So, once you’ve taken your eyes off the album cover you might care to know what the music sounds like. Well, with a cover like that, it can only disappoint. It’s not helped by the fact that the best track on the album kick starts it. Dying To Say This To You is a fun filled indie-pop album with much in common with The Gossip but with more pop than punk. This has it’s roots firmly placed in the 80’s with plenty of power keyboard chords and a production that’s a touch on the polished side, which unfortunately sounds like there’s no real emotion here. Night After Night should be a real heart bleeder, with it’s delicate piano work and wailed vocals, but it just feels uninvolving, there’s no real depth to the songs.

Things do start with a bang though. Song With A Mission crashes through with a thumping guitar riff that totally rips off the Stones and chunky keyboards, the lyrics all delivered with a great deal of bile and bite. It’s just a shame that nothing else really lives up to this. The other songs all follow a similar formula, twinkling 80’s keyboards over the top of a Stones-esque riff, but it just lacks something. There are tunes here, 24 Hours, is an enjoyable romp sounding like the Sugababes crossed with The Bravery. I know that doesn’t exactly sound appealing, but it’s throw away pop music. However, there’s nothing here to connect with, it’s so polished and produced that you can’t really get into it enough.

Of all the 80’s influenced acts flooding the charts at the moment this is one of the better ones. However, I never really got 80’s music at the time, I found it a little bland and uninvolving. So whilst this renaissance takes place, I’ll be at the back of the disco, trying to look cool whilst listening to something else on my walkman.

Links:
The Sounds [official site] [myspace]