It all starts with a cowbell, so at least you know it’s not going to suck. This is important because, at times, the Sounds’ 2003 debut, Living in America felt like a third-generation copy of Blondie’s Eat to the Beat and a third-generation of anything usually sucks. But this follow-up shows improvement all around. Singer Maja Ivarsson is starting to find her own voice and the group’s melodies now owe less to playground chants than actual verses and choruses. Meanwhile producer Jeff Saltzman, the man behind the Killers’ blockbuster Hot Fuss, has given the band’s, er, sound some much needed low end. You could accuse them of still sounding a bit contrived (just one word describes the track “Ego”–yikes!) but with thrilling New Wave throwbacks such as “Tony the Beat” and “Running Out of Turbo” pumping on the stereo you might be having too much fun to bother. –Aidin Vaziri

Atists:  The Sounds
Audio CD:  Enhanced
Company: Scratchie / New Line Records  (2006-03-21)
List Price: $11.98
Amazon Price: $6.24
Used Price: $6.00

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