“Beta Love” by Ra Ra Riot

Ra Ra Riot
Beta Love
[Barsuk Records]

Most bands try the “we’re gonna change!” experiment in order to avoid sophomore album suckage. Ra Ra Riot decided to do this in response to their cellist’s departure. They got Dennis Herring, who has produced albums for Modest Mouse and Elvis Costello among others, to come in and help them renovate their signature baroque pop sound. Mathieu Santos explains, “We wanted someone who would make sweeping changes.”

Some will miss the more string orchestrated arrangements and refuse to immerse themselves in this album devoted to technology, showcasing a heavy synthesizer sound. Which is a shame. We first adored Ra Ra Riot precisely for this sound, but we LOVE bands that have the guts to try something new, willing themselves to change and grow. “When I Dream” is an outstanding effort of blending old and new; Miles’ falsetto is spot on and familiar clever lyrics abound. “Binary Mind” uses the synthesizer almost organically, it’s integrated so well. Not every song is as deftly composed and orchestrated, but these two songs give us hope that the next album will show even more changes of a band having the time of their lives.