The Raveonettes

Finally, The Raveonettes have realized the potential their previous three albums only hinted at—turns out it was just waiting to congeal into Lust Lust Lust. And it's been a long wait. The Danish duo has always been about minimalism and self-imposed restriction; their 2002 EP Whip It On was written entirely in the key of B-flat minor, and its full-length sequel Chain Gang of Love (2003) in B-flat major. While the former was dark, brilliant and a little too short, the latter was too upbeat to be interesting for all of its 13 songs. Likewise, 2005's Pretty in Black suffered for being overly simplistic and downright boring. But, faithful followers, take heart. On LLL, the pair uses synthetic drums and bass for a sound both ultramodern and familiar, throwing out all the rules that didn't work in the past to create their most even-handed album to date. The heavy guitar distortion, emotionally detached vocals and innocent harmonies that make Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo seem all the more ghostly return in all their fuzzy glory. If Nico were thrust into an S&M chat room via an iPhone, it would sound like Lust Lust Lust. Drink up.