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March 26, 2009

Ra Ra Riot Bring "Can You Tell" To Ferguson

thumbnail icon: Ra Ra Riot Bring "Can You Tell" To Ferguson

Last week Ra Ra Riot hung out with Rachael Ray in Austin, days later they're having Craig Ferguson gush over the orange-ness of their Rhumb Line vinyl. They've come a long way from Syracuse. The gentle, orchestral indie pop crew performed their latest single "Can You Tell" for Craig, looking no worse the wear for their busy SXSW and extensive touring of late. Wes could use a new shirt, though.

The Rhumb Line is out via Barsuk.

Posted at 3:43 PM by amrit in
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33 Comments

j0shsm1th

i got that vinyl... its def a cool one to have in the collection. deerhunter - microcastle is white vinyl which is also sweet

Posted by: j0shsm1th profile link at 03/26/09 4:03 PM | Reply
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Deezey

That's my girlfriend: The one with the cello.

Posted by: Deezey profile link at 03/26/09 4:23 PM | Reply
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Yeah right, you just wish Allie was your girlfriend. Well yeah, me too, actually.

Posted by: rk in reply to Deezey's comment at 03/30/09 3:25 PM | Reply
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Nils

this had better be a joke.

Posted by: Nils profile link in reply to jeff's comment at 03/31/09 7:40 PM | Reply
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Elvis vs. Shark

Some parts of the vocal melody sound a lot like the Smiths.

Posted by: Elvis vs. Shark profile link at 03/26/09 4:45 PM | Reply
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i know! i really notice the Moz-iness listening to the album.

saw them completely destroy Ann Arbor, MI last night. AMAZING show!!

Posted by: D in reply to Elvis vs. Shark's comment at 03/27/09 10:25 AM | Reply
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I was there too! Seriously phenomenal!

Posted by: ACB profile link in reply to D's comment at 03/27/09 10:19 PM | Reply
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i dont want to change the world, im not looking for new england. IM JUST LOOKING FOR ANOTHER GIRL

Posted by: dd at 03/26/09 5:02 PM | Reply
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Nice use of Billy Bragg, dd.

Posted by: Tilly at 03/26/09 5:12 PM | Reply
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No she isn't.

Posted by: anonymous at 03/26/09 5:14 PM | Reply
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Robot Jones

Ra Ra Really good performance.

Sorry.

Posted by: Robot Jones profile link at 03/26/09 5:30 PM | Reply
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this song is so sweet. i hope i can catch one of their shows soon. thanks stereogum :)

Posted by: snowangel at 03/26/09 5:30 PM | Reply
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The Rhumb Line is the kind of album that you'd probably like every song on it if you like even one song on it. It works very well as an "album." I don't think it's nearly as unique and complex as an album like Funeral by Arcade Fire, but I am surprised the album didn't draw more attention last year than the album's prerelease-blog-and-print-media buzz. I think it's a consistently "good" album. "Too Too Much" is one of my favorite songs from last year, and it's a song placed in the middle of the album where one wouldn't normally expect such a unique and quality track. One more note: When I saw this post, I thought it might be about a new song from them. The Rhumb Line is quality, but I am ready for a new album. They are following in the footsteps of The Killers' Hot Fuzz and releasing the entire album one-song-at-a-time as singles. I wish them all the success, and I still want more people to discover The Rhumb Line, but I also want them to continue building on their momentum and creativity as a band right now. Anyone know if they're currently working on a new album?

Posted by: KofC at 03/26/09 5:48 PM | Reply
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I completely agree with you. I am very surprised they did not receive higher acclaim. As for a new album they did play a new song at Noise Pop which you can see here http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=RA+RA+RIOT+POP&aq=f

Posted by: Peter K in reply to KofC's comment at 03/26/09 10:06 PM | Reply
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So good!

Posted by: Oates at 03/26/09 5:51 PM | Reply
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Long day today. Corrections: "Too Too Fast" and "Hot Fuss"

Posted by: KofC at 03/26/09 5:54 PM | Reply
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Probably one of the best bands I've ever seen live. While Webster Hall is about twice the size of The Middle East Downstairs (And also not a basement), they should still put on a great show there in a week.

