Victory

Thanks to Dave Franklin and NYCs The Big Takeover for their review of Victory - which goes live on streaming on 20th September and is already available physically: 

"If Minerva was the first piece of the triptych jigsaw that makes up a set called A Cornucopia: Minerva, Victory, Bounty, then it may come as no surprise to find that Victory, The Speed of Sound’s latest album, is the second installment in the series. And if that first one proved to be fun and eclectic, exploratory and unique, then at least your expectations are set for this new sonic adventure. To be honest, anyone following the Speed of Sound story for the last few years…or 35, will already be braced to expect, if not the unexpected, then at least the unusual, challenging, and thoroughly rewarding.

But if Minerva sought to stick two fingers up to the powers-that-be of the record label-dominated music scene, Victory perhaps takes a more laid-back approach. The songs are still laced with optimism and a sense of liberation, but they seem to be less picking a fight and just happy to make some less pointed points.

One of the main points is about the joy of making music for the sake of it, art for art’s sake. So here we find a collection of songs, and indeed a band, that isn’t looking to get rich, famous, look cool, or even be noticed but instead revel in the pleasures of creativity and expression.

Ironically, it is this freedom to not play the game enables them to produce songs that could easily be chart contenders in a more discerning world. If opener “Apocalypse Acropolis” feels like a tentative start, when taken as one half of the bookend set with “Apocalypse Metropolis,” its more measured way makes sense against its partner’s beat-driven, hazy vocals and trumpet-riffed nature.

Recent single, “Underground,” might not look to the mainstream for admirers. Still, those of us who have been around the block a few times will recognize its blend of indie and pop and slightly rawer edges, its jangling guitars and shuffling beats, sing-along refrains, and alternative ways, as precisely the sort of thing that used to create the unusual high points and left-field guile that occasionally peppered the 80’s charts as the wave of post-punk attitudes merged into a new pop sound.

And then there are tracks like “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” which revel in their otherness, a cornucopia (wink wink) of Eastern vibes and raga beats, a blend of masala rock that builds a bridge between late-era Beatles and bands such as Orphaned Land.

I guess when you stop conforming to the rules and regulations set by those around you, when you decide to leave the game and make music on your terms, that is when you make the music that matters, to you at least, music that goes where you want it to go, sounds the way you want it to sound and says what you want it to say. I’m sure Speed of Sound has always had such an attitude, but albums like A Cornucopia: Victory and the set that it is a part of are the perfect rallying point for those who don’t want to be dictated to…both music makers and those who want to listen to something new, authentic and different." 

The Big Takeover: https://bigtakeover.com/recordings/the-speed-of-sound-victory-big-stir-records 

All Links for Victory (physical/streaming/download): https://victorythespeedofsound.hearnow.com/a-cornucopia-pt-2-victory 

The Big Takeover review and new album announcement

A stunningly enthusiastic review form NYC's Big Takeover Magazine revelling in the swirling mixture that comprises Minerva, the first disc of A Cornucopia:

"A 3-record set available only in physical form? Man, its like the seventies all over again, But before you run off to check if your purple, crushed velvet, loon pants still fit, let me stop you there. For now, at least, we are faced only with one album, namely Minerva the first third of the deluxe box set to follow (which will be joined by Victory and Bounty - bonus points for those that have made the connection.) The band in question is Manchester's The Speed Of Sound so the music leans towards pop-infused sophistication and punky energy rather than anything proggy or paisley patterned. And if I have suggested the music is anything but a product of here-and-now then I must apologise.

And so it is that across fourteen tracks, The Speed Of Sound works its eclectic magic. 'West Wind' is a Hendrix vocal-drawl leading a punk-blues groove whilst a horn section perform a sonic, shamanistic ritual in the near distance and 'SS-100-X' is Lou Reed gone folk. 'The Harvest' is the sort of thing Nick Cave might have come up with, if he worked as chief troubadour in the court of Henry V, whilst 'Bodysnatchers' tips its hat at Elvis... make that Costello not Presley. And if 'Clickbait' is the sort of sound that punk should have been about had it been less sneering and aloof and taken a leaf out of the Pop Pickers Playbook, then 'So Faux' is just... odd. And I mean that in the very best of ways.

