Slowly but steadily, Danish duo The Raveonettes have become one of the hardest working indie bands on the circuit. Ever since arriving onto the scene under a fog of melodic vocals, fuzzy guitars and feedback, the duo have put out albums at an incredible rate. Check this out:
2002 – Whip It On (actually an EP)
2003 – Chain Gang of Love
2005 – Pretty in Black
2007 – Lust Lust Lust
2009 – In and Out of Control
2011 – Raven in the Grave
2012 – Observator
That is incredible, considering all the touring that the band does. With all the recording and all the touring, one must conclude that Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo
a) are workaholics
b) hate living in Denmark
c) are machines
d) really like hotels
Regardless of why the duo like to be on the road so much, one must face the facts, at one point or another, you are probably going to see this band live. Tuesday night was that point for me. With new album Observator in tow, the group once again took the stage in our fine city.
Ask any casual music fan about the Raveonettes and they’ll probably mention the Jesus and Mary Chain influences, the fuzzy guitars and drowned out (yet catchy) vocals that dominated their first few records. Yet, as I stood at the Phoenix, listening to the band play from their large back catalog, it suddenly occurred to me that they have become so much more then that. Performing mostly Tracks off Observator, songs such as She Owns The Street and Young and Cold sounded great live, even with the more stripped down affair. Seeing the Raveonettes live, you get to focus on one of the bands more underrated features – their vocal harmonies. Whether it be with their harder material or their more laid back work, both Sune and Sharin shine when they are on the microphone, their voices are velvety smooth and have that dreamy, hazy semi detached feel to it. It works great with their music.
While the first portion of their show showcased their new material, the group haven’t forgotten their roots. As the show progressed, the music got louder and louder and duo played their breakout hit Attack of the Ghost Rider surrounded by smoke and pulsating black and white lights, a very fitting setting for that song, which still sounds great today.
Although they didn’t play my favorite (and Dance Cave staple) Great Love Sound, The Raveonettes still managed to impress. Just another days work for this ever evolving band.
Hallucinations
She Owns The Streets
Dead Sound
Blush
Apparitions
Curse the Night
The Enemy
Gone Forever
Observations
Remember
Young and Cold
Attack Of The Ghost Riders
Chains
Bowels Of The Beast
Aly, Walk With Me
Sinking With the Sun
Cops on our Tail