Ra Ra Riot’s ‘The Orchard’ stays fresh

Ra Ra Riot

The Orchard

Barsuk Records

B

With the release of its new album, The Orchard,… Ra Ra Riot

The Orchard

Barsuk Records

B

With the release of its new album, The Orchard, indie rock band Ra Ra Riot gives fans a more sophisticated sound while still managing to supply the sweetly sad songs the group is known for.

For the past few years, music lovers have seen the reemergence of a genre known as Baroque pop, originally popularized in the 1960s by bands such as the Zombies, the Kinks and, on occasion, the Beatles. This new resurgence of the conceptual sound, which is a mix of classical and rock music, has been given a new, more technical edge by bands like Deerhunter and Stars. But few bands are as adept at showcasing the genre as Ra Ra Riot.

The band from Syracuse, N.Y., features a string section consisting of violinist Rebecca Zeller and cellist Alexandra Lawn. The two manage to give a polished, if somewhat despondent, feel to even the sweetest songs, a characteristic best heard on the track “Boy.”

Adding to the melancholy sound is lead vocalist Wes Miles, whose unique voice adds something extra to every song. While the combination of Miles’ vocals and the haunting string section could give the band too eerie a sound, backing players, who include bassist Mathieu Santos, drummer Gabriel Duquette and guitarist Milo Bonacci, use their catchy beats to keep Ra Ra Riot from becoming too depressing.

As a whole, the album is easy to listen to and can serve as unobtrusive background music. While at times some songs come across as repetitive, The Orchard is far from dull. With this new release, Ra Ra Riot expands its musical palate, but manages to stay within its established boundaries.