The Raveonettes return to their previous affection for distortion, filtered over mulling background beats and behind soft vocals. The duo’s sound for this album makes you feel like there are three walls between you and each note. The end product lacks mainstream appeal (not that they’re going for that — although, “You Want the Candy” should be liked by most), but I like the idea of this couple orchestrating the next James Bond movie song. Overall, if the idea of a fifties band transplanted into late 1970s New York makes your ears perk up. Check for yourself.
Quarters for the songs: With My Eyes Closed; Black Satin; Sad Transmission; You Want the Candy; Hallucinations.
Worth a listen, if you like: Buddy Holly; The Jesus and Mary Chain; My Bloody Valentine; The Arcade Fire; Dinosaur, Jr.; The National; Tindersticks; Low; Richard Hawley.
(originally posted on QFTJ in March 2008)