Album Review

Ra Ra Riot – Each Year

• 20th Sep 2007

Ra Ra Riot are one of those bands whose history you hear of before their actual music. Sadly, back when this single was originally to be released, their drummer, John Pike, passed away. It feels a bit wrong to be reviewing a single in such a wake but as the band are pressing on with a UK tour in October, it is supposedly fair.

Their debut ‘Each Year’ is a sun glazed track that glimmers in the sun. When you take the sun away (and let’s face it, what sun have we seen this year?), the gleam is not to strong it blinds you, but the sweetness of this record shines on. It’s not a bad record, inoffensive, sweet, nothing too strenuous for the ol’ ear drums like. A gentle Bombay Bicycle Club type melody basically.

But B side, ‘A Manner to Act’ is a livelier, toe stomping corker of a tune featuring a contagious guitar rift, orchestral tendencies, and an intense melody. This is an impressive debut, but one which we hope will not be overshadowed by the sad loss of their drummer.