This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
From the Lions Mouth is the second studio album by English post-punk band the Sound, released in November 1981 on record label Korova. Following the release of their previous album Jeopardy, keyboardist Belinda "Bi" Marshall left the group and was replaced by Colvin "Max" Mayers. For their new album, the Sound worked with producer Hugh Jones, as well as co-producing the album themselves. The album's sound was more polished than previous efforts. Like Jeopardy, From the Lions Mouth was critically acclaimed but failed to capture the attention of the public, with the band's fanbase limited to a cult following. One single, "Sense of Purpose (What Are We Going to Do)", was released. The album cover artwork was taken from the 1872 painting Daniel in the Lion's Den by Briton Rivière. NME compared the album's bleak nature to Joy Division's Closer.[3] Despite The Sound being posited as a gloomy band, AllMusic wrote, "snake-charming opener 'Winning' is like a dash of cold water in the faces of all the bands that were wallowing and withering away at the weeping well [...] The Sound were not mopes. They had their problems with life, but rather than just vent or escape from them, they confront them and ask questions and attempt to sort it all out."
Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Winning, Sense of purpose, Skeletons, The fire, New dark age
This is nice, definitely stands up well to other music of the time. Wasn't familiar with it before. 4 stars.
Exceptional post-punk LP! Had saved a few tracks from this one years ago, so I appreciated being reminded this exists and giving it a full run-through. Appreciated the darker Joy Division feel paired against a poppier, Cure-like sensibility in the songwriting and lyricism. Could be a bit tighter and more focused overall, but still a solid listen and great addition to the list
Shades of a lot of post-punk music I already liked pretty well. Dark without being gloomy. I wasn't really focused in on the lyrics and my instinct is they might be worth spending more time with. Bump it a point for the main artist's undeniable struggles.
The Sound From The Lion's Mouth - Is it a roar? It'll be a roar, won't it? Well no. What it is us surprisingly unknown early 80s that fits right in with its contemporary stuff, but apparently never got anywhere. Bizarre! I'm glad to have heard it, but it just makes me wonder why nobody else did either.
I liked this at the start, and it grew on me more and more. The final track "New Dark Age" really had me - I love that track. Happy to have heard it.
Yah, good one 4 3
By the sound they mean 80s sound right. The singers style is right in line with some of the popular alternative sounding singers from that decade. The instrumentals have a little range but still very in line with the alternative sounding singers from the 80s. If you told me this was a spinoff band from joy division I’d believe it. Still pretty decent just not amazing. 6.6/10
I have absolutely no idea what this is going to be. The album title is vaguely post punk maybe? But the band name says yacht rock, and the cover says black metal. It's unlikely it's all 3 of those things, especially in 1981 lol. Ok it's gothy post punk. Makes sense. Not too bad tbh, seems like the sort of thing that would have sounded perfect with just a bit better production job. Got a bit long and drawn out towards the end, there isn't much by way of variation, but it's a 3/5.
Very post punk very new wave very British I liked this more than a lot of the smiths so I guess it’s pretty good.
The is would be great to drive around Vice City to
Every time I see something written about The Sound, there's an incredulity as to why the band wasn't as successful as some of their peers. Well, I'll tell you why. They simply got overshadowed by showier, more talented bands working in the same vein of a crowded genre. Long term, international success was fleeting for all but the best of these bands. Musically, this is perfectly serviceable early 80s post-punk that I would have happily consumed in my teens. But this is also the band I would have probably forgotten about until they started turning up in my Spotify recommends 40 years later. So what's the weak spot? There are several. Chiefly, this album really lacks darkness, a certain edge. Adrian Borland's vocals are mostly flat and lacking in charisma. That, combined with lackluster lyrics and fairly restrained instrumentation, results in a listenable but unmemorable collection of songs. That said, I don't have a problem with The Sound per se. I love listening to this genre of music and I enjoyed getting a chance to hear this today. I would have loved to review the band's earlier album, Jeopardy, which has a more intense and angular sound. The difference between the two albums is almost shocking. Fave Songs: Fatal Flaw, New Dark Age, Winning, The Fire, Skeletons
Old wave
The line between post-punk and new wave always is thin. This was an enjoyable album
Just some good, listenable goth. Lovely bass.
When Jim Morrison had a singalong with the members of Joy Division, Television and U2.
Enjoyed this one
Nice post punk album by the Sound. Musically somewhere between Joy Division and early U2.
Really enjoyed this, top 80s post punk, should be on the original list.
Interesting rock
Not too bad but not a core memory.
This is the type of British post punk I normally would’ve shit all over on the main list for being too similar to a million other albums on the list but it’s actually kinda unique to the user list. I still don’t fully enjoy listening to it but it’s been long enough since I’ve heard one of these I’m not annoyed by it.
This took me back to gloomy cinder-block dorm rooms at my college in the 80s, where friends in gloomy moods in gloomy clothes would be listening to gloomy music and just couldn't even. I was so jealous, since I could never convey my own gloom as exquisitely, and the likes of Stacy Q's "Two of Hearts" was what I chose when depressed. An extra point for a nostalgic sound, although the gloomy monotone made me skip frequently.
It's easy to listen to, it's enjoyable in most of its tracks, it has good musicians. However, I didn't find it transcendent beyond a regular album.
Post-punk, gothic rock. Ni fu ni fa. Rollo. Un 2.
This just sounded old. Not unlistenable but not worthwhile.