quickcrit - music reviews

Ra Ra Riot’s 2008 release, The Rhumb Line, will sound mightily familiar to any of you who are acquainted with their 2007 self-titled EP. Four tracks are featured on both releases, arguably the best songs on the album, and only one or two of the additions really stand out. The best of the repeated tracks, “Ghost Under Rocks” and “Dying Is Fine,” have noticeably improved recording & production—less lo-fi garage band promo tape, more studio filtered cleanliness. The interesting additions are the Kate Bush cover "Suspended in Gaffa,” and “Oh, La,” which for a brief second I thought was an alternate lyrics cover of The Kook’s 2006 track “Ooh La” (notice the subtle difference… clever). If you enjoyed the 2007 EP release, which I did, I would definitely recommend this polished extension; however, be prepared for similarities throughout.