People used to get excited by 3-D glasses. How, if you squinted just right, you could convince yourself that the shark was coming right at you. I say this because the artwork of The Raveonettes’ latest album, Lust, Lust, Lust is rendered in such multi-dimensional magnificence; you even get a pair of special specs tucked inside with the lyric sheet. A cute touch, yes, but symptomatic of a band who in this respect, as in their music, are dedicated nostalgists.
The opening ‘Aly, Walk With Me’ suggests the object of The Raveonettes’ titular lust is none other than the Velvet Underground (& Nico) circa 1967. We are presented with guitars that screech and scrape like a supertanker dashing against rocks, deep rumbling bass and a glacier cool blonde who sings of deathly desire. Elsewhere the Danish duo exhibit an infatuation with the Jesus And Mary Chain, brazenly titling one track ‘You Want The Candy’. Psychocandy methinks.
One of the album stand-outs, ‘Sad Transmission’, takes the delicate Shangri-Las style vocal of Sharin Foo and places it within a maelstrom of Suicide guitar squall.
The sense of tension is entrancing. Again, however, influences are flaunted all too conspicuously. Already dated, The Raveonettes 3-D thrills are temporarily diverting, but ultimately provide only the illusion of depth.