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Photo taken by J.J. McCarthy
You can’t really ask for much more these days if you’re a Raveonettes fan. Depending on where you lived, they released an album in either late-2007 or early-2008. Then, the duo released a series of four EPs throughout the final quarter of last year. Early this year, the band announced it was headed to the studio to record a new album that would be released Sept. 1.
Now, if all of that wasn’t enough, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo are sharing demos from their overseas romp in Denmark. (I say overseas because although they are Denmark natives, both have since relocated to the States.) Today they released the third demo in as many days, titled “In and Out of Control.” (You can download it here.) This one hooks you from opening second and doesn’t let go. Great progression — just gets catchier and catchier. This is the most “Raveonettes” of the three tracks released so far, but the bass riff in the middle and the guitar guiding the chorus make it all sound so explosive and fresh.
I’m wondering if by the time they’re done giving us these demos we’ll have nearly the full album. Not the finished product, but the songs. What do you think? If they release more over the weekend, I’ll post them here just like all the others.
In other related Raveonettes news, Wagner has stressed via Twitter and MySpace that these demos are strictly for your enjoyment. Says the frontman:
“It seems like the media is a bit confused about what we’re doing right now in regards to inviting you into the recording process. I’ve read some articles about how we ‘need’ help from our fans which obviously is not true. We’re totally tuned into what we’re doing and we’re making a fucking great album. I always appreciate and believe that people should be able to leave comments but we’re not looking for production or songwriting help. Hope that clarifies it.”
Photo taken by J.J. McCarthy
There’s something to be said about being able to create a pop song with the title, “Boys Who Rape.” The subject matter is dark, but the chorus, which goes, “Boys who (Boys who) / Rape should (Rape should) / All be (All be) / Destroyed,” is infectious. It almost becomes comedic, in a good way — like a no-brainer rallying cry most people would have no problem supporting. The heavy reverb and intro’s fading lo-fi guitar sound and electric drums keep the song in check, if you will, from becoming a simple ditty. Those elements ground the subject matter, reminding us of what we’re dealing with.
Again promising fans via Twitter a new demo would drop later today, the Raveonettes have released the second work-in-progress in as many days. Like I said yesterday, from the lyrics I’ve seen and the two songs posted so far, this new album is shaping up to be the Danish duo’s darkest yet. Musically, though, it may be the poppiest, taking into consideration other snippets I’ve heard. I personally like the idea. The last record had Sune Rose Wagner focused in on lust and its various forms. It was dark, but more of a personal journey. Now, we have tracks dealing with rape and girls overdosing. Without trying to label the whole forthcoming album, both of these songs sympathize with tortured women. So besides sound, we’re dealing with something completely new and fresh from the previous effort, while keeping the spirit of the band closely intact.
More to come…
Sharin Foo and Sune Rose Wagner in the studio
Making good on their promise this morning, The Raveonettes have released their first studio demo, “Last Dance.” Please note that is the working title. The annoucement came via Twitter, complete with special links to their U.S. label’s (Vice Records) website: one to download the new track, and another to sign up to receive further updates on demos and other “special things the band has planned for their new record.”
This is a pretty cool marketing strategy and in some ways furthers artists’ ability to use the Internet control their own destiny. Instead of the record leaking a month before its release and possibly getting a bad reception, fans can now weigh in and pretty much know what to expect before the proper package hits stores, thus killing that dire need to hear the entire thing early. And even if it does leak, who cares? Most of the stuff was released first by the band. I think we are moving out of the area of the big surprise record. The sooner artists embrace this and use the Internet to their benefit instead of simply going through the motions with their MySpace accounts, the more interesting music will be. I’m not saying everyone should release demos in the runup to a record; but the Internet just makes it so easy to be creative, and most people are still following that old-school record label model.
But let’s get to the specifics here, because after all, the reason this song was released in the first place was to get reaction, buzz, whatever. Firstly, “Last Dance,” in its current form, represents a huge difference from the last album, Lust Lust Lust. Where that release was caked with layer upon layer of feedback, noise and fuzz, this three-and-a-half-minute pop song, despite relatively subtle hints of fuzz in the guitar, is clearer and much more accessible. Not to say that’s a bad thing. I think frontman Sune Rose Wagner has always regretted not breaking the mainstream, and songs like this might be his chance to change all of that. Don’t let any of this fool you, though. The reverb, catchy hooks and dark lyricism — possibly bleaker than before — are all intact, and so far, it doesn’t sound like Pretty In Black. Take that however you wish.
