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The Raveonettes, “Pretty in Black”
Malts, poodle skirts, and beach-blanket bingo: These are just a few of the things conjured up by Pretty in Black, the Raveonettes’ third effort. The band’s strong appreciation for ’50s and ’60s American music is in full effect here, as evidenced by their cover of The Angels’ classic “My Boyfriend’s Back,” along with their own “Here Comes Mary” and “Ode to L.A.” The surf guitar permeating “Love in a Trashcan” is also a definite ode to the days of Gidget and Moondoggie. The Danish duo serves up the occasional romantic ballad, such as “The Heavens,” whose lyrics -- “Step away / I’m off to the heavens / But my heart stays with you all the time” -- seem to be inspired by simpler times.
Though somewhat eclectic, with the somewhat upbeat beat rock-n-roll track “Sleepwalking” as well as cowboy crooner “Uncertain Times,” most of the album will send you hula-hooping to the drive-in. And though the band has a clear handle on how to mimic ’50s bubblegum pop, their only new take on the genre is a very subtle noir twist -- which begs the question: Why bother?
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