The Sounds ride new wave into Vancouver

By Jacon Zinn
contributor 

The Sounds will be making good use of the Commodore Ballroom’s dancefloor when they come back to Vancouver.

The Swedish indie five-piece is currently touring North America on their self-produced fourth studio album, Something to Die For, and their final stop is Rain City. Their post-punk revival rock is set to shake Granville Street on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

It’s hard to sum up, but they sound like a 2000s version of Blondie.

They were last on our Canadian soil in October 2009 for their previous album, Crossing the Rubicon, following a tour with female-fronted acts No Doubt and Paramore.

Now they’re headlining 7,000 kilometres from home, filling venues nationwide.

Frontwoman Maja Ivarsson will surely bring it onstage, giving off an aura of spunk and Debbie Harry’s attitude. Her sexy, European accent and vocal bravado are just some of the key elements that define the Sounds’ new wave synthpunk style.

They are bound to play the singles “Dance with the Devil”, “Better Off Dead” and the album’s title track, as well as such older hits as “Painted by Numbers” and “Beatbox”. They might even pull out “Living in America” off their 2002 debut record.

So brace yourself for distorted guitars, electronica keyboards, sampled sound effects and bass beats. But the best way to prepare and understand their amalgamation of genres is to have a listen (and you’ll probably like what you hear).

The Sounds return to the Commodore Ballroom on November 22 with special guests Natalia Kills, The Limousines and Kids At The Bar. Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster for $31.75.