Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part of our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased tracks, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s selection, featured on The Morning Show with John Richards, is “Forget That You’re Young” by The Raveonettes from their 2011 release, Raven in the Grave, on Vice Records.
The influence on The Raveonettes from 50s and 60s rock such as the Everly Brothers is clear, and in their sound are equal parts of noise and surf rock, not unlike The Jesus and Mary Chain. In essence, they mash pieces together into a complex batch of noise and pop, and with a cult following growing since their debut, Whip It On, they themselves have become the catalyst for younger bands such as The Drums, Dum Dum Girls, and Best Coast.
The Danish duo, Sune Rose Wagner and Sharin Foo, met in Copenhagen and soon after recorded their first EP in 2002. Although they picked up band members along the way, the latest album returns the original two, with Wagner on guitar, instruments, vocals, and Foo on bass, guitar, and vocals. On Raven in the Grave, the iconic surf drumbeat is quieted as compared to former albums, and the album ventures into darker sounds and newer territory.
However, an ethereal pop mood holds steadfast on today’s Song of the Day, “Forget That You’re Young, ” which is free of the band’s characteristic feedback and fuzz -- the clarity is refreshing. The bass intro kindly eases you into the song as Sharin’s crisp vocals enter the fold. A few lines later, Wagner joins in with his the featherweight vocals, and the song moves weightlessly with the simple rapport of bass line and melodic synth. The lyrics are sweet, yet conflicted. Much like the album’s approach at darker themes, in this song a subtle back and forth is apparent between the emotions and the brain, between forgetting and letting emotions take hold:
and i hurt you, and i forget
and i scare you, and i forget that you’r e young
and i leave you , and i know that you’re so young
and i miss you and i know that you’re so young
The Raveonettes will be extensively touring throughout the US and Europe in the coming months. They’ll be playing in Seattle at Neumos on May 13. To find other dates, head over to their website. For now, check out this video for “Recharge and Revolt,” another great track off the album:
One Comment
Nice Song and Clip. is there podcast URL ?