Raven in the Grave
On their fifth disc, this Danish duo prolong their frigid endless summer, turning out songs full of surf-pop harmonies and film-noir ambience. One or both members are clearly smarting from broken hearts — they’ve softened their usual lyrics of crime and violence into lovelorn laments like “Let Me on Out.” But it’s a little hard to care about their pain, since their sound seems more routine than ever. “Recharge & Revolt” milks the same brand of tinny treble guitars that were getting tired a record ago, and the distortion-laced “Evil Seeds” freeze-dries the Jesus and Mary Chain, making an already detached band seem even chillier. Wear a parka to this beach party.
Listen to “Evil Seeds”: