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Thursday, November 20, 2008

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On the record with Ra Ra Riot

By Jenny An
Published: August 20th, 2008 | 2:35pm

Ra Ra Riot hit their first notes together in January 2006 and played CMJ just six months later. The band (vocalist Wes Miles, bassist Mathieu Santos, guitarist Milo Bonacci, cellist Alexandra Lawn, and violinist Rebecca Zeller) has gotten raves for their energetic shows and unbelievably catchy EP of orchestral, danceable rock. After two SXSW performances, three WOXY sessions, and countless other shows — opening for the likes of the Editors, Art Brut, and Tokyo Police Club — they released their first album, The Rhumb Line (Barsuk Records), on August 19.

So what does an up-and-coming band that’s been likened to everyone from the Arcade Fire to the Clash listening to lately? Apparently, the band has rock and pop classics in heavy rotation during these remaining dog days of summer. Below, members of Ra Ra Riot share four picks with venuszine.com readers.

Alexandra Lawn
Robert Palmer
Addictions, Vol. 1 (Island)

I painted my house to it, playing it at least three times a day. He is super dynamic, and I’m really into his voice right now. There are a lot of songs that you wouldn’t think were his (era-dancing/singing-hamster “Addicted to Love” are not the only ones). So, so, so good.

Milo Bonacci
Wire
Pink Flag (Harvest)

The album is captivating and diverse. It is so perfectly raw sounding. The energy and attitude of the band really comes across in the recordings. And as a listener, I find myself often hitting “repeat,” because the songs are so perfectly concise and to-the-point.

Mathieu Santos
The Police
Zenyattà Mondatta (A&M)

The Police never get old to me, and it’s always fun re-discovering old albums. Andy Summers’ guitar solo on “Driven to Tears” alone is enough to justify Zenyattà Mondatta’s existence — never mind the fact that every song, groove, and feel on the album is pretty much perfect.

Wes Miles
Bob Dylan
New Morning (Columbia)

New Morning is a great album for summer. It’s one of Dylan's most soulful albums, and you can hear it in his voice on “Sign on the Window.” “The Man in Me” is another beautiful song that feels really good in the summertime.

Ra Ra Riot MySpace