It was always going to be a tough trudge back to relevancy for the Danish duo after the release of their lacklustre fifth long-player Raven in the Grave earlier this year. Yet “Oh, Stranger,” set to feature on the soundtrack for new game Batman: Arkham City, sees somewhat of a return to form for The Raveonettes.
The familiar elements are there: the harmonised vocals, the hollow reverb and background fuzz. But “Oh, Stranger” possesses what their recent output doesn’t – a sense of curatorial discernment. The Raveonettes produce their best work when their well-tested sound is controlled and disciplined. “Oh, Stranger” is tight and direct, relentless in its driving pace and measured in sonic direction. This is hardly new ground for a band intent on operating within the strict limits of a certain “sound,” but is a welcome reminder that they are still capable of pushing those restrictions to produce something appealing.
The Raveonettes – “Oh, Stranger”
