Turn Up The Microphone : Ra Ra Riot

I love Ra Ra Riot. I do. I loved their EP and their new full length delivers.

Seeing them live really gave me more insight into them - more than I thought I would. I never really listened to the strings in all the songs...but now that I go back I hear it. With a cellist and a violinist playing along with the usual set up of a guitarist, bassist, drummer and sometimes piano/organ - it's no wonder I love the energy they bring.

A cross between Vampire Weekend and The Deadly Syndrome, The Syracuse band are young and just starting to gain footing in the indie rock world.

What I didn't love? The sound engineers at The Echo are terrible. This wouldn't be the first time I would be complaining about not hearing the vocals there. When I went to see The French Kicks I was sooooo excited to see them and they were terrible.

I blame The Echo. I love the space and set up of The Echo but something about the engineer favors the instruments over the singer's vocals. Now - come on. Really? Turn up the damn microphone so I can hear the guy singing his heart out so he doesn't have to scream over the strings and drums and can be loved by his followers.