'Revenge' shows post-punk pride

She Wants Revenge, like much of their neo post-punk brethren, do a fantastic job of paying homage to their influences, while writing listener-friendly songs for their own generation. Rarely does a band in this genre make their influences known to the lengths that She Wants Revenge do. \nBand members/DJ's Justin Warfield and Adam "DJ Adam 12" Bravin draw heavily upon Bauhaus's sterile synthesizers and Joy Division's pitch-dark, eccentric mood. \nAlthough She Wants Revenge was formed in 2003, the band's ascent in the music world hit a few snags, competing for a record deal with the likes of Interpol, The Killers and The Bravery. Then in 2005, word of mouth and a substantial influx in Sirius Satellite Radio airplay landed the band a deal with Geffen Records.\nWhile the band's sound features a cool retro style, it invites too many comparisons to other groups like Joy Division and Depeche Mode; She Wants Revenge can never compete with these bands. Consequently, there is a lack of originality which allowed other neo post-punk bands to boldly flirt with sounding like the genre's typical influences. \nThe band spends much of the album churning out one repetitive, angular track after another. To its merit, She Wants Revenge is very danceable and grows almost uncomfortably tense at times, but few songs actually manage to reach a climax. Tracks like "Red Flags and Long Nights" and "Out of Control" never seem to make it off the ground by huddling more closely to a few chords than a garage band learning a Green Day song.\nWith a band and album named She Wants Revenge, one would expect to hear dark and perhaps, somewhat violent lyrics. Following that assumption, one would not be disappointed. Warfield mixes the menacing subject matter with an overly-dramatic choice of words, reminiscent of The Cure. The result is an unintentionally-amusing series of lyrics that has a disturbingly prevalent focus on S&M. \nWhen She Wants Revenge includes a bit of variation and melody in their music, with songs like "Tear You Apart," "Sister" and "Us," the band's unique lyrics complement the music's intense anxiety quite suitably.\nShe Wants Revenge is a sign that the originality this genre needs to survive may be diminishing, but the record is not without its moments of ingenuity. It also points to the potential of two talented DJs who simply need to stake out a bit more of their own territory, wipe away the mascara-tinted tears, and drop the ball gag, if it's not too much trouble.