The Sound (post-punk band)

[angelsighs]

I think I've mentioned this band on the board before. there's a boxset coming out of their first 3 albums with lots of extras (apparently another box to follow for the second half of their career). this stuff has been very hard to get hold of previously. much of it was reissued by a label called Renascent about 10 years ago or more (who also reissued albums by other bands from the era like Comsat Angels and Wild Swans), and then the first two studio albums finally reemerged a couple of years back on another label.

http://www.brittleheaven.com/index.php? ... cd/35.html

there is also a documentary in the works about frontman Adrian Borland. he suffered from mental illness and sadly killed himself by walking in front of a train.

I don't know why the band weren't bigger. their songs were certainly strong enough. maybe the rather bland and naff band name had something to do with it. maybe there was just too many good bands around at the time and they slipped through the cracks.

I've said what I've said before- I would urge anyone who is into the urgent, rocky side of post-punk (Joy Division, the Bunnymen, The Chameleons) to check them out. they were perhaps not as original as a lot of the bands from that era (no Pil-esque merging of genres, they were just a rock band really), but they were so tight and intense, particularly on the live recordings and the BBC Sessions which are often incredible. there are some synths but they are not dated too much, and they even used sax quite well (think of one blaring out over roaring guitars rather than 80's cheesiness). but mostly it's just about the tight, spiky guitars and drums interlocking, and Borland's very emotional and earnest singing which deals with a lot of the paranoia and angst that seemed to be around at the time.

any other fans here? has anybody even checked out Borland's first band The Outsiders (who I believe or more straightforward punk) or his solo stuff?

[burningwheel]

Great band! Box set sounds tasty!

[angelsighs]

yep it certainly does look tasty! I have much of it already, but I think I will jump on it anyway for all the extra tracks. also the fact that The Sound stuff does not tend to stay in print for long!

[toomilk]

Jeopardy is an incredible record. Definitely want this box set.

[angelsighs]

here's some of my favourite Sound songs.. mainly live versions because they were so awesome live. I urge people to check these out.

I Can't Escape Myself (BBC Sessions)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8DE628vQaU

Missiles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zBGJ62eO5M

Total Recall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEtWx0WTeQs

Where The Love Is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cDRLBWQ7ks

[Chris Barrus]

Good to see some other fans here. Jeopardy and From The Lion's Mouth are absolutely essential.

Looking forward to the box set, but I've got all the Renascent releases.

[angelsighs]

the next boxset is on the way, covering the second half of the band's career

http://www.brittleheaven.com/merchandis ... et/35.html

[mh]

I love this band. Heads and Hearts is The One, fucking awesome.

[angelsighs]

I always thought early The Sound was better, but then looking at the live gigs I've got, some of my favourite songs (Golden Soldiers, Total Recall, Love Is Not A Ghost) come from these albums.