release date: Nov. 12, 2007
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,77]
producer: Sune Rose Wagner
label: Fierce Panda - nationality: Denmark
Track highlights: 1. "Aly, Walk with Me" - 2. "Hallucinations" - 3. "Lust" - 4. "Dead Sound" - 8. "You Want the Candy" - 9. "Blitzed" - 10. "Sad Transmission" - 12. "The Beat Dies"
3rd full-length studio album by The Raveonettes following 2½ years after Pretty in Black (May 2005) basically continue the style of the predecessor but with a stronger original sound both by mixing 60s surf rock and contemporary recording methods using electronic drums and synths to create a 50s / 60s vibe that nonetheless works really well, and by including more of the surf rock and garage rock sound they incorporated on the debut. The album is not a lengthy affair but provides us with 12 songs with a total running time just below 41 minutes. Previously, the band of songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Sune Rose Wagner and bassist & vocalist Sharin Foo were aided by a full backing band playing traditional instruments, but not this time. The album appears to have been recorded by Wagner and Foo only - with the former playing all instruments and Foo 'only' adding vocals to the songs. The result is quite fine with a strong blend of styles, yet keeping the course balancing both soft / hard and ballads / rockers in what appears as full control. It's really a coherent and unison album that lifts the level by another notch.
Btw. this is the band's first album that doesn't have Wagner or Foo on the front cover.
The album is a strong contender to the best album by The Raveonettes.