Archived: Mar 08, 2006

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Dance or cry

She Wants Revenge: dark instead of depressing, catchy without being poppy

By Samantha Radle

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It is about self-reflection and time spent alone, off the dance floor — when everyone has gone home with someone else.

Though She Wants Revenge’s name and the Myspace.com plug in their liner notes may initially conjure up images of just another MTV-ready pop band, it should be said that one must not judge a book by its cover — or a band by its name.

The band’s obvious influences include post-punk and ’80s Goth rock, but She Wants Revenge still manages to sound unique. The deadpan vocals and primitive beats channel classic Joy Division, while the crystal clear chords and snaky bass lines are very Interpol-esque.

Add in a pinch of The Faint’s dance-worthiness and provocative lyrics and that is She Wants Revenge.

The duo, Justin Warfield and Adam Bravin, are former DJs and have roots in the West Coast club scene. Strangely enough, Warfield actually has a rap album somewhere out there under a different name, but has successfully made a smooth transition to the trendy dance rock genre.

The singer drones on apathetically about lost love, lust and pain while subtle synths mix flawlessly with lucid guitar and catchy (but not poppy) refrains.

The self-titled album opens with “Red Flags and Long Nights,” a slightly sinister sounding number about an imminent breakup. “She’s pretty and I like her but she’s too well, ‘cause I need red flags and long nights and she can tell,” drones the singer in an almost-bored voice.

The track denounces the band’s vain, self-destructive tone that ultimately contributes to the catchiness of their music.

Taking a break from dance beats and dark lyrics, “Disconnect” is the album’s sole instrumental track. Its fragile and affecting sound makes it one of the strongest on the album. The song’s dreamy air lives up to its title. It is about self-reflection and time spent alone, off the dance floor — when everyone has gone home with someone else.

Though at times a bit awkward and predictable, the lyrics are dark without being depressing, and the more upbeat songs give an uncontrollable urge to dance.

The album is consistent yet not repetitive and is a perfect soundtrack for walking to class on a cloudy day or a midnight dance party.

Other track highlights include the elegant “Someone Must Get Hurt” and the dancey “Monologue.”

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She Wants Revenge

The Rave
2401 W. Wisconsin Ave.
April 20
$12
342-7283
shewantsrevenge.com

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