Indie new-wave kids across the world fell in love with the Sounds
when the Swedish band released Living in America in 2002. On
Crossing the Rubicon, they prove they still know how to make
indie new-wave sound cool. The album’s opener, “No One Sleeps When I’m
Awake,” starts with a sleepy guitar before rushing into Maja Ivarsson’s
signature staccato voice. As she sings “Listen up, I’ve got confessions
to make/No one sleeps when I’m awake,” it’s clear Crossing the
Rubicon is one of the band’s most forceful collections of songs.
The Sounds keep up the pace with the soul-infused “4 Songs & a
Fight.” Even as the song spirals out of control at the end, Ivarsson’s
voice remains crisp and dominant. “My Lover” sounds like the band
trying to accomplish a number of musical styles in a brisk three
minutes.
Not everything on Crossing the Rubicon works this well.
“Beatbox” mixes African beats and hip-hop vocals, but aims too hard for
the dance floor. “Crossing the Rubicon” feels like an interlude instead
of a title track, bridging the line between artful and creepy —
and leaning dangerously close to the latter. Still, there are plenty of
great moments on the album: “Dorchester Hotel,” for instance, showcases
the band at its best, and “Home Is Where the Heart Is” is a catchy
updated twist on the old adage. Crossing the Rubicon is a strong
showcase for both the Sounds and new wave.
— Brittany Moseley
This article appears in Jun 3-9, 2009.
Up until 2 months ago, this band had somehow had slipped past my knowledge of their existence. However, as things have a way of working out, i found myself at one of their shows (that oddly enough took place 1/2 mile from my flat). And then, that moment hit. Somewhere in between Maja’s prowess as a front woman, being mashed between seasoned Sounds fans shouting lyrics, and walking home hungering to find out and listen to this band as much as i could, I crossed my own rubicon. I was a sounds fan, and more than that, i found myself enjoying music more than i had before. This may seem trivial, but for a geeky athletic scientist who sometimes gets into a music rut, this was 10,000 lbs of pipetters and cell culture lifted from my back, free to enjoy and dance. And, i imagine, this may be what the members of The Sounds felt, in producing this album. Free from constraints, utterly inhibited to produce the music they wanted, to promote and tour….They crossed their rubicon, breaking from their labels and constraints. The first track ‘no one sleeps when i’m awake’ grabs your attention, with jutting vocals and a strong backing, and doesn’t let go as you’re carried above the crowd into ‘4 songs & a fight’. From here, enjoy the ride as the sounds explore a new side to their music (from what i in my green appreciation of the sounds can infer), with rifting guitars to an almost trance like mantra of ‘crossing the rubicon’, a symbol almost of a turning point in their album, as the sounds take to deep lyrical reflections, ending with the soft eerie chords of ‘Goodnight Freddy,’ a swelling lullaby, sounds style of course.
Overall, I’ve listened to this album probably 2 dozen times through, from start to finish. And i’m not bored yet. You may disagree with me. And that’s ok. I’ve found a new note of music that jives with me, and there’s no turning back.
Their album is out now (and online @ ilike if you want to listen first)…..
Finally,
A mostly positive review.
All I can say is…
Absolutely AMAZING CD.
I really hate when reviewers brush the release off,
Saying it’s nothing but “fun dance tracks”.
While that may be true,
Take a look at the lyrics & read alittle deeper into them.
For example – “My Lover”:
Everyone thinks it’s “I know you wanna be my lover”,
When in fact it’s actually “I know you wanna beat my lover”.
Much darker than most people realize.
Read the lyrics in the booklet,
& you will realize that “Crossing The Rubicon” is much deeper than a “party” album.
I don’t think Crossing The Rubicon (track) is creepy at all….its awesome!! Goodnight Freddy is a great instrumental song. I think it was well written. And none of the songs got “outta control” haha so thats cool. Great album and a new sound is always good.
it seems like the review is suggesting it was written too fast “brisk in 3 minutes” but i dont think so, the music is complex and took time. i love the album and listen to it over and over again. cant wait to see them live in august!
I highly disagree with this review the cd is absoultly amazing I am on my 2nd week of listening to it 24/7.I don’t think this record was written to fast because it took The Sounds all of 2008 with a few shows here and there to record it.I can’t wait to see them again in the fall.
