The Sounds - Dying to Say This
Rating
RIYL
The SmithsBlondie
Depehce Mode
The Strokes
Tracklist
1. Song With A Mission2. Queen of Apology
3. Tony The Beat
4. 24 Hours
5. Painted By Numbers
6. Night After Night
7. Ego
8. Hurt You
9. Much Too Long
10. Running Out Of Turbo
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When Swedish rockers The Sounds released their first album in 2003 it went relatively unnoticed by everyone in the industry, including listeners, despite sounding heavily commercial, and despite the band being fronted by the most gorgeous woman in the rock since Gwen Stefani. People just didn’t “get it.” Of course it didn’t help that at the time Chevelle was dominating the rock charts, emo was a slit-of-the-wrist away from America’s youth, and Hot Topic was the new punk.
The band worked hard however, played lots of festivals, did some club tours (including one with Rooney – remember/forget those pretty boys?), and even appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman. But they never managed to break through to the big time despite possessing more than enough talent, attitude, and sass.
Now, despite taking three years to make, The Sounds’ new album, Dying to Say This, isn’t too far-removed than their first, Living in America. Singer Maja Ivarsson is still hung up on boys, drummer Fredrik Nilsson still likes to keep his beats simple (in fact, I would lay a healthy bet on him not knowing what a tom-tom is), guitarist Felix Rodriguez hasn’t forgotten the power of the three-chord progression, and keyboardist Jesper Anderberg still thinks he’s in The Smiths. In other words, the band hasn’t grown a smidge. The record, however, is a lot more polished than its predecessor, and songs like “Painted by Numbers,” “24 Hours” and “Much too Long Now” stand out with A+ production. The actual quality of the songs, however is somewhere near, if you will, a C+.
The album opens with “Song with a Mission,” which is so catchy and infectious (the hook is awesome), you swear you’ve been transported back to 1981 and you’re hearing an unreleased Blondie cut (a comparison which is ridiculously overused but eerily accurate). The Blondieism’s don’t stop there: “Tony the Beat,” which features The Sounds’ signature use of repetition in octaves, and “Don’t Want to Hurt You,” sound like they were pulled directly from Eat to the Beat, which, lets be honest, isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Blondie pioneered new wave in the early 1980s and The Sounds are merely carrying the torch. However, by the end of the album you’re left with nothing except an overwhelming interest in knowing how many Debbie Harry and Morrissey posters adorn the band’s practice studio.
If you’ve never heard The Sounds, Dying to Say This isn’t the best introduction to this unique (unique in terms of presently) group. You’re better off searching the Internet for some early demo material, or buying their first record – worth the $10 at Best Buy.
In listening to this album, it’s apparent something in the sound of The Sounds has been lost since their first. But that’s not to say American audiences aren’t interested in dance-rock (a style that is quickly gaining popularity; look towards the new one from Men, Women and Children for proof of this), and that’s certainly not to say American audiences aren’t interested in playing the voyeuristic role by watching Ivarsson get up on stage to watch her shake her ass better than Debbie Harry ever did.
Despite Ivarsson’s beauty, Dying to Say This fails miserably to elaborate on, or even summarize, what this band is truly capable of. The Sounds are a talented bunch, but this album does them no justice.
--Brent S. White
Comments
Minnesota
As for the music, it doesn't sound like something I'd be too interested in.
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Minnesota
Yeah, I figure there are people who don't care. Just like I don't care about what you think about anything. Besides, if not for me commenting on reviews, most of them wouldn't have any comments at all.
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that would be way better than having to hear what you think about every album you have or havent heard. you didnt even listen to this you just left the comment "yeah sounds like id hate it" you taint the reviewers review posting your stupid comments.
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Music = D-
Minnesota
If anything, I'm justifying the review's purpose by showing that by the description it doesn't sound like something I'd be interested in.
Maybe you should try thinking things through before you post.
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im just trying to convey i highly doubt the readers here care if you're interested in something or not. maybe if you didnt post on every review more people would leave their own comments instead of taking your word for it since we all know your tastes suck and virtually have no meaning in what I like or dislike. I did read it, I find it funny whenever someone gets called out they always goto the whole "maybe if you read it and thought things through before you posted." I thought it through and I think you're a douchebag. There's my critique on your critque. Think that through.
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