When Ra Ra Riot’s drummer John Pike went missing and was later found dead after a recent Rhode Island show, it was hardly an auspicious start to a band many have high hopes for. The group wasted little time getting back up and running, though, a fitting tribute to its late member, but also a practical decision not to waste the buzz the band’s been building.

It’s mostly been on stage where the group’s distinguished itself, but Ra Ra Riot’s self-titled six-song EP spills over with plenty of potential. The comparisons to early R.E.M. stem largely from the group’s quirky grooves more than the melodies, with Rebecca Zeller’s violin playing giving the band a slightly folky undercurrent even as the more prominent guitars crest and fall on songs such as “East Year,” “A Manner to Act” and “Everest.” “Dying is Fine” draws lyrical inspiration (per the EP’s credits) from e.e. cummings, and maybe it’s the purloined thematic gist in this case that helped Ra Ra Riot stretch its usually concise song structures over the six-minute mark.

Like a lot of low-budget debuts, the disc is ultimately more promise than payoff. But that promise is there, and there’s a sneaking feeling Ra Ra Riot’s music will grow even better with time.—Joshua Klein

Ra Ra Riot plays Beat Kitchen July 26.