With Blood On My Hands

Album Review

Although the album cover and title might suggest a dark, brooding, and loud brand of rock & roll, Sounds Like Violence sound more like a tight, well-oiled, and finely tuned rock band judging by opening track "Nothing," a mix of garage rock and punk but with enough radio-friendly hooks to ensure success. Just as strong is the rollicking "Were You Ever in Love with Me?," which brings to mind a cross between the International Noise Conspiracy and Interpol. But perhaps the band shows its true musical chops with the urgent, rabid "Wrong," which works on several different levels. Guitarists Philip Hall and Andreas Söderlund weave some great magic on this song as it twists and turns, ebbs and flows. A passion is also clearly audible and not diminished by slick production. "Changes" is another perfect example of this and well worth repeated listens, as is the tight and infectious "Glad I'm Losing You," despite the rather monotone delivery of the vocals during the verses. The first average or mediocre song seems to arise during a rather routine romp through "Heartless Wreck," but that's quickly atoned for with the powerful, foot-stomping "Cold Cold Blood." Sounds Like Violence only veer into hardcore emo territory during "Longing for a Warm Embrace."