MUSIC REVIEWS
She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge
David Allun Jones
Yet another band refusing to let go of their love for the 1980’s, Los Angeles duo She Wants Revange are the latest revivalist act, following the blueprint of obvious inspirations like Joy Division, Prince and The Cure with faux British accents and synth-and-guitar-obsessed goth-pop-dance tales of dark introspection and raunchy underworlds. The fact that the band adheres so true to their idols (and similar sounding bands Interpol and The Bravery) that it’s not clear if they’re spoofing or just un-original, makes for a curious, albeit boring, listen.
Consisting of two DJs, one of which had brief stints as a more straight-forward rocker and Prince Paul-approved rapper, She Wants Revenge construct mirror-image takes on classic goth-pop elements that are initially immaculately stunning thanks to the duo’s attention to detail. Sounding as cold and detached as the sharpened, icy synthesizers and fluttery guitars that form the basis for their sound, vampiric crooner Justin Hawkins plays his lead singer role well. He might sound like he lacks a soul but his lyrics prove oh-so otherwise. Fearful of the trouble that love usually brings, Hawkins steers the haunting robo-melodies down the predictable paths of loneliness and self-sacrifice. “Right face/ Wrong time/ She’s Sweet/ But I don’t wanna fall in love”, Hawkins moans as a woman tries her best to convince him to share a life together. Seems the man is much popular with the ladies, though, and everywhere he turns another vixen with one thing on her mind awaits. Be it the seducer on the dance floor ("Out of Control") or the woman who "smells like 2am" and craves for a little loving on the incestuously titled "Sister."
The dark themes maintain a level of appeal over the entire album but SWR’s focus on one particular sound kills the momentum a bit. Every single song sounds like the last with Hawkins singing in the same monotone style, so by the time you get to great songs like instrumental “Disconnect” or the steamy story of two high school students with the hots for each other on “Tear You Apart”, you’re ears have become numb to the band’s tedious approach.
Arriving a little late to the revival trend to truly be effective, She Wants Revenge deserve some props for being so on-point in their dedication to a great era. Unfortunately, it also flashes the red sign for any other band approaching the same angle, that the moody, black eyeliner-affected movement has become ridiculously over-saturated and redundant. Let’s stop being lazy and bring some original ideas back into the rock marketplace.
