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The Syrcacuse sextet Ra Ra Riot has blown up this year after the release of their first full-length album, The Rhumb Line, which has received sweeping praise from music critics. The album’s title is a nautical term that refers to a path of constant bearing. Formed as a college band, they became serious about their music after graduation and further narrowed their focus after the unexpected death of their drummer last year. The album’s title is a reference to their collective determination and commitment to the band. Many of their songs seem to encapsulate the mourning and catharsis of the period following the tragedy.
The crowd was impressive for a late Sunday show. And diverse. There was a pack of high schoolers near the front and some dancing 40-somethings not far from them. The lost vocals, programmed beats, and mid-tempo electronica of Chicago trio Walter Meego sat oddly in between California sunshine openers The Morning Benders (check out “Waiting for War”) and Ra Ra Riot. Meego’s lack of energy on stage (a friend dubbed their guitarist “Fun Slayer,” although the smaller guy who manned the samplers was pretty into it) coupled with slightly slower versions of tracks from their album Voyager did little to excite the Sunday night crowd. While the album is certainly worth checking out, their live show failed to impress with two noteworthy exceptions; “Girls” and “Forever”, which are easily their best tracks.
Photo of Ra Ra Riot's March show at the Black Cat by greynotgray
After Meego, Riot crowded onto the stage at Black Cat, set up as four men sandwiched between two female string players. They opened with “Each Year”, a song that showcases their ability to blend plaintive strings, driving four-on-the-floor drums and frenetic guitar and bass lines. In theory, the combination might be jarring or overly complex, but it works. Think “Eleanor Rigby” meets the Get Up Kids, but with a good singer. In just under an hour they plowed through 12 songs, including one encore.
“Ghost Under Rocks” was the highlight of the set. The song begins with thundering bass and cello octaves, then swells to a cacophonous roar of furious drumming and prickling strings. “Dying is Fine”, a song so clearly about the loss of their drummer, was also a stunner.
One thing that helps Ra Ra Riot stand out is the fact that they seem to be in love with their own music. They display the boundless energy of an up-and-coming indie rock band who has yet to taste the passion dulling sting of success and boredom. They seem to take great joy in performing. Every member of the band was caught happily singing along to a song at some point.
Late in the set, singer Wes Miles thanked those who had tuned in via NPR’s live broadcast of the show for their “cyber attendance.” The full set can be heard here, but unfortunately, it’s nothing like being six feet from the stage when these guys are playing.
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Good review. I was disappointed I didn't get to see Ra Ra Riot this time around. I saw them last year open for The Editors. You're right - their energy, as much as their music, is contagious. It was great to see a band that so obviously enjoyed being on stage.
Yes, good review and great show. However, I have to mention that Dying is Fine is not about their former drummer John Pike's death. He actually received a songwriting credit on this song so as with other songs on the album it was written before his untimely death.