The Sound - Shock Of Daylight (Full EP)

1984 EP by The Sound.

Tracklist:

01. Golden Soldiers 00:00
02. Longest Days 03:18
03. Counting The Days 08:28
04. Winter 12:07
05. A New Way Of Life 16:25
06. Dreams Then Plans 21:05

[terrysteffy]

I half to comment, never do, I’m 68 so I never really contributed to the comment community. But I was privileged to see this band in their prime. It was the East Side Club in Philadelphia. One of thier four east coast gigs. It was amazing show, stoic but with an energy that just mesmerized everyone. I wa# there to see the Sound, already owned their 2 releases, so seeing then live was a moment I will smile upon always, every time.

[massivegat]

One of my favorite releases from The Sound. It’s perfect in length and features some of the most sincere lyrics Adrian ever penned. For a man whose forte was emotional honesty and intensity, the melancholic beauty of this EP is its heart.

I think at times it’s hard to discuss a figure like Adrian who passed under such tragic circumstances without characterizing him as a one dimensional artist. There’s a bias towards the somber and morose, which is understandable. Adrian was both of those things a lot of the time, and then some. This EP however puts on full display what makes his work so special. Under all the sadness is a fragile beauty and optimism. Emphasis on hope, agency, themes of contrast and duality are found all over his work. Longest Days for example is wonderfully made. There’s a clear melancholy from the start, but once his voice cuts through that production with a weary gentleness, it’s beautiful.

While not necessarily a concept album I think the structure is important to note too. Golden Soldiers starts the record with an almost manic energy, explained by his condition of Schizoaffective Bipolar type of course. The next two tracks are less intense and hold a lot more romanticism in them. They’re forward facing, waiting for better days to come. Winter is the darkest song on the record. It paints a desolate and haunting landscape. The days become so unbearable that a desire to just sleep through them is born. The icy cold of winter takes the life out of life itself. A New Way Of Life features the same cautious optimism found elsewhere, but now it’s closer to being embraced. Dreams Then Plans comes out of the nocturnal gloom of depression and now demonstrates a real vitality. Healing from the pain, replacing it with flesh and color.

Imagery is key too. The cover shows a bright flash of sunlight through a window flanked on both sides by heavy blackout curtains. Positioned in the center, the darkness that at one time wrapped over the opening now falls to the radiance at the heart of the image. There’s an inherent strength and kindness in the human spirit and I think Adrian knew that. By the time the record ends, the person has healed. Darkness might color their past, but it doesn’t have to also define their future. The curtains are drawn open and they step out into the sun, willing to give life another try. Feeling returns, and they finally find their happiness at the end.

“A love of life
A love of life in my eyes”

Miss you buddy!

RIP Adrian ✝️

[gabrielceballos]

One of the most beautiful things to ever be recorded in history

[andreamassellucci]

best underrated band of all the time, their music is so deep and so special..unique, love the sound forever

[nikkiadams]

I loved this EP in the 80s and still play it often. It's one of those records that you have to play loud, alone and without interruption. Totally absorbing. What a loss, such a talented musician singer songwriter Adrian was.

[butterflyskies]

this EP is seamlessly the most haunting and ethereal soundtrack ever released.

[aleksandarfrick]

Don't understand how this band were not more popular . Songs are excellent .
Chain of diamonds .

[massimobaldrati]

Un tuffo nel passato che fa quasi male al cuore . Periodo bellissimo e d indimenticabile.❤Grande !!!

[perfredlund]

My only complaint: "Winter" should be at least 10 minutes longer. So beautiful...

[enriquedelaruadelgado]

When I was a student I used to listen to this album when I studied. Now I'm a teacher and I listen to these songs while I correct exams. I still get emotional listening to this fabulous album.

[Takac]

The Sound are a band that you fall in love in again and again and again ... pure class!

[funkychilimunky]

I love this entire album and that's rare for me 😁

[sunwheels]

One of the great things about Borland was his ability to write such relatable lyrics.

[chalicek]

good memories of this ep turned depressing after the hardest breakup of my life. it still hurts to listen to this but i love it so much

[Tomas-qkzg]

They are really brilliant!!. I love them since I listened to in the 80s. It is a pity they have been an underrated band in their own age.

[EmiPianoMX]

Good record, I remember when I first heard it, now and then I like to play it with my bass.

[camilapaivapaiva]

My name is Jane. I Love The Sound🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[kenjohnson]

Beautiful and bad ass at the same time!

[monicavicious]

How not to love this band? Much love from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!

[davidellis]

An EP !! At under 30 minutes this still is better then most bands "proper albums" Can't believe they never had a hit.