Although digital versions of the three albums that will make up the box set will be available down the line, this is a physical-only release for now. This release coincides with the band's 35th anniversary, but more than that, the songs, based on Minerva at least, are going to be some of the most fun and frantic, optimistic and lyrical, deft and dexterous songs you have heard in a while. Any balanced, respectable and discerning music fan worth their salt will want to add these to their physical music collection. Music fans like you!" 

You can find the piece on The Big Takeover website here    

Thanks from us to Dave Franklin and The Big Takeover

the links are in the weblink above, but also here https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-cornucopia-minerva

Tomorrow's World - Video Premier on NYC's The Big Takeover Magazine

 The video for Tomorrow's World had its premier on The Big Takeover, and this is what they had to say:

"We’re delighted to see British college rock stalwarts The Speed Of Sound are back with a full album following their recent string of eight singles via Big Stir Records. Called Museum of Tomorrow, this collection is foretold by the lead track ‘Museum of Tomorrow’, reminiscent of the best of such artists as Pylon, Throwing Muses, The B-52s, The Judybats, and Lene Lovich.

Hailing from Manchester, the underground music are gearing up for their fifth studio album with 13 tracks. The long-player will be released on CD and Deluxe LP, well timed to coincide with the release of the band’s debut EP back in 1989 – actually 32 years to the day.

‘Tomorrow’s World’ is a sweet taster of what’s in store for listeners, along with an accompanying animated music video that’s set in a retro-future space age world of hovering UFOs and exploration beyond our planet. The entire 21st century seems to have been mis-sold. This song is a cry of anguish and a re-statement of what should have been. Twelve multi-layered synthesizer tracks recreate a flying saucer landing at the end and the ultra-depth in the sound is from bowed bass on the verse-ends and pre-chorus.

Fascinated by the future as viewed through the prism of what once was, where we are at now and hopes for the future, the thoughtfulness that goes into The Speed of Sound’s lyrics and music is precious. With an unmistakable sound and, at time, tandem male-female vocals, the band has found a winning formula. We look forward to hearing the rest of this long-player.

From the opening line “We were offered Star Trek, but they fed us Soylent Green” – which is etched into the vinyl – science fiction abounds within the music, positioning The Now simultaneously in the Future and in the Past. We all exist on the edge of forever.

Conceived as two seamless sides, the vinyl edition of this record was mastered as two complete extended pieces: Gallery One and Gallery Two. Korg synthesizer lines, reminiscent of classic Science Fiction incidental music and sound-collages, link the gapless songs.

This is future retro modern music, rooted in a definite ’60s influence but with an ’80s twist. The Speed Of Sound meshing the power of punk with the floating harmonies of The Byrds. Their sound and alphabetical order places them between Sonic Youth and Dusty Springfield.

The Speed Of Sound formed in Manchester in 1989 with a pre-history dating directly back to the day Andy Warhol died in 1987. Dwelling deep below the ‘music industry radar’ has allowed for the evolution of their own distinct sound, their live act often described totally differently with comparisons from The Stranglers and Television to Jefferson Airplane and The Who.

The Speed Of Sound has continuously produced music that is optimistic and with lyrical bite, a punk-inspired DIY ethos and lust for experimentation rooted in psychedelia. While players have come and gone, the current lineup has largely been the same for four years, including father and son John Armstrong (guitars and vocals) and Henry Armstrong(keyboards), Ann-Marie Crowley (vocals and guitar), Kevin Roache (bass guitar), and John Broadhurst (drums).

‘Tomorrow’s World’ is out on August 14 and will be available via Apple Music and Spotify. On September 17, the Museum of Tomorrow LP will be released digitally, on CD and limited-edition 170g heavy weight vinyl with a choice between black and glorious color. Vinyl orders include a 16-page full-colour A5 printed Exhibition Guide containing lyrics, full-color inner sleeve, a separate picture insert, a sticker, a pair of badges/buttons and a bookmark. The album can already be pre-ordered in all formats at Big Stir Records’ WEBSITE

CREDITS
Written by John Armstrong
John Armstrong – guitars and vocals
Ann-Marie Crowley – vocals and guitars
Kevin Roache – bass guitar
John Broadhurst – drums
Henry Armstrong – keyboards
Recorded at Vibratone Sound Studio, Manchester
Engineered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest
Mixed By Adam Crossley, Chris Guest and The Speed Of Sound
Mastered by Adam Crossley and Chris Guest at Vibratone Sound Studio
Sleeve front / Artwork by Local Hotel Parking"

the video is here

You can find the whole piece here