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The Rhumb Line | 
 enlarge | Artist: Ra Ra Riot
Label: Barsuk
Category: Music
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $7.36
You Save: $4.62 (39%)
New (38) Used (10) from $6.62
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 1729
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 31077
UPC: 655173107720
EAN: 0655173107720
ASIN: B001B92EHG
Release Date: August 19, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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| Tracks:
| • | Ghost Under Rocks | | • | Each Year | | • | St. Peter s Day Festival | | • | Winter 05 | | • | Dying Is Fine | | • | Can You Tell | | • | Too Too Too Fast | | • | Oh, La | | • | Suspended in Gaffa | | • | Run My Mouth |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Following a trying summer during which the band dealt with the death of drummer and founding member John Pike, Ra Ra Riot regrouped and recorded this debut full-length, which features nine originals and the best Kate Bush cover ("Suspended In Gaffa") you've ever heard. Their earlier self-titled EP and dark-edged joyfulness onstage garnered acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, Nylon, NPR, and NME. They've toured with Tokyo Police Club and Editors and will headline their own tour in support of this release.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
 Wonderful up and coming band November 19, 2008
The music in this CD is a reminder of the early U2 music. It is a pleasure to listen to and I enjoy it more and more each time I play it. I expect great things from this band.
 Impressed! November 18, 2008
I saw this on sale for $3.99 and listened to it...awesome!! The band really pulls together many sounds to make an upbeat album that keeps you listening. The violins/cellos add quite a bit of depth to the already great percussion. "Dying is Fine" and "Too Too Too Fast" are 2 of my favorites but all of them are great. Overall one of my favorites of the year. Good Work!
Morrissey Meets A Vampire October 20, 2008
I am new to Ra Ra Riot - so this will be a review of first impressions only - not some dedicated fan who just LOVES everything they do.
My first impression of this album is that it sounds like The Smiths meet Vampire weekend with the occassional smattering of "The Ocean Blue" from the 80's. The sound is not as clanky (if that's a word) and quirky as Vampire Weekend (less weird beats, pauses in phrasing & instrumentation), but you can definitely compare the two in song composition. However, every once in awhile this group sounds a lot more like the Smiths than anything else - the lead singer especially sounds a LOT like Morrissey in some songs. The musical style is also similiar, except minus a lot of Morrissey's self & societal loathing which can become tiresome, in my opinion!
Anyway, this album strikes me as one that will definitely grow on me. Songs #6 & 8 I especially like for their catchy melodies and riff tension.
This CD is definitely worth downloading and the group has caught my interest!
Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line September 5, 2008
The Rhumb Line (2008, Barsuk) Ra Ra Riot's first studio album. ****
The tragic death of drummer John Pike in 2007 didn't detract Ra Ra Riot at all. If anything, it pushed them on, almost forcing them to stay on course with a goal they all agreed on; to make beautiful music. The Rhumb Line is mixed with tributes to Pike, but instead of sounding depressive and mournful, they sound inspired. It is clear that the band feels things will never be the same, but they don't make the audience pay for something they can't understand. It starts off with "Ghost Under Rocks," a galloping introduction. The Rhumb Line is full of string arrangements (actually played by band members, imagine that!) and energy, bordering on the cusp of something I can only describe as proto-classical rock. Make sense? Didn't think so. Let me explain:
The Rhumb Line and Neon Bible used strings extensively, and since they could so easily be transposed into classical arrangements - especially "Winter 05," which is almost a classical piece on its own - that they push the boundaries of alternative rock and chamber pop, possibly further into something completely new. Maybe?
If Ra Ra Riot has any shortcomings, it's that their energy isn't always engaging. It doesn't tire, but sometimes a slower moment would be welcome. I unfairly compare The Rhumb Line with Neon Bible (because I do so unfavorably) in pointing out the balance that Neon Bible had. The title track was perfect after the sonic blast of "Keep the Car Running." And while the first three cuts of The Rhumb Line are then thankfully mellowed by the sleigh bells of "Winter 05," the tempo speeds up again for "Dying is Fine" and never again backs down. It doesn't hinder the album horribly. They're so damn good at writing genuinely good hooks that if they ever learned the value of pace, they'd already catapult themselves among today's best artists. But don't fear, Ra Ra Riot have already placed themselves as one of the most exciting and most promising breakthrough bands of the year. (Ghost Under Rocks, Dying is Fine, Oh, La)
Most Underrated Albums of 2008 September 4, 2008
If you listen to "Ghosts Under Rocks", "Each Year" and "Dying is Fine" and you don't love the album, then this is not for you. But give those a try.
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