Last night's show at Chop Suey was solid. Sure, they threw an extra band on the bill (meaning that it was doors 8, show 8:30), but both Ra Ra Riot and The Little Ones delivered with tight sets. And yet, there was something troubling in the air. What was it? Two words: Nag Champa. We have discussed this before: venues burning incense at a show is a no-no. Look, our seasonal allergies have been......

As we have mentioned approximately nine million times before, Ra Ra Riot is a band you must see live. The Syracuse-based sextet has guitars, a cello, a violin, and energy to spare. Their music manages to be both uplifting and catchy, and their high-minded brand of articulate, orchestral pop always goes over well. Once again (as with every time we've seen 'em), they're an opening band on the bill, which makes things a little......