The Sound(s) of a Guilty Pleasure

The Sounds are Swedish. And like another Swedish band, the Sounds have the uncanny ability to write hypnotic pop-tunes while at the same time being completely devoid of almost all talent. The only thing keeping the Sounds from sucking as bad as ABBA is a little guitar crunch. It’s amazing how far you can get with a good hook and a dance beat.

It’s also amazing how much things will change by removing a simple letter. The Sound are British and have been described as the missing link between Joy Division and Echo and the Bunnymen. The Sound appeared on the scene shortly before the death of Ian Curtis and put out six albums between 1980 and 1987. But, being a day late and a dollar short, the Sound never met much success. Plus, their lead singer Adrian Borland didn’t off himself until 1999. Accordingly, the Sound’s early records, Jeopardy and From the Lions Mouth, were then remastered and reissued resulting in the reevaluation of the Sound, finally garnering them some critical acclaim. So next time you get into an argument about the best post-punk, Joy Division rip off band, you can name-drop the Sound like a true music snob.

Website: The Sounds

Order Online: the Sounds and the Sound.

Stuff to Sample: From the Sounds’ Dying to Say This to You “Song with a Mission” and from the Sound’s From the Lion’s Mouth “Hothouse” and from Jeopardy “Jeopardy”

Notes: OK, I don't mean to be cold-hearted but Adrian Borland totally messed up the Pursuit of Cool by waiting 12 years after the last Sound album to commit suicide. And did y’all notice the wicked “re” alliteration a couple of paragraphs up? Stupid things make me happy.