Photo Credit: Lauren Dukoff
The Raveonettes are back with their fifth studio release Raven In The Grave; a nine-track album filled with everything you love about the Danish duo…and more!
Sune Rose Wagner (guitar, instruments and vocals) and Sharin Foo (bass, guitar and vocals) have definitely found their niche in indie rock and Raven In The Grave perfectly displays their musical confidence and uniqueness.
Loads of hard-edged electric guitars, intense synths, bombastic beats, grimy lyrics, chillingly melodies and two-part vocal harmonies fill each track, leaving you musically enchanted at the end. Gone are their signature surf drum beats, which have been replaced with ethereal defiance. Die-hard fans will also notice a slight dab of soulful influences throughout the album, as well as a more electro-base, which provides an eclectic touch to their usual gloomy romanticism. New and old fans will appreciate the subtle change.
According to Foo, “It’s dark but not bleak, like the single minded determination caused by crisis that is not quite hope but just as powerful. It’s the perfect winter soundtrack just in time for spring.” Using their experiences as inspiration, many of the songs explore the disheartening finiteness of relationships and the devastating effects they can have when they do disintegrate, making it the perfect break-up album for those of the broken hearted.
The first song, “Recharge and Revolt,” greets you with blazing beats and an intense guitar riff that’s strung with such passion, you can feel the bass oozing out before the synths and the echo-y vocals kick in. It’s definitely a bit of retro rock mixed with some ’80s new wave, and an up-beat opener.
The band’s first single off the album, “Forget That You’re Young,” is an mesmerizing tune where Foo’s vocals really take center stage. The guitar-driven track has some interesting synths that are reminiscent of some OMD songs, making it a melodically sensational track for those that love the softer side of The Ravonettes.
“Apparitions” is a very goth-inspired track that depicts a past love, but it’s, nonetheless, a tantalizing beautiful song with edgy beats intertwined with rugged electro bass. “Summer Moon,” is more of a ’60s-inspired lullaby about a love’s bitter end and is definitely one of the slower songs on the album.
Another notable track is “Evil Seeds,” which sounds like it should be at the beginning of a horror movie with its eerie piano melodies before it gets harder with crazed out guitars and heavy synths. In my opinion, it’s one of the darkest and edgiest jams on the album. The album’s title is actually a lyric in the song!
In the 10 years they’ve been making music, Raven In The Grave, is by far the darkest stuff the Raveonettes have released, yet it still fits the duo. It’ll be interesting, though, to see how they progress from this album to the next and if they’ll get any darker.
Catch The Ravonettes live when they come to So Cal in May! They’ll be at The Glasshouse in Pomona on May 4th and playing at The Troubadour on May 5th and 6th, so get your tickets now!
Words: Kristie Bertucci
Artist: The Raveonettes
Album: Raven In The Grave
Label: Vice Records
Release Date: April 5, 2010
