Hurray For the Riff Raff
It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You
As I sit here thinking about the angle I want to take in writing about my latest obsession, a million thoughts race through my head. How do bands come up with their names? Can I finish this article in the next few days? What will I write about next? Have I run out of good ideas for my site? Will I eventually lose interest in music? Why am I never satisfied with the music I have?
I forgot to mention that when I’m stressed out, my mind refuses to shut off. It bounces randomly from thought to thought, unable to focus on anything. As a result, I worry a lot and accomplish very little. So if the previous paragraph hasn’t already given it away, I’m a little overwhelmed with life right now. But at least it has given me an angle: during stressful times, I rely on music more than ever. Especially relaxing music.
Luckily, a few weeks ago I stumbled upon Hurray For the Riff Raff, an amazing little band from New Orleans. Their debut album, It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You, is the perfect escape from a stressful world. It sounds timeless – like what music from the south must’ve sounded like at the turn of the 20th century.
After listening to the gorgeous intro of “Daniella” for the first time, I knew I had found my next obsession. The song, which starts with a simple banjo riff and beautiful vocal harmony, melts away all my problems (at least for a few minutes). “Junebug Waltz,” another one of my favorites, plods along at a snail’s pace, reminding me of a hot, muggy summer afternoon.
I posted “Daniella” below for your enjoyment. If you like what you hear, I highly recommend purchasing the entire album – it’s fantastic. I’ll definitely have it on repeat over the next few weeks as school continues to bear down on me.