The Sounds

DYING TO SAY THIS TO YOU | Scratchie/New Line
By MIKAEL WOOD  |  April 10, 2006
3.0 3.0 Stars

SUGAR HIGH: But the Sounds deliver more than empty calories.The lanky fashion plates in this likable Swedish combo like to play up their punk pedigree in publicity photos. But the Sounds are pure pop — as pure as the high-gloss kiddie fluff written and produced by their fellow Swede Max Martin. There’s nothing on Dying To Say This To You , the follow-up to 2003’s Living in America , that reaches the ecstatic heights of “Since U Been Gone,” Martin’s Kelly Clarkson smash. But there are hard, groovy gems such as “Song with a Mission” and “Queen of Apology,” in which sex-bomb frontwoman Maja Ivarsson tunefully sasses some loser while her band mates surround her tough-chick vocals with fuzzy guitars and fuzzier keyboards. Since they can’t afford Martin’s services, hiring producer Jeff Saltzman — the guy who did the Killers’ Hot Fuss — was a good move, too: he gives the Sounds’ sounds the same twinge of unexpected melancholy, which helps the tunes outlast their initial sugar buzz.

The Sounds + Morningwood + Action Action | April 14 | Avalon, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston | 617.228.6000

Related: Chairmen of the boards, Mystery mix, Carolina Liar, More more >
  Topics: CD Reviews , Morningwood, Kelly Clarkson, Max Martin,  More more >
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