2013-01-25
Ra Ra Riot was formed "in the basements and the attics surrounding Syracuse University" and its third album moves the band from string-backed rock into synth-pop territory, a bit of departure from their opening records (some of you may recognize their hit "Boy" from a Honda Civic commercial). They still have the operatic lead vocals of Wes Miles, however, and they've written lyrics to match the electronica behind the voices. These 11 pop tunes are all three minutes or less, pleading for some human interaction in a Twitter age: "I wanna reach you with this binary mind" (#2); "In this city of robot hearts ours were made to beat" (#3); "Oh I watch the whole earth in a little box" (#10). The songs are bursts of energy trying to make a quick musical connection; on the best of the songs--the first three, "Angel, Please" and "When I Dream"--they succeed. 01/13 Michael J. R-Pop/ElectronicPETER WOLF CRIER
Garden of Arms
WACO BROTHERS AND PAUL BURCH
GREAT CHICAGO FIRE
PARTICLE
Transformations Live for the People
THE SHINS
Wincing the Night Away
XIU XIU
Angel Guts: Red Classroom
Al and the Black Cats
Shakin At The Knees
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