Link: The Sounds home page (in both English and Swedish).
The Inside Pulse: Who says the 80s are dead? Not Swedish band The Sounds, who with their second album, Dying to Say This to You, seem to be channeling the early days of MTV with their New Wave-influenced sounds. Fronted by lead singer Maja Ivarsson, The Sounds hearken back to a simpler time when bands such as Blondie, Human League, and The Go-Gos were dominating FM radio.
Positives: Ivarsson has a fun voice, and the band makes sure to showcase it. With the one-two punch of the album’s opening tracks, “Song With A Mission” and “Queen of Apology”, you know all you need to know about the band: peppy, up-tempo songs clocking in at around the 3-minute mark. It’s damn good synth-and-guitar driven ear candy.
Negatives: If you’re not a fan of the 80s, then The Sounds aren’t going to offer you anything you’d like.
Cross-breed: Blondie and The Go-Gos with Kim Wilde fronting the band.
Reason to buy: Because, every once in a while it’s good to remember that pop isn’t a four-letter word.