Posted by: Rob at 03/26/09 6:30 PM | Reply
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Dear Karma Police,

It is a shame that you have a perverted perception of reality. Ra Ra Riot not only spent most of the night looking for their dear friend and reported the dissapearance of their drummer to the police when their efforts failed to find him, but they also fully cooperated with both the Fairhaven, MA police and the MA Attorney General; giving each investigating organization details of the events leading up to the dissappearance their longtime friend, partner, and companion.

Life and death happen just as pleasure and pain happen. What is evil, however, is one who lacks the initiative to learn the facts chooses to act self-righteous at the expense of others and deliberatly inflicting salt into the wounds of others who grieve at the loss of their friend.

I suggest that you either learn to investigate facts before you run your defamatory insensitive mouth. For example contact the Fairhaven Police or the State Attorney General's office to learn the truth. If you are not inclined to understand reality, then I recommend you seek psychological therapy since you have a problem that is sure to doom you to a life without friends and deep dispare.

If you are not inclined to seek either the truth or psychological help, not only will you lead a dispicable life, but the cherry on top may be judgment against you for libeling otherwise incrediblly kind and wonderful people who make up the band Ra Ra Riot.

Posted by: Ronnie profile link at 03/26/09 9:06 PM | Reply
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wtf? what does this mean?

Posted by: confused guy in reply to Ronnie's comment at 03/30/09 5:35 PM | Reply
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Karma Police -

You go around posting that baseless (and 100% incorrect) claim on every goddamn Ra Ra Riot video or blog post on the internet. You are a rodent who is getting off on the pain and suffering of this amazing band. Please just go away.

Posted by: tom williams at 03/26/09 9:12 PM | Reply
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Yes! I'm seeing them in a few days :)

Posted by: Hil at 03/27/09 12:53 AM | Reply
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Saw them tonight and this video doesn't even come close to how great they are in person. Go see them if you get a chance!

Posted by: ACB profile link at 03/27/09 1:56 AM | Reply
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saw them in Paris. Incredible how they're so consistently good while touring non-stop.

Posted by: b at 03/27/09 11:46 AM | Reply
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Not to mention some of the nicest, most down to earth people you'll ever meet. Absolute sweethearts all of em. :-))

Posted by: tessa profile link at 03/27/09 1:16 PM | Reply
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i liked this band better when they were called vampire weekend.

Posted by: blastodon at 03/28/09 1:22 AM | Reply
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I liked Vampire Weekend better when they were called Peter Gabriel

Posted by: mokie in reply to blastodon's comment at 03/28/09 3:18 AM | Reply
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wes' voice sounds beautiful here

Posted by: er at 03/28/09 6:03 PM | Reply
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Dustin G

Cursive on Letterman > Ra Ra Riot on Ferguson

Posted by: Dustin G profile link at 03/31/09 7:12 PM | Reply
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BONA_FIDE

wes' voice is just gorgeous i agree. i met him and allie after a show a while back in december too, theyre such wonderful people! i talked violin with allie and with wes about lyrics it was great. im seeing them on saturday, i cant wait!
and yes, a new album definitely needs to come out soon!
http://bonafidewithheadphones.blogspot.com/

Posted by: BONA_FIDE profile link at 04/01/09 10:02 AM | Reply
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Are people surprised they sold out Webster Hall? I guess I hadn't realized how big they'd become. Good for them.

Posted by: Phelps at 04/01/09 2:28 PM | Reply
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not sure what the Karma Police was getting all agitated about either. Very sad about RRR losing their drummer and was surprised they didn't get more publicity based upon that tragedy. they made a good album and good E.P. prior to. And they were excellent at the Middle East in Cambridge. i like this band, and they were even more fun live. check them out; if you don't have a stick up your @ss, this is a great band to check out.

Posted by: pangea at 04/01/09 6:43 PM | Reply
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