by Adam McGrath
(photo by Adam McGrath)
The Sounds live show begins and ends with lead singer Maja Ivarsson, plain and simple. The fiery rocker commands the stage from first note to last, spitting, smoking, and hiking up her skirt as she belts out hit after hit. There’s no doubt that bandmates Felix, Johan, Jesper, and Fredrik are extremely talented, but all eyes were on Maja as she whipped up the crowd Tuesday night at Union Transfer.
It’s obvious that The Sounds have done this rock show thing a time or two, and their set was crafted to build to a rousing crescendo while giving due attention to each of their five albums. New tracks “Emperor” and “Shake Shake Shake” made early appearances, and later-era songs “Something to Die For” and “No One Sleeps When I’m Awake” were performed with ease, but it was sophomore album. Dying to Say This to You, that received preferential treatment, much to the audience’s delight.
Things slowed down a bit with the acoustic opening to “Weekend,” the title track of The Sounds’ most recent album, released in 2013. The song starts laid back, but builds nicely with a message to which any working stiff or youthful partygoer can relate.
It seemed the Philly crowd was a little tame for Maja’s liking, as she cajoled and practically begged the room to show some love. Prodding would soon become unnecessary, though, as the set climaxed with a fantastic four-song power trip. The Sounds blistered through the best of new and old with “Take It The Wrong Way,” “Living in America,” “Outlaw,” and “Ego.” It was a thrilling way to bring down the house before a quick break.
The encore smartly kept focus on the band’s classic hits, and every remaining ounce of energy was squeezed onto the stage with closers “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “Hope You’re Happy Now.” What a smart way to close a show, leaving every rocker there happy without a doubt.
