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You MUST check out the new Ra Ra Riot disc, The Rhumb Line!

August 20th, 2008 Posted by: Dust Devil

Hello everybody,

I was in the middle of my normal work here at the office and decided this post had to happen right now. You see, I just got done listening to Ra Ra Riot’s debut full-length disc, The Rhumb Line.

Now, some of you may remember I have written about this nifty little outfit twice, April 3 and April 9 of this year. I have seen them twice and was blown away on each occasion. Well, after listening to this new disc, all I can say is HOLY ####! Go buy this disc NOW. Serious. You can finish reading this when you get back from Stinkweeds or wherever you buy the disc at, as long as it isn’t one of those big chain stores that are killing the indie-record store community. Of course, they aren’t cool enough to carry a band as good as Ra Ra Riot!

After seeing them at the Monolith Festival last year I picked up their six song self-titled EP. Great stuff. Go to their website and order it if you do not already own it. In fact, order both discs at the same time, play the EP first, then the new disc immediately thereafter. The progression is spectacular.

The Rhumb Line showcases a more mature band expanding on their unique brand of indie pop. The string arrangements of Alexandra Lawn and Rebecca Zeller are beautiful, Mathieu Santos plays a very rhythmic bass, Milo Bonacci plays a stellar guitar, Cameron Wisch did a bang-up job propelling things along on the drums and vocalist/keyboardist Wes Miles has that unique singing style and is a pure burst of energy onstage. All of these ingredients add up to some of the most eclectic and refreshing music that has emerged in years.

Four of the six songs from the EP are re-done for the new disc and as good as the original versions were, the new renditions blow the old ones away. The music has a more polished sound while still maintaining that critical indie-edge to things. The six new tunes smoke as well. This is a remarkable disc and should catapault this band into the upper-echelon of the alternative music community. I should say mainstream, but since most people consider mainstream to be trash like Miley Cyrus, I have no hope that there are enough intelligent and musically-minded people in this world to recognize true art.

Folks, Ra Ra Riot is in the midst of a big nationwide tour right now, so there is absolutely no excuse to not take an evening out of your busy lives and supoort this great band. For the Arizona locals, they will be playing at the Modified (thanks Kimber!) once again on Monday, September 29, then travel down south to Tucson to play a show at Plush on September 30. Go see them!

Thanks to Ra Ra Riot for a great disc. I look forward to seeing you guys in a month and a half!

Cheers!
The Dust Devil

check out this video of the band for Dying is Fine

Filed under: Concert Tour Announcements, In The News, Cheers and Jeers