The Raveonettes live!

The Raveonettes
Double Door, Chicago
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

At this point in The Raveonettes’ career, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo have inarguably established themselves and their sound — specifically, feedback-drenched fuzz pop with a healthy mix of ’50s love songs and The Jesus And Mary Chain as their primary influences.

In many ways, it works for the group, especially on record, as each album gives fans of the outfit exactly what they’re looking for. Where it hinders the Danish pop duo a bit is in a live setting, in that, moving between a mix of material from the length of their catalog, it becomes apparent The Raveonettes are more than comfortable repeatedly covering more or less the same territory.

Last Tuesday’s Double Door performance was a prime example, as they moved through old and new material alike. And while it may have driven home the point that the duo may not have much range, what did work, thankfully worked well. Better known moments like the comparatively energized and jaunting “Attack Of The Ghost Riders” exemplified what first drew attention to The Raveonettes.

Newer fare like “You Want The Candy,” off the recently released Lust Lust Lust (Vice), demonstrated the band at their catchiest, Brill Building/bubblegum jangle in full effect. Unfortunately, it also drew attention to the fact that much of the rest of the show trod the same ground, not leaving much of a lasting impression, if even any at all.

— Jaime de’Medici

Category: Live Reviews, Weekly