Ra Ra Riot - "The Rhumb Line Live"

- Released: September 2008
- Format: series of videos posted to YouTube

- Songwriting: 7
- Performance: 8
- Recording: 4
- First Impression: 8
- Staying Power: 6

Seemingly not wanting to miss out on the buzz generated by Vampire Weekend, another band of kids from New York (upstate in this case) released an album of catchy, classical-laced pop, called "The Rhumb Line".  Though very good on its own, it pales in comparison to a live performance.  The band must have realized this when they quickly followed up with "The Rhumb Line Live" - four songs, spectacularly performed in an attic of a house somewhere in the band's hometown of Syracuse.

Oh, and for the record, the members of Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot eventually became friends.  More on that in a future entry.

Suggested sample track: "Ghost Under Rocks"

Recommendation: If you like Vampire Weekend and/or Arcade Fire, then you will almost certainly enjoy this. Turn up the volume and head over to YouTube!