Forward Fest Listen-Around: Ra Ra Riot
Because the second annual Forward Music Festival (Sept. 17-19) has so many bands crammed into its lineup, we at The A.V. Club have been talking about what we'd like to catch and how to get oriented. To preview the festival without getting overwhelmed, our writers will hold a series of informal discussions about FMF's bands. Today, two of us continue with a bit of sparring over Ra Ra Riot, who play the High Noon Saloon on Sept. 18 as one of FMF's featured artists.
Bob: I would call Ra Ra Riot America’s answer to Wales' Los Campesinos!, and a more mature answer at that. The difference (as heard on last year's The Rhumb Line) is Ra Ra Riot's ability to use dynamic contrast and multiple counter-melodies to create a diverse, shape-shifting group of songs that are as rewarding to dreamily listen to on headphones as they are fun to dance around to in concert. The variety here goes beyond the use of keyboards, cello, and violin: Singer Wes Miles nods to Police-era Sting while delivering emo-centric lovelorn lyrics on the single "Can You Tell," and “Dying Is Fine” attaches a weeping violin line to a bouncy sing-along chorus. I've seen this band live twice now, and both times they transformed hesitant, nervous concertgoers into sweaty flailing, dancers in only a few songs' time. In other words, a catchy tune like "Too Too Fast," with its hint of energetic punk-pop, isn't for the kind of indie-rock fans who avoid exhibiting enjoyment in public. It's a fun, fast, and feel-good mark on my Forward schedule. Also, if you have a thing for musicians, cellist Alexandra Lawn tends to attract a dedicated male following at the band's shows.
Scott: I've never doubted that Ra Ra Riot write good songs, or that they're smart about switching it up a bit from track to track. Christ, I just put the new Converge album aside for a bit so I could give The Rhumb Line another honest-to-goodness chance, but something about the execution and the production just keeps these songs and arrangements from jumping out at me as much as they should. "Ghost Under Rocks" is definitely a better-than-average way to start a record, and it does hint a bit at this energetic live set I've been hearing about but (to be fair) have not yet managed to catch. I think it's possible for gentle, pretty pop like this to wield a lot of power—Wye Oak's two records never fail to get to me—so I don't feel all that bad telling you that I find myself setting this record aside again, despite actually wanting to like it. Still, I have enough of a soft spot going for Ra Ra Riot that I'll likely try yet again on the 18th. But Bob, how in hell could it be more fun than Los Campesinos! February show at the Rathskeller?
The verdict: Even when they're at their least inspiring, we can't bring ourselves to cross Ra Ra Riot off our list.
