'Love' means having to be on a chain gang

Certainly, it takes only one listen to The Raveonettes to make the connection between the Danish rock duo and '80s alt-rock faves The Jesus and Mary Chain. Upon further examination, they implement guitars so awash in sheer noise that this may as well be the 21st-century version of Phil Spector's wall of sound.\nThey try to nail it home on Chain Gang of Love, their follow-up to last year's masterful mini-album Whip It On. Seemingly influenced by James Dean and Marlon Brando movies as much as anybody's music, the cover portrays singer/guitarist Sune Rose Wagner and bassist/singer Sharin Foo straddling motorcycles in black leather.\nMusically, they push the vibe further. Rudimentary drum parts push echo-laden guitars through a tuneful blender, if not quite as tuneful as Whip It On. Their topic is heartbreak and the dark side of love.\nUnfortunately, the band forgot that the key to an effective wall of sound is good drum clatter. On Chain Gang of Love, the drums are often mixed too low and sound static -- a bad match with the guitars. \nBut when the noise and rhythm meet, like on instant classic "That Great Love Song," the Raveonettes' considerable chops meet their desired reputation.