[3/5] The all-star team of producers behind the Sounds' second album--an ex-Smashing Pumpkin, the guy who gussied up the Killers and a Fountains Of Wayne hook guru-likely explains why Dying sounds like such a slick effort. Although the Swedish band maintain the sneering punk attitude (and arena-sized riffs) that distinguished their 2002 debut, Livin In America, their newfound nods to pop music--synths zipping like an '80s-teen-flick tune, pulsing dance-funk and even a rickety piano ballad--overshadow the expected balls-out rockers. Worse yet, even the harder parts of Dying too often feel stilted instead of fierce; consider the whole affair akin to when Blondie ditched their punk roots for the discotheque.
(NEW LINE) Annie Zaleski
 Official Website: http://www.newlinerecords.com
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