Record Review
September 16, 2008
The Rhumb Line by Ra Ra Riot
I’ve been hearing about Ra Ra Riot for a year or so now, but hadn’t had a chance to check them out until a few weeks ago. I was instantly, and I mean *instantly*, hooked. The first few seconds of “Ghost Under Rocks” caught me and didn’t let go.
Every song on The Rhumb Line is a great one. There’s lots of variety here, which is something I love, but it’s all in the same family. Ra Ra Riot have some similarities to The Arcade Fire, but I find them a bit more accessible.
The sound is deep, with the strings adding a really nice complexity to what might be straight-forward (albeit really good) indie pop. They’re is something sad about it but at the same time I find myself smiling and uplifted listening. A pretty amazing feat, that.
The Bottom Line
Sweet, catchy hooks and surprising depth make The Rhumb Line a must listen in my book. So do that!