Crossing the Rubicon is a GREAT addition to the album. Listen to the lyrics, it.is.awesome. And Beatbox, are you serious? You are about the only person that doesn’t like Beatbox. Everytime my friends and I get together we can dance all night to this song on replay. Crossing the Rubicon is a great album. The Sounds still have their own UNIQUE sound, which is awesome!!
i think the album was great overall. the songs were catchy and fun. every song had its own vibe and i really loved the cover. great ablum that i have bought this year! 🙂
ness
xx
I mostly agree with this review except I think ‘Beatbox’ works just well. Actually I believe this album is pretty much incredible, I’ve been listening to it non stop since June 2nd.
“”Beatbox” mixes African beats and hip-hop vocals, but aims too hard for the dance floor.” WHAT?! i’d dance to it. The Sounds are awesome! this album is awesome! see them live if you ever get the chance, that’s when they’re at their best
i agree with the “artful but creepy” comment… however its a good type of creepy =]
im surprised nothing was mentioned about underground in this article… its a great song with a catchy tune and meaningful lyrics
This is the best review I’ve seen so far! Funny how Brittany doesn’t care too much for Beatbox, because that track seems to be a favorite among almost everyone I ask, including myself.
I love this entire album! I give it 5 stars and/or 10/10.
If you haven’t discovered The Sounds yet, buy all three albums! You won’t be disappointed! The Sounds are truly something unique!!
I love this Cd, another great album from the Sounds.
Maja has one of the most powerful voices out there.
What a terrible review. Mostly because they listed two of my favorite songs as being a downside to the album (“Beatbox” and “Crossing the Rubicon.”
Does this person even like music?
The Sounds’ Third CD, Crossing The Rubicon, is an excellent listen. While it isn’t as raw or raunchy as the debut release “Living in America”, it captures the essence of The Sounds’ and shows just how much the band has come from 2003. I look forward to yet another great album like this one.
This is one of the smartest reviews on this CD out there. The only thing I disagree with is that I do think “Crossing the Rubicon” serves as more of an interlude, dividing the songs between assertive for the first half and melancholy for the second.
Love this album!
I heard The Sound for the first time when I was 13-14 years old… and I like them since that time. The next album was awesome! I still listening to it… it makes me dance! But this new album is the best I’ve ever heard in this year!!! The music is amazing and Maja’s voice is beautiful… so, you have to go to the store and buy it !!!
and you also have to go to a show of them!!! 😀 they’re amaziiing!!!
I love all the songs in this new cd!
I love the sounds, and I want to come to Mexico!
This is one of the best cds you’re going to hear this year. (Beat) My Lover is more than worth $8-$9 you’ll pay if you catch this cd on sale. Beatbox may be a dance track but The Sounds rock it out live like something worthy of Led Zeppelin. Love it! See the Sounds live if you can, preferably in a small club where you can get up close. Play this cd loud, get your neighbors dancing.
Awesome cd
beautiful vocals on awesome instrumentals
I’ve been listening to the sounds since living in america came out and the have been rocking ever since
I agree with most of this review..Crossing the Rubicon is a great album (and track) and is definately worth listening to 😀
The review started good but ended poorly. This record is great!! Every song from “No One Sleeps when I’m awake” to “Home is where the heart is” are awesome. I actually like “beatbox”!!
I have to disagree on Beatbox. This is a highly danceable tune. I can’t help but move when it comes on. I really like the song Crossing the Rubicon and what the lyrics actually mean. Also, I think My Lover works really well. It is one of my favorites. I love this album! I’ve been listening to this in my car nonstop since I received it in the mail.
And, I believe the correct order of lyrics is, “I got confessions to make / listen up! / No one sleeps when I’m awake.” 🙂
This is an amazing album. The Sounds couldn’t have done any better. I haven’t stoped listening to it since it came out!!
I think that this cd is amazing. In the review they say that its trying to hard, but I think that it has lived up to its full potential. I cannot wait to see what The Sounds come up with next.
I really love the Sounds and Crossing the Rubicon. I’ve been a fan since 2005 and have had the privilege of seeing the band perfom twice. The songs sound the same live as they do on record and that is always a great thing! Dorchester Hotel is probably my favorite track on this record.
I can’t begin to explain how awesome this album is! Crossing The Rubicon was definitely worth the wait!!!!! Every track is unique and catchy, and be sure to listen to track number 8! Deff one to listen to at the beach while your relaxing! 🙂 The SOUNDS are truly amazing I can’t wait to see them in concert again! Go see them with No Doubt!!!!!
the Sounds did grow up in the making of this 3rd cd. And it’s very obvious. So I sort of agree with this review but I love “Beatbox” and they need that catchy dance tune. They ARE the Sounds! Dance-pop-newwave-indie. Crossing the Rubicon is great.
