The Sounds

The Sounds are a Swedish rock group featuring the coed talents of vocalist Maja Ivarsson, keyboardist Jesper Anderberg, bassist Johan Bengtsson, drummer Fredrik Nilsson, and guitarist Felix Rodriguez. The new wave throwbacks -- whose poppy, synthesizer-heavy music is unapologetically indebted to Blondie and Missing Persons -- formed in the late ’90s and recorded Living in America in Stockholm and Nilsson’s Helsingborg apartment. The album hit number four the week after its Swedish release, and was picked up for U.S. release in May 2003 through New Line. Dying to Say This to You followed three years later, featuring a polished blend of anthemic, ’80s-inspired rock and sex-craved new wave that widened the band’s audience abroad. Touring obligations kept the Sounds busy until October 2007, at which time they returned to the studio with producer Mark Saunders (who had recently worked with the Sounds’ touring mates in Shiny Toy Guns). Recording sessions for the band’s third studio effort, Crossing the Rubicon, took place in Sweden, Los Angeles, and New York, and the resulting album was readied for release in June 2009. ~ Andy Kellman & Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide