The Sounds - "Dying To Say This To You" (New Line Records, 2006)

If you're a fan of Sleater-Kinney, or even of the more recent band Tegan and Sara, you'll enjoy what The Sounds have to offer. Indie rock rarely comes with as much hook-filled punch as these 11 tracks, but Dying To Say This To You is made even better by the punk-rock attitude lead singer Maja Ivarsson injects into each song. "Song With A Mission" blends Blondie with The Hives, pulling no punches in its insatiable need to rock you. With that under their belt, the band proceeds to unapologetically take your mind over with songs like "Queen Of Apology" and "Living In America" -- which features the best keyboard-based hook I've heard all year. Don't let this one pass by unheard if you like a little pop in your rock. Everyone deserves a guilty pleasure or two.

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