Ra Ra Riot (EP) (2007)

I wouldn't normally find myself listening to an indie "buzz" band, but these kids are friends of Rory's sister so I discovered them organically and thus, authentically (in my head).

They played a show last night at the Double Door and I really appreciated the dynamic they brought to their performance. It genuinely seemed like they enjoyed playing together, and at any given moment the lyric that Wes, the frontman, was singing was also being mouthed by another player, enhancing the feeling of dedication they were giving to the show.

This group coherence sort of comes across on the EP, although overridingly the recording reminds me of a more uplifting Funeral-era Arcade Fire (dance-rock rhythm section plus strings). Wes isn't as SHAKING with emo-tion as Win Butler, which is a plus in my book.

And to Rory: Sting! That's who Wes sounds like. I didn't figure that out myself, some website mentioned it. But it's Police-era good Sting, not "Fields of Gold"/"Desert Rose" bad Sting.