The Raveonettes
“In And Out of Control”
3.5 stars out of 5

Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, also known as the Raveonettes, have been considered Copenhagen’s most promising export since one of their debut performances at the New York City music club CBGB landed them a deal with Columbia records.

Since then, they’ve done their fair share of label-hopping, going from Columbia to Fierce Panda and finally ending up on the magazine Vice’s label last year.
Following their last minimalist album “Lust Lust Lust,” “In and Out of Control” straddles the line between ’50s melodies and post punk noise.

The low-key tonality of “Last Dance” shows a quieter, more romantic side of the pair, while the hypnotizing riffs on songs like “D.R.U.G.S” or “Heart of Stone” will bring listeners back to their initial comparisons to The Jesus & Mary Chain. The Danish duo tackles every topic from rape to drugs, and suicide to breaking up.
Foo’s harmonic vocals help to flesh out their sound and give everything a more accessible feel.

Key Tracks: “Last Dance,” “Heart of Stone,” “Breaking Into Cars”
-Melissa Virzi
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Kid Cudi
“Man on the Moon: The End of Day”
3 stars out of 5

Kanye West’s influence on Kid Cudi, a Cleveland rapper who would hit it big with the single “Day ‘n’ Nite” six months after being featured on Kanye’s “Welcome to Heartbreak” as a complete unknown, is evident in “Man on the Moon.”

On his debut record, Cudi introduces himself as rap’s new “spaceman.” While Kanye only based a tour around the idea of being a hip-hop astronaut, the concept has now been taken to the album level. From blast off to return home, the whole tale is narrated by Common, with indie artists MGMT and Ratatat making unexpected cameos along the way.
Backed by modest beats and murky synthesizer, Cudi’s opening statement is dusky and subdued, laced with self-examination and paranoia.

“Day ‘n’ Nite” fits in wonderfully at track seven, while fellow single “Make Her Say (Poke Her Face)” sounds awkwardly out of place.

Aside from the album’s overreaching concept, “Man on the Moon” is a successful unveiling of Kid Cudi that straddles the territory between alternative and mainstream hip-hop.

Key Tracks: “Day ‘n’ Nite,” “Soundtrack 2 My Life”
-Chris Payne