The Raveonettes are a duo, kind of. The main two behind the group is a guy, Sune Rose Wagner, and a girl, Sharin Foo. But it seems that there is also a guitar player and a drummer who are listed as a part of the band but never get mentioned other than that.

Regardless, Sune Rose Wagner should be the heart throb of females everywhere. He has that innocent baby face which females seem to swoon over. Sharin Foo has obviously dyed blonde hair and would look better if it was black. Guys could definately fall for her, too.

Last year The Raveonettes released an EP titled "Whip It On". It was recorded in "Glorious B-Flat Minor" and was fairly one dimentional. The songs were strong, but all utilized the same trick. Making them almost indistinguishable from each other. They were hard and fast paced. There was a surf-punk quality to them.

Now, they greet us with "Chain Gang of Love", which, coincidently, is recorded in B-Flat Major. Destroy all of your conceptions of this band based on "Whip It On". Despite the artwork which looks quite simular, the only other thing which links "Whip It On" to "Chain Gang of Love" is the surf influence on the music.

Gone is the hard driving, fast songs. Gone is the one dimentional song writing. Throw away the concept that they're a one trick pony. In it's place is a mature pop-surf album that is different in almost every way.

Some of the fuzzy sonics are simular. And they still harmonize like there's no tomorrow. But in place of rocking out there is lush (but still electric) instrumentation. It feels like it's slowed down. Way more laid back in tone and production.

The general change in the approach to songwriting/execution makes it hard for me to grasp this album. It's good. It just doesn't seem like The Raveonettes that I know and love. DO NOT buy this album expecting "Whip It On".

There is really only one low point, in my opinion, to this cd. Track 7, "Love Can Destroy Everything." I wince every time this song comes on and usually skip ahead one track to save myself the pain. It beeps the same note at the same interval and the same volume through the entire song. It's enough to drive me up a tree. But out of 13 tracks one loser isn't bad.