The Sounds - Dying to Say This to You

The Sounds
Dying to Say This to You
Scratchie Records/New Line Records
Grade: A-/A

Absurdly fucking gorgeous fun! Such might be one of the statements you could make concerning the brilliant second record from Sweden’s the Sounds. Dying to Say This to You bitch slaps the band’s debut and ushers in possibly one of the hottest bands in the world to unconscionable levels of joy. Behold.

A first exposure to the Sounds came, perhaps appropriately enough, in the back of a VW bug at excessive volume racing through New York a few years back. The Sounds’ 2002 debut Living in America rocked your mind – the type where you get a confused look like ‘what just happened.’ The five-piece set out after its release to conquer American audiences with over 300 shows and an array of late night talk show appearances. With that exposure in the bag, the question inevitably led to what can they offer next? Apparently pop genius.

With the production assistance of Jeff Saltzman, James Iha, and Adam Schlesinger, the Sounds punch a ten-song record full with a near perfect blend of electronic punk and pop. With Maja Ivarsson leading the way on vocals and backed by Jesper Anderberg (keyboards), Johan Bengtsson (bass), Fredrik Nilsson (drums), and Felix Rodriguez (guitar), Dying to Say This to You is like the Faint collided with recent Madonna and only enchantment was left over.

Dying to Say This to You kicks off on “Song With a Mission” that sets the stage, but honestly is a mere side offering in the way of the magic that is ready to burst through the seams. With the chorus only holding you together on “Song With a Mission,” “Queen of Apology” provides the first ‘hit’ (of which there are many) of the record as it pulsates on both the verse and chorus. ‘Pulsates’ is the operational word as when Ivarsson’s vocals or Anderberg’s synths aren’t rocking you, you can find dance solace on Bengtsson’s thumping bass – one of the few times when the bass takes songs above and beyond. “Tony the Beat” starts off rather lamely and you are tempted to skip right on past, but wait…for the chorus kicks you in the nuts and takes the song in a totally different direction. The synth-filled love fest on the chorus could easily be one of the sweetest bits of recorded seconds in awhile; naturally another hit. The Sounds unleash more rock on “24 Hours” and it pays off in spades as there is little not to like across any part of this potential single. The synths on the chorus may remind you of the 80s movie Labyrinth, but in the right context why the hell not. “Painted Numbers” is straight-up new wave dance party, while “Night After Night” slows the pace as Ivarsson sings along to a slow piano – on the LP there is another version of “Night After Night” with the full band at a rock pace and is in all a better offering. To bring you off the one bit of mellow, the Sounds crush you on “Ego” with the opening lines of ‘I’ve been dying to say this to you/but I don’t know what else to do/because I’ve seen your fucking attitude.’ Hey, that’s not radio-friendly! As if it matters. “Don’t Want to Hurt You” is very electro-chic and on the instrumental intro sounds like many a Peaches’ song. This is also the only song on Dying that features one of the gentlemen on lead vocal duties. “Much Too Long Now” holds the uptempo, electro punk fort down with another excellent chorus, while “Running Out Of Turbo” closes the affair as ok but pales in comparison to the other set.

If you have proclivity to dance punk, electro party new wave heaven then Dying to Say This to You should be on your shelf the day after yesterday (today). The Sounds are currently rocking a U.S. tour, so do yourself and engage in some Swedish dance delight.