The Raveonettes - Rarities/B-Sides (Columbia/Vice)

An embarrassment of riches, this limited-edition (500 CDs, all sold out, and 500 gatefold-sleeve 180 gram double Lps, still available here) collection plays not only a great outtakes album, but like one of their best albums period. In fact, it’s arguably BETTER than each of their studio releases except for 2003’s incredible Chain Gang of Love and perhaps their newest one, 2011’s Raven in the Grave. Even at 27 songs, if you’re a fan, you won’t feel bored one bit and this flys by! That’s what happens you’re having fun and when the material is as strong as is. It also doesn’t hurt that most of these songs are range in the two to three minute mark. Seriously, the material from the Whip It On sessions is as strong as most of what made that record and most of the outtakes from the Pretty in Black and Lust Lust Lust sessions are actually BETTER than most of the songs that made those records. I can understand why the songs from the Pretty in Black sessions were left off, though, as they sound more in line with their first few, much more upbeat releases than the downcast, somber record that Pretty in Black turned out to be. In any case, I’m glad that this album was released as now fans can hear these tunes in one place. Act quickly, though!