Customer Reviews

Living in America (Clean)

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Gee, what a fantastic album! I've had this gem for something like two years now and I never get tired of it.
The Sounds may have a strong Blondie influence, but there's also some Depeche Mode around (the keyboards on songs like Rock n' Roll and Mine for Life) and some Ramones and pretty obvious punk stuff.
This is a very uplifting record, and I don't mean it's just happy and danceable, but the lyrics are uplifting too in a very misfit way.
If you love your pop to have some strength to it and a very heavy 80s influence, then think no more and buy this record just because you will be happy to do so.
I've seen them live at the Hard Rock Cafe in Mexico City and they blew me away. Awesome band! And their new material kicks major butt too.

When I was growing up, I was hooked on Blondie. Debbie Harry was hot and brash. She was fun to watch and it was great to hear her sing. Now we've got the Sounds. A Blondie look-alike you might think but you are wrong. This band has got something that is missing from a lot of rock artists these days. They are doing their own thing and not giving a crap about what anyone else thinks. All the songs are loud, fun to listen to, sometimes cheesy and packed with a lethal punk punch. The jewel on this album is Living In America. Lead singer Maja Ivarsson sings "We're not living in America but we're not sorry. We don't care bout the world today, we're not sorry for you". It's smart and packs a great anthem. A lot of the songs are fun and well done. It makes me pine for the 80's so much on this record. And I feel that this could bring about a new movement in music for the next generation. The only gripe some people might have with this record is that a lot of the songs sound the same. I would prefer to give this record 4 1/2 just because of that notion and also "Reggie" seems to be the only song on the record I don't care for. (Ivarsson goes a little overboard on the wailing) But you know what folks, doesn't every rock band these days?

On this disc The Sounds prove themselves to be the greatest of the alternative movement. Every one of these 12 tracks is guaranteened to have you singing and dancing along. Starting with the catchy "Seven days a week," the disc really hits it's explosive stride with "Living in America" an anthem of epic proportions, the fun doesn't stop there, The Sounds keep it up with " Like a Lady","Rock n'Roll", and "Fire" to name a few favorites. The snappy yet creative lyrics are bound to stay with you days later.

I see the resemblance to Blondie that people talk about concerning the band's appearance but it's not that obvious in the music. I'm a Blondie fan and now a Sound's fan. This quickly became one of my favorite albums after the first listen. I'm looking forward for the new album that should be released this fall.

I just found out about The Sounds a little over a month ago. Ended up buying Dying To Say This To You purely on a hunch, hoping it be worth a quarter of what I paid (a mere 10 dollars I might add). To say I was in dire need of some good music was an understatement. I enjoyed Dying... endlessly and figured "why not get Living In America, it's only 8 bucks". Turns out that, too, was a great choice because I enjoy this CD just as much as I do Dying...

About this whole debate as to whether Maja is a competent vocalist or not. My opinion is that yes, she's got a good voice with some interesting lyrics. Sure there are much more talented singers out there but I couldn't imagine this band being fronted by a more charismatic person. Maja really does beg your attention, good or bad.

So the CD starts off on the highest of notes with Seven Days A Week which really feels like a rock song from years past. This song is where you'll decide very quickly if you like Maja or not. The title track, Living In America, is quite possibly the best song featured. With driving guitars (well, driving in The Sounds' case), a memorable chorus, and some nice electronic sounds, if you're looking to get into The Sounds, just listen to this track. Rock'n Roll is a nice slower track where Maja kind of puts her voice on display, a good song to listen to if you're looking to mellow out. Reggie has that 'familiar' feel to it thanks to the chorus, a great track nonetheless. Riot is another terrific song. It's an in-your-face type track with some pretty good lyrics and a great beat.

All in all The Sounds have become one of my favorite bands thanks to they're different-ness. Listen to the radio for a day. I am willing to bet that you won't hear anything like them, but of course I haven't listened to the radio in close to a year, so then again, maybe there is. But nevertheless, The Sounds are nothing short of a great band and I hope they'll be around for a long time to come.

My favorite songs are Seven Days A Week, Living In America, Hit Me!, Rock'n Roll, and Riot. If you're skeptical about this CD, or the band, after reading all the reviews, just listen for yourself. I love The Sounds, but that's not to say that you will. Preferences my friend, preferences.

Why haven't these guys been nominated nor recognized for this album? This album is magnificent, and very very catchy! I can not say that I don't like one song since all of them are great. Starting with their smash hit '7 days a week' and ending with the sophisticated 'S.O.U.N.D.S' which doesn't appear on the track list gives this album a one hell of a ride for peeps who apreciate pop rock/dance/new wave/whatever you call it music.

Did I also mentioned that the singer, Maja Ivarsson, is extremely talented and sexy?

im so dissapointed lately with albums. I buy an album, and I love only about 4 songs out of the 20. this album I had expected the worst, but was pleasantly suprised. Its a fun album, and if you take it for what its worth, you will love it. the lyrics are fun and it makes you want to dance. it has a fun eighties combined with europop vibe, but manages to stay fresh and alternative at the same time. every song is well formed and fun. sometimes you have to just buy an album for the pure" fun" factor of the music. I would highly recommend this one.

So, I saw them perform in Amoeba Records a lil over a month ago. Since that day, I had been dying to buy the album. I finally bought it and it's so good that it is driving me crazy. I find myself while at work singing the songs. And not just 1 of them , all of them. This CD rocks my world. It's perfect to jam to at all times. You could rock out in the morning, on the way to work, on the way home, getting ready to go out, at the club, in the car ride home and while gettin' busy. A must have for any cool kid. Trust.

I am forever stuck in the 80's musically, so what's not to love on this album? It is so much fun to listen to and I'm having a lot of trouble taking it out of my car's CD player lately. So, if you are a fan of fun, dancy, punky 80's music (and bands like Altered Images and Missing Persons)this album is pretty much essential.

Hey, this review is not meant to take anything away from "The Sounds" -- Their "Living in America" disc is fantastic, and truly does harken back to the golden age of female-fronted new wave heaven, 80's style. However, I am a bit mystified as to why this band is getting all the accolades, while another, similar (and at least equally great) female-fronted new wave band, "The Start", seems to be ignored. To me, The Sounds are "Berlin" to The Start's "Missing Persons". I'm telling you, check out The Start, anyone reading this review. The two bands would be a great touring package!