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It takes an album like Pretty in Black to make you realise the life affirming power of great pop music.
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Are you listening, Quentin Tarantino? Here's the soundtrack to your next movie.
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The Raveonettes genius is that they pay homage with such style, passion and grace that it's virtually impossible not to be converted to their cause.
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[They] have taken their love of Fifties kitsch and Sixties pop off the Jesus & Mary Chain Gang of Love and down to the Velvet Underground.
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The restrictions have vanished, the sound has opened up, and the tempos have slowed down considerably.
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Pretty in Black is virtually fuzz-free, highlighting the exquisite detail in the Raveonettes' gift for pastiche.
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Alternative PressThe Raveonettes sound creatively liberated. [May 2005, p.174]
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Just as their previous fetish for deep distortion and a limited set of chords did, pink-hued noir here can prove to be something of an acquired taste. However, it never sinks into unintentional parody, earning it the acclaim of sounding like nothing else currently out there.
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Their reverb-drenched nostalgia trip is full of enough talent and original thought, though, that the result is respectable and classy, not boorish and (yawn) retro.
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UncutThe territory--dark skies, open roads and femme fatales--gives a gothic edge to even the most tender sentiment. [Aug 2005, p.98]
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MagnetUltimately attains genuine staying power. [#68, p.108]
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Entertainment WeeklySounds like a collection of freshly minted oldies. [22 Apr 2005, p.64]
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The larger scope of the album bodes well for The Raveonettes... [but] it’s a shame that there are several clunkers mixed with such strong material.
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The album's no-frills sound proves to be a welcome diversion.
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FilterPut it this way: the Raveonettes have got one serious retro fetish. [#15, p.95]
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BlenderA surprisingly heartfelt collection, heavy on lullaby-like ballads yet still oozing with sexy noir ambiance. [Jun 2005, p.113]
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PlanetConsider it a pre-fab Tarantino soundtrack, shopping music for a perfect vintage boutique. [#10, p.70]
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Strange and provocative.
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MojoMostly, it works. [Aug 2005, p.102]
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A diverted and shapeless album that only hints at what they're capable of accomplishing.
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It should be noted that what Pretty In Black lacks in vigor is made up for in variety... now if only they could find a way to fuse the two, maybe The Raveonettes would make an entire album as good as their singles.
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The perfect antique Cadillac album.
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SpinUneven, overly reverential. [May 2005, p.110]
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A major disappointment to say the least, Pretty in Black is such an indifferent and transparent record that it makes one reconsider the quality of the album that preceded it.
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Q MagazineIt's just artful karaoke. [Jun 2005, p.116]
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To call 'Pretty In Black' disappointing would be an understatement in the least, particularly for a band whose delivery has matched their promise over their previous releases.
User score distribution:
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Positive: 19 out of 21
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Mixed: 1 out of 21
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Negative: 1 out of 21
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[Anonymous]Jun 4, 2005Impressive third album, not as electrifying as Chain Gang of Love but irresistably infectious. Worth a listen, or ten.
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BriabRDec 29, 2005Great album. The danes have not yet discovered the quality of the Raveonttes, maybe thats why so few good bands comes from Denmark.
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PaulHJul 11, 2005