Hurray For The Riff Raff - Hurray For The Riff Raff (07/07/2011)
The Self-Titled album by New Yorker Alynda Lee Segarra is a conglomeration of two previous self released albums – It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You, and Young Blood Blues. Leaving home at the fresh age of 17 to pursue a journey across the US of A, Lee Segarra takes inspiration from the unknown towns scattered through the country that fly under the radar.
For better or worse, there are always connotations that run with a name. A good name will tell you something about the subject: Bullet For My Valentine writes songs of both sides of love; To Kill A Mockingbird is about wrongfully accusing and punishing the innocent.
Hurray For The Riff Raff. Perhaps it is a celebration of minority groups; a band and album of hope for the underdogs? Even the dedication alludes to the album’s underlying message. “This album is dedicated to all the riff raff out there. All the queers, runaways, survivors, gender outlaws, poets, travellers, sex workers, songsters and the dead. We love you!” One can’t help but feel a little special after reading that. So now the listener has high hopes and a steady expectation of what Alynda Lee Segarra, lead singer, will deliver. We delve in.
Here is what to expect: soothing vocals and an array of lulling instruments will take you through one hour of calming folk music. With hints of blues and country features, it is easy to see her connection with the American landscape. This is truly an album for those with wandering souls – those who do not know where their home yet lies.
At first listen it may be hard to hear how exactly this is a testament to the rejects and riff raff, due to the fact that the majority of the album seems to be complied from personal experiences. There is more “I” than “you” heard in the album. Not to get too deep and meaningful, but sometimes the lessons best learnt and the most heartfelt messages can be discovered through someone else’s experiences.
There is something about Hurray for the Riff Raff that is sort of… mesmerising. Whether it’s how the songs are compiled together with the ukulele and accordion, or the long drawn out notes of Lee Segarra’s voice, it is certainly an interesting album and sound. Sure, it may not be for everyone’s tastes, but give it a go!
In saying that, it would be lovely to see Lee Segarra compose songs with a more direct message. More “you” than “I”, per se. Perhaps then her band name can truly resonate with her message.
Olivia Fusca
For better or worse, there are always connotations that run with a name. A good name will tell you something about the subject: Bullet For My Valentine writes songs of both sides of love; To Kill A Mockingbird is about wrongfully accusing and punishing the innocent.
Hurray For The Riff Raff. Perhaps it is a celebration of minority groups; a band and album of hope for the underdogs? Even the dedication alludes to the album’s underlying message. “This album is dedicated to all the riff raff out there. All the queers, runaways, survivors, gender outlaws, poets, travellers, sex workers, songsters and the dead. We love you!” One can’t help but feel a little special after reading that. So now the listener has high hopes and a steady expectation of what Alynda Lee Segarra, lead singer, will deliver. We delve in.
Here is what to expect: soothing vocals and an array of lulling instruments will take you through one hour of calming folk music. With hints of blues and country features, it is easy to see her connection with the American landscape. This is truly an album for those with wandering souls – those who do not know where their home yet lies.
At first listen it may be hard to hear how exactly this is a testament to the rejects and riff raff, due to the fact that the majority of the album seems to be complied from personal experiences. There is more “I” than “you” heard in the album. Not to get too deep and meaningful, but sometimes the lessons best learnt and the most heartfelt messages can be discovered through someone else’s experiences.
There is something about Hurray for the Riff Raff that is sort of… mesmerising. Whether it’s how the songs are compiled together with the ukulele and accordion, or the long drawn out notes of Lee Segarra’s voice, it is certainly an interesting album and sound. Sure, it may not be for everyone’s tastes, but give it a go!
In saying that, it would be lovely to see Lee Segarra compose songs with a more direct message. More “you” than “I”, per se. Perhaps then her band name can truly resonate with her message.
Olivia Fusca