Dec 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
The Sounds
Today Pandora told me I might like “Ego” by The Sounds. And I did! Apparently this came out in 2006, but it was the first I’d heard of it. Here’s a video:
My half-formed ability to make aesthetic judgments is telling me that this song has certain qualities that most people actually hate, but that I like.
52 Responses to “The Sounds”
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December 23rd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
This post is what happens to professional bloggers on a slow newsday.
I like the song by the way
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:40 pm
Not a bad song.
If you want to improve on your meager aesthetic intuitions, you should check out this attempt at applying statistics to making songs people will and won’t like.
http://blog.wired.com/music/2008/04/a-scientific-at.html
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
the sounds were actually a very popular band 2004-6. what was the key band in the pandora channel that brought them to you…
ps if you like female vocalists, i have to assume you know/love rilo kiley and jenny lewis (sigh).
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Also, their album cover has a couple sets of not really concealed breasts. (I’ve always wondered if naked or very scantily clad women on album covers hurts or helps sales. I’d guess it’d be more likely to hurt, slightly.)
Anyway, a lot of people like the Sounds. For what it’s worth, I like New New Wave but I don’t care so much for any of the original New Wave. Pandora doesn’t get me.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:48 pm
For just a moment I was amazed that MY was reaching back unto music antiquity, all the way to the mid-80s, but then I listened to the song. The old group was the Sound, anyway, I think.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
The old group was the Sound, anyway, I think.
Good memory! The Sound were pretty good too, as I recall—very anthemic and U2-esque. I recall listening to “In The Hothouse” quite a bit in the spring of ‘86.
December 23rd, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Unmelodic, loud, and dissonant. Just the kind of music I hate.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Thanks for the bitter reminder to your Canadian readers, that Pandora – a wonderful service – is no longer available in Canada…
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I would be really curious what those ‘certain qualities’ are, since it’s not obvious to me what they might be. The deliberately cheesy-sounding snyth stuff at the beginning?
Song’s OK, really, but I know what I don’t like about it: a.) the hacknied diction; why does every rock singer have to enuciate words – especially ‘you’ and ‘more’ – exactly the same, affected way? WHY? Is there a fucking LAW that says that it’s not ‘indy’ or ‘rock’ if you don’t enunciate words the way every other band does? I think there must be one. Further (unneeded) evidence that Rock as a form is as dead as Ragtime. And, 2.) the humorlessness. I guess that’s to be expected in a literalistic, earnest time like this, but it automatically makes the music lesser.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Sounds a lot like the killers.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Oops, no they’re Swedish. Which means they’re not even speaking in their native language.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:16 pm
jonnybutter: They’re British, I think they’re speaking with an accent…
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
They’re Swedes, aren’t they?
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:30 pm
They’re Swedish. That proves rather than disproves my point: everybody, no matter what country they’re from, has to say (especially certain) English words the same, affected way. I think the song sounds OK, but I’m just sick of the pedestrianariatism of it all.
December 23rd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
gotta say, I made it about 14 seconds into that song.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:10 pm
the first 14 seconds are the worst. It’s better after that.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I saw the Sounds at The Nation in DC in 2003 or so when they were opening for, I think, the Strokes. They sounded pretty good, so I downloaded a few of their songs. Sounded a lot like Pat Benatar.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
song was kind of boring. I stopped at 20sec.
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Pandora is God.
And boobs on record covers = His only begotten son. I remember when I was a little kid my parents had a Police record that had a boob on it. It was sweet. How could boobs possibly hurt sales? Who the fuck doesn’t like boobs?
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Oh by the way here are the boobs.
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:02 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70oeD9_R6OU
December 23rd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Wow, The Killers are nice, but who knew they’d be so influential? The song’s ok, but I like the boobs better.
I prefer old new wave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCr-rp0b9B0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_6t1B64Ho
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
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December 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Pandora turned me on to The Sounds last summer. Good times. Ego is ok, but my favorite is Painted By Numbers (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jN41MDONgOA).
December 23rd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I’ve noticed that Matt’s taste skews toward indie rock/pop with female vocals. And that’s cool, because mine does too. Whenever Matt recommends some new song or group, I often find I also like it. More rec’s please, Matt.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Yes, that was a really shitty female version of the Killers. Ok, to be fair, it was a female version of the Killers, who happen to be shitty.
December 24th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Not a bad song.
Still, Matthew, I gotta ask – do you like ANY band/singer that isn’t whiny?
Ever song that I’ve seen you post – with the caveat that there is a lot I’ve missed – is basically whiny college stuff. This song is better than most you post – just barely whiney.
Now – nothing wrong with that, I had that phase – but it just annoys the hell out of me now.
FWIW, I’m actually looking for music that is GOOD pop punk – in this case, stuff like Arctic Monkeys, which are just phenomenal.
Any suggestions?
December 24th, 2008 at 11:37 am
JC
I agree. Also- Matt prefers bands that carry on a certain 1982 sound quality. Not sure – maybe something to do with his infatuation with the era he was born. I was born in 1977, but you do not see me listening to anything from that era except some Floyd or live Grateful Dead albums.
December 24th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Dude you are so missing out. 1977 kills. It even kills 1966, the year I was born.
Wire – Pink Flag
Elvis Costello – My Aim is True
The Clash – Clash
Talking Heads -77
David Bowie – Low, Heroes
Iggy Pop – The Idiot, Lust For Life
Television – Marquee Moon
The Damned – Damned Damned Damned
The Sex Pistols – Never Mind the Bollocks
Brian Eno – Before And After Science
Buzzcocks – Another Music…
Queen – Night at the Opera
Steely Dan – Aja
Ramones – Leave Home, Rocket to Russia
Motorhead – Motorhead
Blondie – Plastic Letters
Stranglers – No More Heroes
ELO – Out of the Blue
Kraftwerk – Trans Europe Express
Peter Gabriel – Peter Gabriel
Great stuff.
December 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I want to say that Stiff Little Fingers released something in 1977 – maybe Suspect Device. Also the Undertones with Teenage Kicks? Of course, 1977 was the sweet spot for the Sex Pistols, who I forget the exact dates, but they were together for at least part of that year. Also The Jam were either writing or releasing All Mod Cons in 1977. Basically, 1977 was the height of everything awesome about first wave punk.
Which is all basically good news for a depression, namely that, like the 1970s, some awesome music might be made. Of course, seeing lots of people foreclosed on is not worth great music. But if you have to look for a silver lining…
December 24th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
After Matt posted Metric (whom I love), I figured I’d trust his judgment in music, and I dig The Sound too. They definitely have a lot in common with Metric. Slow days should always be music blogging days; I’d support that wholeheartedly.
December 24th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
The album cover also features Leigh Lezark of the mishapes (sp?) dj group. Great album top to bottom.
December 24th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
“Still, Matthew, I gotta ask – do you like ANY band/singer that isn’t whiny? Ever song that I’ve seen you post – with the caveat that there is a lot I’ve missed – is basically whiny college stuff.”
Simple – Matt is a whiny ex-college student. Don’t you read this blog?
Meanwhile, more opportunities for Corrs promotion! Thanks, Matt!
The Corrs – Long Night – Borrowed Heaven EPK (Electronic Press Kit)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eS4sKdi9cg
The Corrs – Silver Strand – Borrowed Heaven EPK (Electronic Press Kit)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfbMfM7BqTE&feature=related
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