First off, I have to admit, I really like Rah Rah. I would even say that I love them. If Rah Rah were my lover, I would probably call them drunk at three in the morning to tell them how much I love them. Not that I’m needy or anything. But I just really like that band. Bad metaphors aside, writing this review was harder than I thought because of my distinct penchant. So I made myself a pot of green tea, drugged my little body with Sudafed (it’s flu season, yay!) and I was determined to review Going Steady being the most neutral as possible. I would stay objective and try to not sing along. Here’s the result.

Going Steady is Regina, Saskatchewan’s Rah Rah’s first LP, following the “Songs for Pasquale” EP released two year prior, in 2006. The quintet did everything together from writing songs to the album’s layout. They’re like one big family, really. “Betrayal Pt. 1”, wakes you up with drums thumping through the speakers and harmonies chanting “the hurt/the betrayal/yeah!”, you know you’re in for a fun ride. For a band that likes to give away Pop Rocks candy to their audience and that carries a bubble machine on tour, Rah Rah’s lyrics, while staying beautiful and heartbreaking, are a little harsh. Similar to a punch in the face punctuated with an “I love you”. The next song, the boy/girl duet “Tentacles”, is definitely single-material. It’s got really strong, enjoyable lyrics and let’s face it, I’m a sucker for a rhyme and “If not for the language barrier/I might marry her I might marry her/if not for the geographical obstacle” pretty much sealed the deal for me. The moody violin and heavy kick drum compliment Marshall’s Burns’ voice effectively without overpowering it throughout the album. The arrangements remain simple while all the instruments play an important part in every song. In “Duet for Emmylou and the Grievous Angel” we get to hear drummer Erin Passmore’s voice and most likely fall in love with it (like the lyrics in the song! Get it?). Politically aware (and angry) “Fuck NAFTA” is danceable and keyboard ridden, they even made a slightly disturbing video for it! You can check it out at YouTube. Going Steady comes to an end with the lively “Cuba/Peru”, leaving you wanting (needing, really) more.

Rah Rah are now in Montréal working on Going Steady’s follow up with Plants and Animals producer Kees Dekker (or so says the internets). It will probably be on your 2010 “top 10 albums” list, so be ready!

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For more Rah Rah,

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/rahrahband