Consider this a formal invitation. Ra Ra Riot has procured another wonderful album, and to celebrate I suggest we go see them play in SLC on October 12. I don't care if I don't know you, or if I haven't seen you in a while, or whatever, you should come. Think about it. If I don't know you I'm not sure how you found my blog, hype machine maybe? But we could be good friends very soon. I have a car with extra nicely padded seats, you have a bum that needs to sit; it all works. And my friends have cars, and after I convince them all to come, one of those seats has your name on it. Maybe your name is Michael or David or Jack (whoa too many dudes) or Tess or Whitney or Tiffany. You should come. And it's my birthday kinda. It's only $12. 2 months is plenty of planning time. If you live near an Internet send me an email, or if there is only a phone, call. It's good to hear your voice.
Okay, I know that the album hasn't even dropped yet, but believe me it's good. Let me tell you about it.
This is one of those albums that reminds you of something you've heard before, but it's entirely new. I want to say it sounds like good 80's music, and I know that not a good way to say it. They use quite a bit of classical instruments, but no classical instrumentation, and they're not even bragging about it. It's a sort of quiet modesty. I remember when it was different to see a violin in a band, and we all went, "whoa that's an electric violin." Well that amusement lasted a week, because in the end it was just a riffing fiddle colored blue. Boring. What Ra Ra Riot does with the strings is sets up a nice modernly syncopated rhythm with their strings. It's real exciting rock, not just some Charlie Daniels Band soloing over boring guitars and boring drums.
And the vocals. SO GOOD. Wes Miles is a dedicated singer. He is a vocalist, and as far as I know he sings and that's all. I think that they have got their setup right, because it's nice to be a little more complicated and a little more on pitch. I have never seen Ra Ra Riot live, but I imagine it's a stupefying show where all you can do afterwards is mutter a short winded, "Wow." Seriously you should come.
I was really torn because this week Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, who I have been avidly following since their first album, released their third album. Honestly I think I like "The Orchard" more. SSLYBY was still very exciting, but will have to wait until I'm sick of this one for me to give it a proper listen.
I've included a song from Let It Sway, and also from Arcade Fire's new album. And I heard a song on 'How I Met Your Mother' that was good from Goldspot.
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