The dark, dirty, yet somehow bright tones of the newest release by The Raveonettes push through like a knife through a backlit canvas. Sweet vocals accented by dual harmonies make for a more pop-styled album than previous releases, two of which imposed artistic restraints such as recording in one key for an entire album. This new freedom which made its appearance on the last release might introduce more ears to the band, but the other side of that coin is that it might turn off older fans and purists.

A trip-hoppy drum beat on opener "Aly, Walk With Me" shares the stage with surfish guitar tones that turn into high-gain Sonic Youth noise treatment.  Adding to the light at the end of the seedy little tunnel are lines such as "Sun explodes on my skin ..." from "Black Satin". "Dead Sound" breaks out a subtle but noticeable guitar tone directly culled from The Breeders' "No Aloha".

The album's title is apropos, as the album is abound with double entendres like "You Want the Candy", and the drum beats and engineered fuzz that permeate the album sound very much like Lou Barlow's Folk Implosion, widely recognized for songs from the promiscuous teenager movie Kids.  Very much a band paying homage to the Jesus and Mary Chain, the album eventually pushes rewind, blending '50s singing (the are the Raveonettes, after all) with the shoegaze-y sound of the American '90s. "With My Eyes Closed" is straight out of American Graffiti, which is funny, considering The Raveonettes are Danes. The duo would never just rehash the music of another time, however. This entire album is balls-to-the-wall loud even though there is a limited arsenal of instruments at its disposal.

Lust Lust Lust was released in Late January on Vice Records.  For your listening pleasure, the band is offering a free download of "Dead Sound" from Lust Lust Lust. Listen to your heart's content, but if you like what you hear, please click here and purchase Lust Lust Lust for yourself.

The Raveonettes will be playing The Ottobar on March 28 with Thrushes (remember to cast your vote in the Thrushes remix contest!), and closing out their tour on the 29th in DC at The Black Cat.

Tags: Album Reviews, Baltimore, New Releases, Ottobar, The Raveonettes, thrushes