The Raveonettes – In and Out of Control

In and Out of Control would seem to portray the natural balance of concepts like up and down, good and evil, life and death. The Raveonettes instead decide to focus on the out-of-control part, greatly leveraging the content to those themes of the darker side. Just a glance at the track listing clearly gives the hint that this will be an emo self-loathing list: “Gone Forever,” “D.R.U.G.S,” “Suicide,” and the ever so cheerful title “Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed).” Yet despite the bleak outlook The Raveonettes have painted with this album, the music itself is a total contrast of those ideas. Its synth-heavy beats are more likely to get people dancing than moping. And there is, indeed, a balance/counter-balance underlying The Raveonettes’ intentions on this album.

The oddest part of In and Out of Control’s themes of despair is the point they arrive in the band’s career and personal lives. 2008’s Lust Lust Lust was perhaps their most critically acclaimed album to date and led the way for a slew of equally exciting EPs carrying them to the end of the year. Following those, Sune Rose Wagner released a solo album in his native Danish tongue while Sharin Foo was busy becoming a mother. One would think that each would bring a little personal cheer to their next studio sessions.

This is where the contrast comes into play. The album begins with “Bang!” and Wagner’s declaration of “Bang you’re so vicious baby/ Bang you sure know how to control me/ You’re as cool as ice cream,” while bopping to the traditional shoegaze/synth/surf rock that The Raveonettes have been known for. It’s not till we get the lines, “when you hit me baby… when I scream now baby…you know I love it…” that we get the hidden message. This is the first song to allude to domestic violence; “Break Up Girls!” deals with the subject with clearer, more literal lyrics. Yet on both songs, if one is only listening to the music on the surface you are most likely to hear the dance beat and the seemingly joyous matter the hook is sung.

Not that songs of depression are new for The Raveonettes. Along with the aforementioned distinct sound, one could say it’s their modus operandi. It again comes down to what is on the surface and what is buried in the lyrics. Nothing on the album sounds as dark as it should. Any given song on the sexually charged Lust Lust Lust is more sonically gloomy than anything here. The first single “Last Dance” could be taken for a breakup song or the physical last dance until you realize that they are taking about a drug overdose and the metaphorical version instead.

This is the structure within which In and Out of Control plays out. “Gone Forever” immortalizes the memories of listening to “Ramones and Rocaway Beach” with a deceased lover. Foo uses the track “Boys Who Rape” to sympathize the trauma of a rape victim through dream pop. The hook on “Suicide” will get anyone bouncing to the beat with the anti-suicide message of filling life’s void with trashy boys and sex. “Oh, I Buried You Today” and album closer “Wine” find the duo breaking out the Beach Boys flavor that is so popular today.

The Raveonettes have created two different albums depending on the type of listener you might be. For someone who just likes a good sound, there is a dance rock album of thumping synths and surf rock guitars creating good rhythm. Those who are more intrigued by the meaning beneath the music will find an album of sorrow songs dealing with the underbelly of everyday live. When you combine the two sides you get something that creates a balance between contrasting elements. It’s an album that is both in and out of control.

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Tagged as: Denmark, electrorock, Los Angeles, New York, Synth-pop

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