I think this is a very good review cause it is one of few that actually writes about the record instead of Majas ability to sex up a crowd.
Even if I don’t agree with it on many points, for example calling CtR for a creepy song when it actually is highly interesting.
Altough I appreciate that someone except me isn’t superexcited about Beatbox.
ok, this album is amazing.
the live shows are amazing
and i recommend this cd to any lover of good music!!
One of my favorite songs on this album is Underground.
“The past is a place that you can never return to.
Even though people say that this is where you belong.
I could easily stay, and never come home.”
Sooo true, I even had someone tell me this before in my life, that the past is a place i can’t go back to, and this song really hits me hard with my past.
I love all of the reviews that “Crossing The Rubicon” is getting!!
I like this review. Sadly, not many reviewers like the album in Sweden where I live, so it is always nice to see a more positive review. I disagree though with your opinions of Beatbox, I think that the joyful sounds make the song a perfect song for the dance floor.
i can’t get enough of this album, i’m absolutely addicted to it! every song is a favorite of mine! truly amazing band, can’t wait to see them on tour!
i think that the review is a little jugmental
i really like the album i think it’s great and that the 3 years it took was worth it
This album is great! It’s something new from these guys and girl. It’s pretty diverse, probably because of the many producers they worked with. Their old albums sound a little more heavy and intense, which were exciting, especially live. This new one is a great CD; catchy and relaxing. They have created some epic melodies. I really can’t wait to hear them play the new songs live…. in VA! My favorite songs from this album would have to be My Lover, Beatbox, 4 Songs and a Fight, Dorchester Hotel, and No One Sleeps When I’m Awake, and Crossing the Rubicon. I don’t know how helpful that list was cuz it’s like half the album but I highly recommend it!
Like Myofusion, I didn’t really know The Sounds. I knew a couple songs and that’s it; probably wouldn’t even be able to recognize them if I saw them but then I went to a show that I almost didn’t go to because I was exhausted that night — fortunately I did go because I discovered my new favorite band. My friend and I were both tired and had decided that after they played “Rock N Roll” we were going home to sleep. But after the first 30 seconds of the first song, I was reeled in and found myself at the front of the stage becoming one of the many enamored teenagers surrounding Maja. Not only is the band worth seeing live for their seamless performances but their lead singer owns the stage. You can’t take your eyes off her, man, woman, straight or gay. She’s a magnet. Sooo as for the album, I think its my favorite of theirs. This is a tough decision though as all of their albums are amazing. It’s not really even a biased opinion either since I’ve only been a fan for about a month and a half but during that time I have scavenged the internet for every shred of information and music and video in existence and have yet to be disappointed.
I love this album just as much as their first two albums…i love all the songs….i really can’t pick a favorite…the review was ok…the album is way better than you think….i love the musical arrangement on crossing the rubicon…its not creepy….i think its really beautiful….
crossing the rubicon is a really good album…i love all the songs….its a fun, upbeat, dancy album and it shows that the sounds are just getting better and better…..
I would have to agree with myofusions comment.The Sounds to had flown under my radar of knowledge. I won tickets off a college radio station, i called in not even knowing who the hell The Sounds were! The night i saw The Sounds I fell in love and have been in love since! I too enjoy music like i have never befor. Crossing The Rubicon is a great albulm and if you don’t own it go get it and cross your own rubicon. Dwn4chaos
I can dance to just about any song from this album. Some may wonder why, especially for the slower songs, but I have had so much respect for this band the last several years that I love just about every song that they put out. Regardless of whether or not you agree, I feel that they have grown so much over the years compared to their previous albums, that you cannot deny why I have this respect for them.
Well, I don’t know if I agree with everything that Brittany is saying, ‘cos I sure think it’s an awesome album, and I can’t find much to complain about!
Im glad this review has positive comments on the CD. I personally think the entire thing is positive! Dorchester Hotel is still my favorite track!
A pretty brief review, but not bad – Crossing the Rubicon (the album) is indeed forceful and catchy, and Ivarsson’s voice truly stands out. I personally did not find Crossing the Rubicon (the track) creepy, nor am I convinced that Dorchester Hotel is “the band at it’s best” (though I know of people who will heatedly disagree there), but overall, a pretty solid review of a very solid album.
This CD is absolutley amazing! My Lover is one of the best songs written and is a song I can never get tired of. This time around The Sounds kept it cool with a bunch of soft rock and killer guitar rifts making it one of their best albums yet!
Another Stunning Interview From The Sounds
Wow
I Cant Believe I Get To See Em In Like 2 1/2 Weeks ^_^