Observator
The Danish duo of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo traveled to Los Angeles to work on *Observator*, their sixth studio album as The Raveonettes. Diagnosed with clinical depression, Wagner battled his demons with further substance abuse, and his battles are reflected in the forlorn atmosphere that dominates the set. Teaming up with their original producer, Richard Gottehrer, The Raveonettes turn pain and suffering into a beautiful haze. Recorded in just a week at L.A.\'s legendary Sunset Sound Studios, *Observator* teems with gorgeous, wistful melodies and an energy far more infectious and spiritually rewarding than Wagner\'s downward spiral. The music of \"Sinking with the Sun\" bounces with a shoegaze, Britpop optimism. \"Observations\" evokes the keyboard-guitar-bass drama of the medieval-based Aerosmith epic \"Kings and Queens\" in its quieter moments, while also using a lead guitar line that aches like The Rolling Stones\' \"Gimme Shelter.\" Despite—or because of—the human pain involved in its creation, *Observator* is a bright spot in a dark world. Essential.
The Raveonettes have always had a promiscuous relationship with pop history, dredging grungy 1950s juvie rock and 60s girl groups through 70s punk and 90s shoegaze. A decade into its career, the band seems to be settling comfortably into itself, which is good and bad.
Several bands peddle the same reverb-and-hooks sound that The Raveonettes have been perfecting for about a decade now. While that could mire Observator, the Danish duo’s sixth full-length, in a veritable sea of Best Coasts, Beach Houses, Tennises, and other fuzzed-out modern acts, The Raveonettes have a couple…
The Raveonettes - Observator review: Parked beside the ocean on our moonlight drive.