THE SOUND MOVEMENT

The Sound Movement's history together (first as acquaintances in other groups then from 2001 as their own trio) gives their debut album a lot of experience to draw on, not least of which is their haphazard way of making their way around the world from Australia to Japan to the U.K.. But the last port of call is where they were able to release their debut album in the end, with the short-but-makes-the-most-of-it Ichi Go Ichi E compiling a variety of recordings that result in an enjoyable first formal effort. If nothing else, the timing given the music world at large couldn't be better for them — their crisp, bright turn around guitar-driven post-punk recalls similar U.K. '80s music obsessives like the Black Watch, who the trio almost uncannily clone on the opening "A Million Lost Dogs." From there the album's eight songs make their rich way — not as strident and dramatic as, say, early Echo & the Bunnymen or the Chameleons, but neither as tensely wound up as the Comsat Angels, the Sound Movement emphasize a cooler restraint even while keeping the pace brisk and their arrangements busy. Frontman Andrew Day's guitar playing takes the lead at many points over his singing, but that's to the band's credit, as he sounds much more like he's flowing with the music rather than declaiming over it. Sometimes his phrases cut through with sudden impact, as on the descending chorus of "When We Fight Like This," possibly the album's highlight. The rhythm section of Kat Johnston and Josh Gross similarly blend into the guitar wash rather than cutting through it, but Johnston's bass sometimes steps to the fore to provide melodic contrast, as on "Modern Condition." "On Your Peaceful Day" is another sharp standout, especially due to Day's surf-leaning guitar on the extended conclusion, a nice touch set against the calmer sounds around it.

Review by Ned Raggett

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:kzfyxqwrldje - www.allmusic.com

THE SOUND MOVEMENT –
A Million Lost Dogs / London It Was You
(Pharmacy Records)

Much is made of the fact that trio The Sound Movement began their romantic, melodic life in Melbourne, but soon embarked on a voyage that saw them live in Tokyo, Manchester and finally London, the place where they finished and released their debut independent album Ichi Go Ichi E (it was presumably named on another part of their journey) in 2006. I
t’s taken a little while for a release back here, and more surprisingly, the first double single (oxymoron?) reveals that the trio’s travels have only reinforced the sound of their home country.

These two lonely but beautiful tunes recall some of Australia’s most loved ‘80s dark pop bands in The Church, The Triffids and The Go-Betweens, tellingly all Brit-bound for various levels of success, and perhaps more reflective of that intangible ‘Australian sound’ as a result of their absence.

Mark me down as interested when the album is finally released locally next month.

SIMON TOPPER _ Rave Magazine

http://www.ravemagazine.com.au/



AVAILABLE ON ITUNES

- Rave Magazine (Australia)

‘London It Was You’ (a-side) ‘A Million Lost Dogs’ (b-side) by The Sound Movement.

It’s hard to express how much we love Aussie-cum-Londonites The Sound Movement. Their savvy brew of post-punk, shoegaze, and just plain beautiful pop is capable of casting spells. Shimmering, chiming guitar reverbs in your ears, swoon-able melodies swirl around your head, and send you floating atop cityscapes like some starry-eyed anime character. The single has already been reviewed by Rave Magazine, and is currently out on Pharmacy Records in Australia and awaiting your purchase. If only FUG IT was a label already…

Influences: The Church, Swervedriver, Ride, and other incredibile bands.

Sounds like: THEM…you just have to listen….


