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