Raven in the Grave (2011)

In true RS;EC. fashion, the raveonettes do it again.



The record that was reported by being darker and less fun than any other Raveonettes album, is that to an extent. Its still very much a Raveonettes record, its got noise, harmonies on harmonies, and it cuts you. I don't know how fair it is to say that this album is "darker" than any of the other Ravonettes' efforts. From cuts off of Pretty in Black of a girl committing suicide, and cuts off of pretty much any other Album (Lustx3, Whip it on, chain gang, or in and out of control), Raven in the Grave just isn't a whole lot darker lyrically or topically.

Sonically, this is a different story. The timbre and the feel of the new record is dark. It feels cold. Not like a cold shoulder, but a dreary, gloomy, funeral day cold. To put it lightly, it feels empty. You just want to hug it, and tell it that everything will be alright, even though you know it won't be.

Let me on out, for example, is moving. Thats all I can say about it, its just damn moving. Washes of noise, and a slow pace, and Sune Wagner's heart wrenching delivery of the lyrics just makes it a sad song.

Forget that you're young, the most sing-a-long cut off the record is a song about heartbreak, but just because of the situations at hand. An age gap is separating love, either that or its about pedo's. I'm guessing its the former.

War in heaven. I'm guessing someone died that Sune or Sharin knew. "wait, a war? In heaven? Wait, a war in heaven? I hate it when they forget, to let people live." I'm done with that one.

Evil Seeds: holds the title lyric in it. Its no different than any of the other songs.
Its. just. sad.


To put it into perspective.

On a beautiful summer day, throw on Crazy for you (2010)- Best coast, Cape Dory (2011) - Tennis, or even Lust Lust Lust (2008) - Raveonettes (if you want some melancholy but still a summer jam).

On a cold, rainy fall, spring, or summer day. When you just want to either be held, or hold someone. Put this on. Maybe you could even call it a winter album. I don't know, or care.

It'd be a killer record for slow dancing.

All in all 9/10 without a second guess, it might even be a perfect record for me. I dunno, just pick it up and give it a shot