The Raveonettes

Item: Pretty in Black
Author: Jacob Gehman

Pretty in Black

(2005)

Reviewed by Jacob Gehman

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Label Columbia Records / Sony MusicDecapolisJune 2005

garage rock noise pop

I've been listening to an oldies radio station a lot recently when I'm in the car. They play all of those fun hits from the 60s and 70s that, if I were older, would be a fun, nostalgic trip. Instead, for me, they're just really, really fun. I was listening to this station the other day while driving to work and I thought, "You know, the new Raveonettes CD would fit in well on this station."

And it would. It is just a joyful, unabashed romp through the pop stylings that made those two decades bearable. Granted, I am assuming since I wasn't born until the early 80s. This meant that, thankfully, I got to miss most of the shoddy excuse for music THAT decade offered. However, what makes "Pretty In Black" work is how comfortably it would fit into a 60s and 70s hit radio station.

The production, while not quite as lean as the primitive attempts back then, still crackles and pops with age. It feels vintage without actually being distracting. While other bands have gone back to the good ol' days for inspiration, like The Shins, none of them quite agree to leave the rocking aspect behind in favor of the pop quite the way The Raveonettes have.

That isn't to say that The Raveonettes never rocked. Their first release was an EP that buzzed angrily and felt like a sonic chainsaw. That was my introduction to The Raveonettes and I was hooked. Unfortunately, by the time their full length rolled around they tamed the rock and became, well, boring. The instrumentation was bland and while the vocal harmonies were sweet it just wasn't enough to power a full length. But now, The Raveonettes are pop joy and worth listening to again.

If you don't enjoy stumbling upon those classic pop radio stations, I can't imagine you enjoying this CD. However, it is performed excellently and with heart so for everyone else, enjoy.

3/4