Whip It on
Heirs to theWhite Stripes' new-garage throne, the Raveonettes have delivered a debut of enormous spirit and purpose. Only 21 minutes long, it's one of those rare albums that leave one aching for more. By deliberately setting limits (all songs are under three minutes long, are in B minor, feature three or fewer chords, and don't have high hats), the Danish duo--like theCramps, theJesus and Mary Chain, andSuicide--give themselves run to go wild within narrow parameters. "Attack of the Ghost Riders" is thrillingly volatile rock & roll, overlaid with the shrieking of tortured machinery. "My Tornado" is a churning plea to a pitiless, glorious lover. Better still is the slow, grim "Bowels of the Beast," which sounds like the Cramps performing Black Sabbath, and the closing "Beat City," in which the sweet harmonies of Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo tumble into a maelstrom of howling guitar.Whip It Onis simple but amazingly energetic.--Dominic Wills