The Raveonettes: “Sing…” (2024) CD Review

The Ravenottes are the duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, from Denmark. While most of their albums contain original material, on their new album, Sing…, they cover some of the songs that inspired them when they were beginning the group, mostly music from the 1960s. From time to time, the band has included a cover song. On the second album, Pretty In Black, they covered “My Boyfriend’s Back,” a hit for The Angels in 1963, and on their holiday EP they covered Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home),” which was also originally released in 1963. So clearly they have an affinity for music from that time.

They open the album with an absolutely adorable rendition of “I Love How You Love Me,” a song written by Barry Mann and Larry Kolber. It was a hit for The Paris Sisters in the early 1960s. There is a sweet, dreamlike quality to the delivery of this version by The Raveonettes. “I love how your eyes close/Whenever you kiss me.” Listening to this track, you just want to close your eyes and drift into its world. They follow that with another delightful number from the 1960s, “Goo Goo Muck,” which was originally recorded by Ronnie Cook And The Gaylads. It was later covered by The Cramps in the early 1980s on their Psychedelic Jungle album, and it seems The Raveonettes take more inspiration from The Cramps version, apparent from the fact that it is that band which is listed on the album’s cover. And also they deliver the line as “I’m the night headhunter looking for some head,” which is how The Cramps did it. The original line is “I’m the night headhunter looking for a head.” Who doesn’t love these rock and roll monster songs? Anyway, they do a great job with it.  That’s followed by “The Girl On Death Row,” another song from the early 1960s, this one was written by Lee Hazelwood, and originally recorded by Lee Hazelwood with Duane Eddy And His Orchestra. This is a darker, more somber number, and The Raveonnettes’ version reflects that, though perhaps their rendition is just a bit more fun than the original. I love the way they deliver these lines: “Is she guilty? She says no/The girl on death row.”

It seems fitting that these guys would cover an Everly Brothers song, as they are known, at least in part, for their two-part harmonies. And apparently when they were starting out, they used to cover Everly Brothers songs. The song they pick is “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” and it is perhaps the best choice from that catalogue, for their dreamlike vibes fit the mood perfectly. The Raveonettes deliver a wonderful rendition. Then we get a song composed by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, who wrote a lot of hits, a lot of great songs. The one The Raveonettes choose to cover is “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” which was a hit for The Shirelles in 1960. The Raveonettes deliver an interesting rendition, with a steady and quick pulse on percussion, over which their vocals have a more relaxed quality, creating a juxtaposition of feelings. That pulse disappears a bit before the end, and that repetition of the main line at the end is effective.

They then go in a different direction, covering “Venus In Furs,” a song written by Lou Reed and originally included on The Velvet Underground & Nico album. This is a song that I love. I also love the Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch novel that it is based on, and even the mediocre film versions (why can’t anyone make a good Venus In Furs movie?). The Raveonnettes give us an excellent rendition, certainly getting into the great atmosphere of the song. “Ermine furs adorn the imperious/Severin, Severin awaits you there.” You never see anyone in ermine anymore. Why is that? Anyway, this is one of my favorite tracks. After that, they return to a slightly earlier time, covering Buddy Holly’s “Wishing,” a song he wrote with Bob Montgomery. I like that bit of fuzz they add to it, giving it a later 1960s vibe.

“Return Of The Grievous Angel” is an interesting choice, for it the only song on this album that is more in the country realm. It was included on Gram Parson’s final studio album, with Gram joined by Emmylou Harris. And, yes, The Raveonettes’ rendition is still in that country realm, and it features some beautiful vocal work. They do add their own touches to it, adding a bit of fuzz as they did on “Wishing.” That’s followed by Shakin’ All Over,” another cool 1960s song, this one originally done by Johnny Kid & The Pirates. This is fun, particularly the instrumental section in the middle, which features some strong guitar work. There is a rumbling at the end. The Raveonettes then put their own spin on “Leader Of The Pack,” creating a fuzzier sound than that of the original. And in this version there is no spoken word intro, and no backing vocals answering, “Yes, we see.”

From The Who, The Raveonettes choose “The Kids Are Alright.” Interestingly, the drums don’t come in as early as they do on the original Who version. This gives the song a bit of a more moody vibe, with the vocals being the focus. “Better leave her behind with the kids, they’re all right.” The drums come in on “Sometimes I feel I got to get away,” and on this rendition the drums provide a steady pulse. There is no wild Keith Moon-type work here, and that is enough to give it a very different feel. The disc concludes with “The End,” the Doors song. This version has a much prettier vibe to it, which in a strange way is even more haunting. This version does have that eerie feel of being out on a dusty road in the wild west somewhere. This version is much shorter than the original. That whole spoken word section is cut, so no Oedipal screams in this one.

CD Track List

1. I Love How You Love Me
2. Goo Goo Muck
3. The Girl On Death Row
4. All I Have To Do Is Dream
5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
6. Venus In Furs
7. Wishing
8. Return Of The Grievous Angel
9. Shakin’ All Over
10. Leader Of The Pack
11. The Kids Are Alright
12. The End

Sing… is scheduled to be released on July 19, 2024, and will be available on both CD and vinyl. The vinyl is glow-in-the-dark green, but does not have the last two tracks.