Attack of the Killer Track! is a series that explores tracks from artists from a variety of genres. Some of the tracks were singles, some of them were obscure b-sides or long forgotten album tracks. One thing is certain – all of them are killer tracks.
The early 00’s (aughts for you hipsters) were fraught with throwback bands indebted to the cult of The Velvet Underground and The Jesus & Mary Chain. The Strokes and Black Rebel Music Club were the bands that got the most press, but The Raveonettes have proved to be the most consistent band of the last decade or so. Equally indebted to 50’s surf rock as well as the 80’s white noise assault of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Sune Rose Wanger and Sharin Foo struck a chord with me immediately. I can honestly say – every album, EP, and single offer up multiple rewards. It all starts with the late 2002 release of Attack of the Ghost Riders – a song that the epitomizes The Raveonettes esthetic. Surf styled guitars, harmonized vocals, noisy freakouts – the song has it all. The video is seeped in 50’s noir and was censored by MTV due to its risqué content. The song was the lead single from the Whip It On EP while the single was backed by two very strong b-sides (Go Girl Go and Demons Fire) . It is a great starting point if you aren’t familiar with The Raveonettes – a gateway to one of the strongest discographies, ever.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gQEvupSrRY]