The opening track on Ra Ra Riot’s newest album is so mesmerizing I can see why they also made it the title track. The fullness of the arrangement- strings providing uncommon lushness to an affable bass line- combined with the plaintive, but not whiney, lyrics create a completely satiating song. It also establishes a standard for the album that may have been better introduced a little later as The Orchard’s structure as an album is a little off balance. At fist listen I was totally bored by the end of the 10 song collection however, after a few more intent listens I started to see the shape the well loved chamber pop group was trying to give the full release. Embracing the richness of the strings and refining their more poppy antics to progress their sound is a bold goal and, for the most part, The Orchard proves the density of talent amongst the group’s five members; there remains, however, some more work to be done in curating an album.
Despite the imbalance -one that struck me primarily because I had such expectations for this group- The Orchard still surpasses the majority of music floating around these days. The complexity and emotional weight of “The Orchard” is found again in the honest vocal delivery of “You And I Know” which builds in intensity into what only can be called organized chaos then cools itself off like many a relationship analysis. It’s a fine piece of expression and I can only imagine even more so live.
[MP3] Foolish (Daytrotter Session)