Time To Escape

The Sound - Jeopardy

Ripped from a vinyl album released on Korova Records (KODE 2) in 1980 to high resolution 24-bits of lossless flac audio. I've plugged From The Lion's Mouth a few times here over the years, now seems a good time to consider an appreciation of The Sound's debut Jeopardy. Lyricists of sheer quality were not abundant in the post-punk era and we were lucky to have Adrian Borland, who in the shadow of Ian Curtis became the voice of inner fury and malaise. Jeopardy was only the beginning of the story, it was the follow-up From The Lion's Mouth which fully revealed Borland's troubles, from which he was eventually to escape himself in 1999.

A1 I Can't Escape Myself
A2 Heartland
A3 Hour Of Need
A4 Words Fail Me
A5 Missiles
B1 Heyday
B2 Jeopardy
B3 Night Versus Day
B4 Resistance
B5 Unwritten Law
B6 Desire

Rubbed Down

Second Layer - World Of Rubber

Those who are unfamiliar with Adrian Borland's prolific discography fear not, World Of Rubber is not an album for fetish lovers, though many will understand the double meaning, few will know what Second Layer were about, the title seems apt. It is clear that Borland and Green wanted to exercise their dark experimental and minimalist chops, and boy, didn't they do it well. Although released in 1981, most tracks have a late seventies heritage, so these boys were dabbling in areas where very few others had tread. Its timing puts World Of Rubber somewhere between Unknown Pleasures and Red Mecca. Work out where that is and you will know exactly what to expect, then you will find much to like in this record. Again, I have used the CD for this post, so the extra unreleased track Skylon is included. 

Originally released on Cherry Red Records (BRED 14) in 1981, ripped here in high quality lossless flac audio.

01. Definition Of Honour
02. In Bits
03. Fixation
04. Save Our Souls
05. Distortion
06. Underneath The Gloss
07. Zero
08. Japanese Headset
09. Black Flowers

New Dark Ages

The Sound - From The Lions Mouth

About time some of you may say. As I am in the mood to resurrect old posts (and it is a cold and wet day outside ESWA towers), here's what I described back then as my second favourite album from 1981. By coincidence, From The Lions Mouth was the second album by The Sound and in my opinion their best by miles. It baffles me why it is still deleted and why Warners have never reissued it anywhere, leaving it to languish in their archives for over thirty years. There have been just a few grey market CD versions over the years. Adrian Borland never received the accolades he deserved for his songwriting ability, his lyrics were filled with anger, anxiety and pain, yet there was a beauty in them which the remaining members managed to wrap up in melancholic melodies. Silent Air is one of the best sad songs ever written, the powerful Winning is really a tale of desperation, suicidal thoughts and conquering depression. These issues are again echoed on a version of the single, Sense Of Purpose. It is clear to us all where Borland's mind was back in the early eighties. Next, the pounding Skeletons is followed by the synth washed Judgement, and the bunnymen'esque The Fire (who were label mates). New Dark Age heralds a move from new wave to goth wave. The vibrant Hot House single is a hidden extra track on this cd.

Ripped from a compact disc of an album first released on Korova Records (KODE 5) in 1981 to high quality lossless flac audio.

01. Winning
02. Sense Of Purpose
03. Contact The Fact
04. Skeletons
05. Judgement
06. Fatal Flaw
07. Possession
08. The Fire
09. Silent Air
10. New Dark Age
11. Hot House

The Sound - From The Lion's Mouth

I could go on for hours about crap bands from the 90s who ripped off great bands from the 80s and now, crap bands from the 00s who rip off crap bands from the 90s who ripped off great bands from the 80s. Lost you yet? Two more things to consider, White Lies played The O2 Arena last week(!) and you have to pay over £75 on Amazon for a 2001 CD reissue of this long lost 1981 album. Is my irony too scathing for you or perhaps even, lost on you?

History says that The Sound had their chance, I disagree. From The Lion's Mouth is their finest and my second favourite album of 1981.

Most will never have heard this album, and likely will never get the chance to, think yourselves lucky!

Released on Korova Records (KODE 5) in 1981

1. Winning

2. Sense Of Purpose

3. Contact The Fact

4. Skeletons

5. Judgement

6. Fatal Flaw

7. Possession

8. The Fire

9. Silent Air

10.New Dark Age

Link removed for potential lossless re-rip