Ra Ra Riot: The Rhumb Line (Barsuk)

By Ben Liew  •  16 Jan 2009 in Review

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The beauty of indie music is that it can sound reserved and energetic simultaneously. This quintet from Syracuse, New York has a cellist and a violinist that adds texture to the straight-up band line-up. Recently, founding drummer and co-songwriter John Pike died in an accidental drowning while on tour, but instead of quitting, the band persevered. The Rhumb Line is a beautiful eulogy to their departed comrade, comprised of melancholic songs with the vocal mellowness of Clap Your Hands And Say Yeah, but with a bootload of energy driving the message deep into your heart. BL