The Raveonettes Lust Lust Lust by: Dean Van Nguyen Mon:24-Mar-08 Label: Vice Year: 2008 WB rating 38 out of 100

The Raveonettes have always attempted to emulate the characteristics of the great sixties pop bands, but they have never sounded like they came from the sixties. A half-century ago they would have fought for the recognition and acclaim that acts like The Shangri-las, Buddy Holly and The Supremes continue to enjoy. But while those acts lured their audience with a sugar-sweetness that gave birth to what we consider “popular music” the Danish duo exudes so little charm that they are difficult to love. Their voices are cold and robotic, as if they got so caught up trying to copy their heroes they’ve forgotten that those songs were actually fun. Musically, the Raveonettes are about as comforting as a fake smile.

On Lust Lust Lust they further isolate the listener in an attempt to differentiate the album from their previous three efforts by beefing up the songs with some noise-rock features. For instance, long-time followers of the band will be surprised right out of the blocks, as first track ‘Aly, Walk with Me’, sports a Massive Attack-sized drumbeat. In fact, the band might be aiming for the song to emulate the Bristol-based group’s classic ‘Angel’, right down to the sexy vocals and dusty Ennio Morricone-like guitar. It’s a genuine surprise, and while it’s no five-star classic, the change of pace from their previous work is a welcome one. That is until the final third of the track, when it gives in to a haze of fuzzed-up feedback. Maybe they were aiming for some sort of artistic credibility, but the fuzz proves more annoying than artsy – adding a layer of rust to songs that really don’t require it. It’s all a bit of a confused muddle, not helped by the fact that this is probably the least memorable set of songs the group have penned to date.

For all their limitations The Raveonettes have churned out some pretty decent songs in the past. There was sheer energy of ‘Beat City”’, the Kinks-pilfering ‘Love in a Trash Can’ and of course the cheeky ‘Christmas Song’. One day they’ll put them all together and people will really pay attention. But for now listeners must be content with an output featuring the likes of the annoyingly un-funnily titled ‘You Want Candy’ (spot the reference there), an illogical concoction that sees the band flirt dangerously with comic parody rather than retro charm. The guitar-abusing ‘Expelled from Love’ also plodding along depressingly without melody.

In a way, The Raveonettes are just too moody for the good vibrations of the sixties. Maybe a slight blow to the machine and they can return as a really decent art rock-outfit. But for a group attempting to record pop songs, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo might always be just a little too cool for school.