The Raveonettes - Chain Gang Of Love

The Raveonettes barely gave listeners a glimpse of their cinematic brilliance with their Whip It On EP. One listen to their first studio full-length, The Chain Gang of Love, and you'll know it immediately. The crash and charm of this 14-song set exceeds any kind of glorious expectations laid out at the beginning, and the Raveonettes probably want it that way. Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo go for a much bigger sound this time around. The Chain Gang of Love is far glossier and more layered in melodies compared to Whip ItOn's gray-coloured coolness. Having legendary producer Richard Gottehrer (Blondie, Marshall Crenshaw, the Go-Go's) at the helm doesn't hurt either, for he captures the Raveonettes' true pop essence with style. Forget those rules of keeping it to three chords recorded in B-flat minor. The Raveonettes indulge themselves in the finer elements of mid-'80s post-punk/noise pop (think The Jesus & Mary Chain) and combine it with sheer pop melodies of the '50 and '60s for a sexy rock & roll picture show. From the fantastic pop jaunt of "The Great Love Sound" to the pulsating rockabilly blend of "Let's Rave On" and "Heartbreak Stroll," The Chain Gang of Love finds the Danish duo embracing influences of the past, but the Raveonettes tweak things ever so slightly to make them their own. The Chain Gang of Love isn't suffocated in garage rock fashion alone, either. Foo and Wagner's low vocals may hint at such a display, but overall, their smooth pop presentation won't be pigeonholed. The Raveonettes honour great pop moments of yesteryear, in hopes of positioning themselves and the rock scene in general for something grand later on.

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1.       Remember
2.       That Great Love Sound
3.       Noisy Summer
4.       The Love Gang
5.       Let’s Rave On
6.       Dirty Eyes (Sex Don’t Sell)
7.       Love Can Destroy Everything
8.       Heartbreak Stroll
9.       Little Animal
10.   Untamed Girls
11.   Chain Gang of Love
12.   The Truth About Johnny
13.   New York Was Great
14.   C’mon Everybody