FUGIT EmpiRe April 2008
- Fugitempire.com

THE SOUND MOVEMENT – Ichi Go Ichi E (Truck) - This is really nice, no I wasn’t being ironic or clever, I wasn’t being a smartass, this is nice, this is just really really nice. Breezy, refreshing and so much substance, The Sound Movement are busting with refreshing goodness – the musical equivalent of very refreshing shower or that tingling sensation from freshly brushed teeth or just going out in the warm (not too warm) sun – just very nice, fresh and uplifting. Very fine indeed and very Eighties in a most positive way – breezy jangling kind of tinkling sound that tastes of wholesome things like The Church, Stone Roses, The Bunnymen, Chameleons and The Smiths and The Wedding Present. A musical waterfall, beautifully voiced, all so gloriously good for you. Seems they’re from Australia and they’re now holed up in London (via a stint in Manchester soaking up the vibes of their favourite bands). Kind of like that time when the Bridewell Taxis covered Don’t Fear The Reaper in that very fine very 80’s very indie way, maybe bits of Levitation and even The Police. Hey, The Sound Movement have a sound of their own, they have a sound that’s just right and if you like any of the bands we just mentioned (and you should, everyone should love The Church), then you will love this rather simple, rather clever uplifting compelling and rather recommended album. - Organ Magazine

The Sound Movement - 'A Million Lost Dogs'
(Truck Records)

Hooray for Truck Records! When they're not busy organising vicars to serve tea at their great festival, they find the time to put out tremendous little records like this. The Sound Movement hail from Melbourne, Australia, but play distinctly English-sounding indie that you might well have heard from the bedroom of a literature student sometime in the late 1980s. But why 'A Million Lost Dogs' is so excellent is that instead of this all being tea-bags-drying-on-the-radiator lonely misery, it's delivered with a rather chipper lightness of step that brings their sound right up to date. Excellent stuff.

- PlayLouder

The Sound Movement – Ichi Go Ichi E (Truck)
The blurb highlights a move from Melbourne to Tokyo to Manchester, the final stop in pursuit of their influences – The Smiths and the Stones Roses. In their music, Marr’s classical jangle and the Roses breathy groove are married, while they also appear to have caught some quintessentially Oriental in their travels to add. All that said, patterns of their home patch shine through, such as ‘The Empty Beach’ where The Triffids and the Flying Nun roster get aligned with shoegazeisms as well as the darkened pop of yer Tears for Fears. Its pristine, ornate and a breezy open-top thrill, the closing ‘In Dark Sunlight’ a particularly good indicator of the emotive power in the group. Skif

- Vanity Project

The genesis of The Sound Movement's name can be discovered by doing only a little bit of scrounging on the internet. The band, made up of Andrew Day, Kat Johnston and Josh Gross, split its' duration thus far between Australia, Japan and England while concocting their own take on dark but inviting pop music. Thus, the music of the band moved from country to country, with the final destination as the finished copy of Ichi Go Ichi E.

The album begins with "A Million Lost Dogs", a song tinged with new-wave influences and familiar echoing voices interspersed with jangling guitar and fast, soft drumbeats keeping the pace light-hearted regardless of the lyrics' intentions. "The Empty Beach" continues with a similar sound. Day's vocals pierce the edges of the song, breaking into the wave of sound created by dance-y rolling guitars and cohesive relationships between the moving parts of the composition. Upbeat with an approach similar to Depeche Mode or The Cure, The Sound Movement brings a sound that is both old and new. The harmonies of "Mordem Condition" are welcoming while the composition of sound soothes and moves.

The tracks flow from one to the next fairly easily without sounding too alike. The track "On Your Peaceful Day" takes a gentle approach, its bits and pieces coming together to form a swaying background with rasping vocals and circulating until beautifully fading away. "Questions" bobs back and forth with toe-tapping rhythms juxtaposed with Day's reverberating tenor. Warmth emanates from their sound along with a tone of hope that is pleasantly promising. "In Dark Sunlight" grips you immediately with its upbeat cadence and swirling vocal descents.

Though Ichi Go Ichi E borrows what worked so well in 80's, it still maintains a level of freshness in comparison to the popular freak-folk or the remaining electro-clash through its popdom. Maybe those of us that are 80's kids have an innate affection for songs that remind us of our youth. Like the things you can never let go of.
- Urban Pollution

“A wonderful mix of early Bunnymen meets Ride coupled with a dash of The Church.”
Music Week (UK)
- Music Week (UK)