receive the same rush-release treatment awarded to other hipster hitmakers. The Rhumb Line arrives eight months after Vampire Weekend's debut, a delay that actually serves the band well, as it distances them from the hype and resulting backlash that saturated Vampire Weekend's emergence. The bandmates pay homage to Pike in the liner notes (the album is dedicated to the late drummer, who also receives credit for his songwriting and lyric contributions), but the true tribute rests in Ra Ra Riot's music, which sounds far more polished and focused than 2007's self-titled EP. Perhaps most noticeable are the performances by cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller, both of whom capably alternate between short, focused bowstrokes and legato-style lines. Indie rock isn't a typical home for string sections, but Zeller and Lawn integrate themselves well during songs like "Can You Tell" and "Winter '05," two elegant numbers that revolve around the girls' contributions. Frontman Wes Miles sings those songs with sweet vibrato and a hint of an English accent, sounding like the sort of polite rock star you'd like to bring home to Mom, and guitarist Milo Bonacci deserves kudos for playing sparse, tasteful riffs that leave enough empty space for his bandmates' contributions. Whether they're channeling the '80s on "Too Too Too Fast," mixing indie pop songcraft with lyrics lifted from an e.e. cummings poem during "Dying Is Fine," or covering Kate Bush's "Suspended in Gaffa," Ra Ra Riot sound elated to have finally arrived at this point: the release of their debut, the payoff after a very tough year, and the proof that they're one of 2008's most promising newcomers.
Ra Ra Riot Ask 'Can You Tell?' With New Single
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Ra Ra Riot have been making quite some noise over the last couple of years. They toured relentlessly in 2006 and 2007 with bands such as Tokyo Police Club and Editors and this year they released their epic and ambitious debut album The Rhumb Line to a fair amount of acclaim.
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Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
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Artist: Ra Ra RiotAlbum: The Rhumb LineFile Under: Indie PopRecommended if You Like: Arcade Fire, Vampire WeekendFeatured Track: Under Ghost RocksThe best way I can describe Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot is Arcade Fire meets Vampire Weekend - upbeat rhythms layered over rich orchestral-based melodies. And their live shows, with their huge ensemble cast, are raucous and infectious - just like [.
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Ra Ra Riot Roll It All Out
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After hearing Ra Ra Riot's EP, I had a pretty good feeling that they would be a band to watch out for. Many people felt the same way (especially after seeing them live). Earlier this year they signed to Barsuk to release their debut LP The Rhumb Line. After reading this I [...]~~
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Ra Ra Riot Roll It All Out
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After hearing Ra Ra Riot's EP, I had a pretty good feeling that they would be a band to watch out for. Many people felt the same way (especially after seeing them live). Earlier this year they signed to Barsuk to release their debut LP The Rhumb Line. After reading this I [...]~~
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Ra Ra Riot
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--- - |- It would appear that, in what seems like only a matter of weeks, the world has fallen hopelessly for New York five-some, Ra Ra Riot . Rolling Stone have gone as far as to place them in their 'Six Artists to Watch in 2008 ' list. Superficially, Ra Ra Riot make interesting melodic indie-pop, rife with musical optimism. A more considered listen would reveal an edge of melancholy, befit...
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Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
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Artist: Ra Ra RiotAlbum: The Rhumb LineFile Under: Indie PopRecommended if You Like: Arcade Fire, Vampire WeekendFeatured Track: Under Ghost RocksThe best way I can describe Syracuse-based Ra Ra Riot is Arcade Fire meets Vampire Weekend - upbeat rhythms layered over rich orchestral-based melodies. And their live shows, with their huge ensemble cast, are raucous and infectious - just like [.
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Best New Music: Enemy Edition
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In honor of the return of the Ricky Gervais Podcast, this (hopefully reoccurring) segment will feature the "enemy" of their new release. Yeah, I know; I'm reaching here.In August, Ra Ra Riot finally released their first full length, featuring new tracks, a couple old ones, and some re-recordings. The Rhumb Line's enemies are bands like Death Cab and Cursive, who--although still good--have a lost a
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The Breakdown : Ra Ra Riot : The Rhumb Line
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Remember the time you put that song about running off into the sunset with the one you love on your girlfriend's mix CD, only to later discover to your horror that it was a song about murdering kittens at sunset? It's happened to the best of us. That's why we've created The Breakdown , a new feature that will let artists discuss and demystify the album title and tracks in their own words. ...
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policey-Riot
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Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb LineThe opening chords of Run My Mouth Off sound like the Police...but that's not such a bad thing. I like the vocals and the violin. Not sure this is a band with much staying power but a few of the tunes are pretty catchy.
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Ra Ra Riot Map Out Second Leg Of US Jaunt
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Ra Ra Riot have announced dates for the second leg of their US tour, kicking-off in December. The band are set to begin the second leg of the jaunt, in support of their album 'The Rhumb Line ' on December 3rd in Burlington, VT.The band are also set for a handful of shows in the UK before they kick-off the second part of the US tour. Ra Ra Riot Tour dates announced:Burlington, VT Higher Grou...
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September Pittsburgh concerts
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MUST-SEE SHOW: 9/12 Ra Ra Riot @ WYEP Rock the Block, 12th StreetWe recently caught these guys at the All Points West festival, where they delivered a satisfying live show featuring their trademark blend of indie rock, cello, and violin. Expect to hear several tracks from The Rhumb Line, their acclaimed album that's now a year old, and possibly some new stuff as well.ALSO WORTH ATTENDING: 9/10
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Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line
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Yeah! That's what comes to my mind every time I see the name Ra Ra Riot. Sure, there's Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, but I think Ra Ra Riot Yeah! sounds way better. But enough about their name, this album is incredible. You heard it right. Increíble! That's Spanish for ya holmes. Ra Ra Riot, a band I found out about in the latest Rolling Stones (I'm ashamed to even say that statement, since ..
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Ra Ra Riot Gear Up For North American Tour
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Ra Ra Riot have announced dates for a forthcoming North American tour set for next year. The extensive jaunt will kick off January 22 at a Planned Parenthood benefit in New York.Among the dates announced are shows in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.The tour, in support of their debut album 'The Rhumb Line ' released early this year, is set to be wrapped-up on March 26 in Ann...
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Ra Ra Riot Ask 'Can You Tell?' With New Single
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Ra Ra Riot have been making quite some noise over the last couple of years. They toured relentlessly in 2006 and 2007 with bands such as Tokyo Police Club and Editors and this year they released their epic and ambitious debut album The Rhumb Line to a fair amount of acclaim.
More >
Interview Alert: Ra Ra Riot
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Captain Melody has recently posted another great interview of which I am very jealous. The band is Ra Ra Riot, a white-hot indie rock group that released their debut album this year entitled The Rhumb Line . They've been on Conan already, so you know they're kind of a big deal... Check out the in-depth interview over at Captain Melody, and read his review here . Also, my review can be foun...
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 "The Rhumb Line")
