Jesus and Mary Chain comparisons aside, this Danish duo established their sound eight years ago by patching together an aural quilt of retro-rock roots — from garage to surf to wall of sound — and haven't wavered since. Their fourth full-length explores darker lyrical territory and offers more-focused melodies.
It's a distinct change from 2003's Chain Gang of Love — an album with the L-word in one third of its track titles and a less-than-dynamic sonic landscape. Death, lost love, and violence are the new thematic frontrunners. As for the evolution of their fuzzed-out, lo-fi style, it isn't nearly as morose as the subject matter.
I haven't heard a more effervescent way of declaring that rapists should be snuffed out than "Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed)." And death and violence wouldn't be complete without "D.R.U.G.S.," the subdued anthem. (It's possible that any song of that spelling is instantly sing-alongable.) In and Out of Control is a reined-in Raveonettes album with more differentiation among songs. It's still retro pop, but a track like "Heart of Stone" demonstrates a distinct adjustment of attitude — as well as the reverb dials.
THE RAVEONETTES | Paradise Rock Club, 967 Comm Ave, Boston | October 20 at 8 pm | $18 | 617.562.8800 or www.ticketmaster.com
