I saw Ra Ra Riot open for the Cribs on Easter Sunday at the Grog Shop in Cleveland. About 50 people showed up to see the Cribs, and I happened to get dragged to the show by a friend who's oddly obsessed with English new-wave and post-punk revival. I didn't know Ra Ra Riot was going to be there. I had only heard their name in passing and that they sounded like Arcade Fire.

When they got on stage, all I really noticed about the band that made them seem like Arcade Fire was that they had a cello and a violin and an earnest style. I love Arcade Fire, but people who say they sound like Arcade Fire are just being lazy. While I thought Ra Ra Riot's songs had a somewhat samey quality at certain points, they were all-together unique and invigorating.

The standout tracks on the EP are Dying is Fine, Manner to Act and Each Year, though Everest and A Ghost Under Rocks are equally interesting, though different in style and tempo.

The cello and violin are the dominant instruments in the songs, but they work well with their supporting instruments, and Wesley Miles has a sweet, though not strong, voice similar to Jeff Buckley without aping his style.

I think they have a lot potential and given the opportunity to record a full album could really shine. After hearing them live, I also searched for any b-side and non-EP tracks I could. They do an urgent cover of Kate Bush's Hounds of Love that far trumps the original. Sorry. Not a Kate Bush fan.

While their energy live is brilliant, I was disappointed when I got the EP that the energy didn't translate well as a recording. They seem, though, to feed off their audience.

I met some of the band members after the show selling their merch, and they seemed like they were ready go where their music takes them. They're a bit of a scrappy bunch with a lot of enthusiasm, and I look forward to hearing more from them.