release date: Dec. 1987
format: vinyl (BiaS 53) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: The Sound & Nick Robbins
label: Play It Again Sam - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: A) 1. "Acceleration Group" (4 / 5) - 2. "Hand of Love" - 3. "Barria Alta" - 4. "Kinetic" (4 / 5) - 5. "Iron Years" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Prove Me Wrong" (4 / 5) - 2. "Shut Up and Shut Down" (4 / 5) - 3. "Web of Wicked Ways" (4 / 5) - 4. "I Give You Pain" - 5. "You've Got a Way" (4 / 5)
5th and final studio album release by The Sound released on Belgian label Play It Again Sam (PIAS). After this, the band split and primary musical composer Adrian Borland shortly after continued as a solo artist. I really enjoy(ed) this album. I know that some critics suggest this is a minor work, although, not all agree. It seems like fans were split when this came out. Some wanted The Sound to return to their initial stage, being a genuine post-punk band rooted in punk rock and others found it an exiting progression. I for one hold it dearly.
"Acceleration Group" is a nice energetic The Sound track, and then it has one of those brilliant guitar solos by Adrian Borland that just makes the blood run with electricity.
"Hand of Love" has lots of horns, and I love them. Initially, back then, I thought horns was too... corny, too polished, and not The Sound as I had come to know them. This is much more an Adrian Borland solo track when thinking of his material after the disbandment, and the track could easily have been fitted on one of his solo albums.
"Barria Alta" is a fine progressive track centred around Adrian's fragile and here: talking voice. I also like the way his guitar complements his voice, and although, it's not the best track of the album it's not bad at all.
"Kinetic" was one of my favourite tracks from the album then, and it's still a strong lightning angry burst of energy - and as usual with The Sound / Adrian Borland: the opposite feel in the chorus as when the sun comes out after the thunder, a step to pause the electricity, and... air. Love it.
"Iron Years" is another track that more than suggests that Adrian is in control. It also reflects the darkness within, and that he struggles with life. Again, beautifully orchestrated with horns and Adrian's sharp and fragile guitar, adding its "vocal".
"Prove Me Wrong" is more like a classic The Sound track from one of their first albums. Drums, bass, guitar, and vocals are the bricks, and white energy is the fine result.
"Shut Up and Shut Down" is a different kind of song. It's very dark and sinister. It's progressive, and it has a wonderful build up to a fantastic guitar chorus culminating in "I feel like a summer thuuuundér!". In the verses, the bass plays around and makes a fine backbone. The last "Thundeeeer!" explodes in energy. "It's gonna break. BREAK!!" Wonderful.
"Web of Wicked Ways" is the beautiful but dis-illusionist track, perhaps about... living life with too many secrets. Although you really have good intentions and just strife for the good, skeletons pile up in your closet. It's like a curse and things keep turning out as a mess. I have no experience with this but I understand that maybe that's Adrian's "Web of Wicked Ways". It's a great track from the hands of Adrian Borland, and I've always loved it.
"I Give You Pain" is again on the progressive side, and as it often happens with Adrian, it's a song with lots of personal suffering. Pain. Today it makes me think of The Doors and their track "The End". It's not a copy but it could be inspired by that. It starts nice and fine, at first almost making no sound, and in the end, it's almost just noise.
"You've Got a Way" is a majestic way to end not only the album but also The Sound. The song is both sad and uplifting, and when Adrian's voice leaves, his guitar continues and ends the song brilliantly.
For me, this is just as colourful and poignant as any other album by this original British band, and therefore find it essential and highly recommended.
[ collectors' item ]
[ collectors' item ]
