The Unkindness of Ravens - Accelerator/Yours Forever But Not to Hold
In case you hadn’t got the memo, gothic garage-rock is back. It’s not only back, its also clad in tighter jeans, has longer greasier hair and is as black as black is black. ‘Pioneer of musical trends’ Jack White decided this when he formed the Dead Weather earlier this year and it was confirmed by the rapturous applause that surrounded Soulsavers latest album ‘Broken’ (given extra credence by Mark Lanegan lending his vocals to the project).
The Unkindness of Ravens tap into this scene well, but with programmed electro-beats and a big reach into more pop-dance areas. This double a-side single opens with a dirty beast of a song called ‘Accelerator’, a heaving riff dragging its battered body along Prodigy-esque punching drums. Singer Nina Wagner howls about a fever (much like Alison Mosshart of the aforementioned Dead Weather), and she is complimented perfectly by bassist Ben Raine’s gruff, almost spoken backing vox.
Second track ‘Yours Forever But Not to Hold’ takes a different route. The drums are toned down (think of a more ‘Blue Monday’ sound than ‘Firestarter’) and Wagner explores a range much wider than would be allowed in a heavy faster number. The lyrics are what hold the gothic mood - loss, longing, doubt. All in all a fine display of two extremes that this band are capable of reaching, and with professional results.