Ra Ra Riot

Syracuse’s Ra Ra Riot share more than a few commonalities with fellow buzz band Voxtrot. Both rose to (semi-) prominence after releasing acclaimed non-albums, hailed as the darlings of SXSW by obsessives via the interweb and have a penchant for dramatic melodic rock. But as the ‘Trot currently finds itself sputtering out with a mediocre debut, our nation can now feast its lonely eyes on Ra Ra Riot.

Tight, earnest, and utterly non-threatening Ra Ra Riot is the embodiment of indie rock circa now. Commentary on the non-threatening aspect be damned. Sure, these six songs are about as dangerous as flag football played on pillows, and it’s true that Ra Ra Riot could be placed comfortably in the background at your local Banana Republic, if it isn’t already. But grandstanding only gets you so far, especially when the songs are this good.

A fun fact often thrown around about the band is that it formed a little under two years ago. You’ll have to excuse my obligatory “big things are in store for them” speech but it’s difficult to avoid. There’s a great sense of variability shown within this EP, meaning that should Ra Ra Riot ever make it to the big show (read: record a successful full-length album), its results have the potential to be exemplary. “Each Year” is a bona fide single, its loopy jerky guitar line shifts and sways alongside a building yet gentle string progression while singer Wesley Miles delivers a laid back croon, mixing ennui and utmost sincerity. “Everest” packs a bit more vitriol and the energy suits them. Miles’s seemingly strained voice doesn’t quite hit its intended range but the results manage to complement the offbeat rhythm instead of counteracting it.

But what makes Ra Ra Riot’s seemingly routine formula so enticing is its incorporation of cello and violin without making it sound overwrought or self-serious. While laziness will ensure Arcade Fire comparisons, the band never sounds as cinematic or grandiose which is a pleasant surprise. In today’s climate such instrumentation can come across both gimmicky (Cursive) and ostentatious (the aforementioned Voxtrot), whereas Ra Ra Riot manage to flavor their songs with strings subtly, adding context without distracting bells and whistles. The lectures on said merits can be saved for the message boards. I’ll just keep my fingers crossed for that forthcoming full-length.