The Rhumb Line (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Wesley Miles (vocals); Cameron Wisch (drums).

Audio Mixers: Chuck Brody; Ryan Hadlock.

Recording information: Bear Creek Studio, Woodinville, WA.

The first album from this band out of Syracuse is a triumph of resilience, as it follows the early departure of their frontman and the even more devastating death of their drummer (and fellow songwriter) in 2007. Playing largely upbeat rock-meets-chamber-pop, kind of like Editors with strings, Ra Ra Riot strikes a remarkable balance between zest for life and bittersweet regret. On "Dying is Fine," singer Wes Miles embraces death but hesitates. You hear the heartbreak in the mournful strings and minor-key moments, and the rebounding embrace of life in vibrant songs like "St. Peter's Day Festival." THE RHUMB LINE, in its depth and emotional variety, sounds like a stalwart band's mid-career watermark, which makes the debut that much more impressive.

Although Ra Ra Riot began generating a buzz in New York City at the same time as Vampire Weekend, their ascent from Manhattan's underground to a major-label's roster wasn't nearly as meteoric. Drummer John Pike died in June 2007, putting a temporary halt to Riot's momentum, and the band's long-awaited debut didn't receive the same rush-release treatment awarded to other hipster hitmakers. The Rhumb Line arrives eight months after Vampire Weekend's debut, a delay that actually serves the band well, as it distances them from the hype and resulting backlash that saturated Vampire Weekend's emergence. The bandmates pay homage to Pike in the liner notes (the album is dedicated to the late drummer, who also receives credit for his songwriting and lyric contributions), but the true tribute rests in Ra Ra Riot's music, which sounds far more polished and focused than 2007's self-titled EP. Perhaps most noticeable are the performances by cellist Alexandra Lawn and violinist Rebecca Zeller, both of whom capably alternate between short, focused bowstrokes and legato-style lines. Indie rock isn't a typical home for string sections, but Zeller and Lawn integrate themselves well during songs like "Can You Tell" and "Winter '05," two elegant numbers that revolve around the girls' contributions. Frontman Wes Miles sings those songs with sweet vibrato and a hint of an English accent, sounding like the sort of polite rock star you'd like to bring home to Mom, and guitarist Milo Bonacci deserves kudos for playing sparse, tasteful riffs that leave enough empty space for his bandmates' contributions. Whether they're channeling the '80s on "Too Too Too Fast," mixing indie pop songcraft with lyrics lifted from an e.e. cummings poem during "Dying Is Fine," or covering Kate Bush's "Suspended in Gaffa," Ra Ra Riot sound elated to have finally arrived at this point: the release of their debut, the payoff after a very tough year, and the proof that they're one of 2008's most promising newcomers. ~ Andrew Leahey minimize