Pharmacy of Love

iTunes Review

It’s amazing to consider that Bettie Serveert have been releasing records since 1992 (with a few stops and re-starts). The Amsterdam group’s guitar-based indie-rock pop always delivered a skewered pleasure, full of dissonant tension while it veered towards the irrepressible chorus. On 2010’s Pharmacy of Love, the band’s eighth studio album (they also recorded a live album of Velvet Underground covers), they come out firing in peak form. “Deny All” bursts with all the enthusiasm singer Carol van Dijk can muster while guitarist and songwriter Peter Visser crafts layer after layer of crisp guitar to help maul the competition. “Semaphore” continues the attack, thick with vocal tricks and guitar flip-outs. The group is solid throughout, turning all it touches into a deliberately murky gold. The highlights are in the consistency. Each track unveils a virile rock aggression and an ear for pop confections. “Love Lee” is bright where “Mossie” is dark. “The Pharmacy” bristles with a new-wave push. The group’s always known how to work it and they’re delivering as if time never elapsed since their debut album, Palomine.