June 1
“Crossing the Rubicon,†the latest offering from Swedish synth-pop quintet The Sounds, borrows its name from a phrase meaning “to pass a point of no return.” Historically, it refers to the act of war Julius Caesar committed by crossing the Rubicon River in Northern Italy in 49 B.C.
So it would be perfectly understandable to wonder if the band is exploring new sonic territory on their latest offering, which hits shelves June 2. What’s ironic, though, given this context, is that the strongest moments on “Crossing the Rubicon” — and there are many — emerge when the band sticks to the winning formula it honed on 2006’s “Dying to Say This to You†— danceable guitar riffs and synthesizers on top of upbeat rhythms.
“Crossing the Rubicon†starts on a high note, with the infectious, guitar-heavy first single “No One Sleeps When I’m Awake,†and continues with a handful of equally catchy tunes, including the New Wave-y “4 Songs and a Fight†and delightfully bizarre Blondie homage “Beatbox.â€
Unfortunately though, the 12-song offering loses some of its steam in its final third, with the later songs failing to reach the extremely high bar set by the first ones. The title track, which sounds like gothic monks singing over an excerpt from a dramatic movie score, marks the middle point, and its placement is jarring to say the least — especially since it’s book-ended by the accessible “Midnight Sun†and “Underground.â€
Original Signal Recordings
June 2, 2009
The Sounds will spend much of the summer on the road, having landed the opening slot on several dates of No Doubt’s reunion tour. Like the headliner, they are anchored by a powerful frontwoman — sassy singer Maja Ivarsson, whose vocals range from pained to empowered — backed by male supporting musicians who tend to stay in the background.
Their position on the No Doubt tour, combined with the band’s decision to stream “Crossing the Rubicon†in its entirety nearly a week before its official release date, indicate the band is trying to expand its American fanbase. Their radio-friendly pop is likely to win over some early-arriving audience members.
Elizabeth Raftery is the managing editor of Blast. Follow her on Twitter.
I really love their third Album and it’s diffrent, but as good as the two albums before.
You should listen to it carefully and you will recognize that all songs are amazing-not only the first parts.
CHECK OUT:
http://www.myspace.com/thesounds
The article started off good. This record by The Sounds is great. I agree that the first half of the record is stronger but that doesn’t mean the other half is bad. There’s not a bad song on the whole record!! A must own record!
I really enjoy Crossing The Rubicon! Every song rocks and I can’t stop listening to it!
Even if it’s all excellent, my favorite tracks are : My Lover, Beatbox, Underground, Midnight Sun and Lost In Love (tough to choose only 5)
I love The Sounds and “Crossing the Rubicon” is amazing, I love it but I have to agree that it loses some of its steam in its final third, but eyyy its way better than most of the cd out there
This is a good review but I think that all of the songs are great on this album, not just the first part of it. My favorite has to be “Beatbox.” It definitely reminds me of Blondie’s “Rapture” but totally different. I love this album just as much as the first two
This is a freaking awesome album!! A good review, I do disagree about the last 3rd of the album, the entire album is great!!
I love this CD. I just found out about The Sounds when I heard their song “Dorchester Hotel”. I then heard “No One Sleeps When I’m Awake” and really fell in love with this band. They have such a great sound that is addicting. The volume can never be high enough for most of these songs especially “Dorchester Hotel” and “NOSWIA”. I also thought it was cool to find out that the lead singer was also involved with the “Snakes On A Plane” video. She did such a great job on that video. This band is young, talented and will def be around for a long while.
Once again The Sounds have successfully made another amazing CD! I absolutely love listening to their new tracks over and over again! My track on their CD is “No one sleeps while I’m awake”. They are a really awesome and have the greatest respect for their fans! I thank them so much for signing their new CD for me!
Crossing The Rubicon makes me want to boogie woogie on the dance floor wearing pink and gold spandex with Elton John. It’s fantastic!
This is such a good Album as are the other two. I haven’t been able to buy it but I have listened to the songs and I really like them.
The Sounds are amazing. They sound as good live as they do on there cd’s. “Crossing the Rubicon” is there newest cd and its a perfect addition to their discography.
I love all three albums. Crossing The Rubicon is different than the other two, but it has its own unique feel to it. I love all of the songs on the album. They are amazing performers, and all of there music is the best I have ever heard. They are an amazing Swedish band!!
I really like this album! The Sounds has really upbeat and unique music. All of there cds are good. You should go get them.
i think the new album is amazing =]
my fav song at the moment would probably have to be “dorchester hotel” or “underground,” but it changes every day or so since the album has so much to offer
excellent review! i have a lot of love for this band and am glad to see them doing something different. i feel that beatbox is a fresh idea for them and it’s definitely working. i can easily dance along with this record, it’s a fun listen!
Great review! I love The Sounds and their new album is simply amazing. I wish they’d come to Australia, but knowing my luck they won’t.
Good review. The album definitely shifts gears with/after the Rubicon track, but not in a bad way. Midnight Sun is a great song. My Lover alone is worth the purchcase price. And Beatbox rocks — it sounds even better live.
good review,the album really is great and so is the album,even if it has its flaws. The Sounds is a band that also gives so much more live and brings out new things from every song when they are on a stage so it doesnt matter so much if the songs are a bit slow on record, live,where the sounds belong,they will be fantastic.
good review,the band really is great and so is the album,even if it has its flaws. The Sounds is a band that also gives so much more live and brings out new things from every song when they are on a stage so it doesnt matter so much if the songs are a bit slow on record, live,where the sounds belong,they will be fantastic.
I really hope their American fanbase grows after they joined the No Doubt tour. They are one of my favorite bands to listen to and to see live. They are super energetic and fun on stage. I love love love their new album. The new melodies they’ve made are awesome. “My Lover and Beatbox” rock!
XOXO
Fan from Virginia, USA
Great new, original album from The Sounds! Awesome live band, I’m blown away. This CD shows every side to the band. “Beatbox” has to be my favorite!
The final thrid are just slower songs and that doesn’t mean they’re bad because of that. As I’m listening to a song I’ll think that this is the best song, then I’ll get to the next song and think the same thing and this happens for all the songs. Just to show all the songs are best! I was soo excited when i heard they were going on tour with No Doubt but when I checked the tour dates they would be on, they weren’t coming to my city
that was when they were going back to europe for some festivals. But hopefully they’ll come soon!
I don’t agree with the last part of the album going downhill but an opinion’s an opinion. I do think this album will give The Sounds the recognition they’ve been deserving. It is an excellent album and probably my favorite of the three. =)
good review. except for the last part. i believe it was good throughout & and the so called “bad” songs of the album, midnight sun happens to be my favorite!
You’re a fucking idiot. Stop reviewing albums, please.