"Museum Of Tomorrow" by The Speed Of Sound

The Speed Of Sound - Museum Of Tomorrow (album cover)

The Speed of Sound travel at fast velocity, stomping in the shadows of punk and staggering in the inebriated hour of post-punk. They are an upsurge of energy whose catchy tracks are reminiscent of bands from a progressive era of new wave, proto-punk, neo-psychedelia, post-punk and art-rock. Think Magazine, Television and Pylon going out for a few drinks and then goofing around with the B52s during last orders, then you get an idea what they are about.

Formed in Manchester in 1989, the ever-evolving line up today consists of 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). Having released their debut EP 32 years ago, The Speed of Sound are back full force with their fifth album “Museum Of Tomorrow”.

Released on 17th September 2021, the album is an explosive intermix of retro-cool, zany disorder and contemporary commentary. It’s an album that revisits the neo-folk fog of the 60s and tinkles in the twilight of baroque-rock. It’s also an album whose stream of improvised and mutating sounds captures the Avant-garde rock-jazz experientialism of the late 70s. Along with the pitter-patter of space-synths and razor riffs, “Museum Of Tomorrow” time-travels back to the oeuvre of prog-rock, whilst dusting down the glitter and glam of a bygone age.

What sounds like Tom Verlaine in unison with the Au-pairs, vocally the album goes back to spontaneous, idiosyncratic and authentic ethos of D.I.Y Punk. Through the relay of vocals, the album creates a fluidity of feel-good sing-alongs, amongst the raw rumblings and cacophony of chaos. It’s a great album, whose raucous roll of raw riffs and pulsating beats soar, spin and nose-dive in a riotous maelstrom of musical mayhem.

Album order https://bigstirrecords.com/album/1910197/museum-of-tomorrow
Bandcamp https://bigstirrecords.bandcamp.com/album/museum-of-tomorrow
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/5NsxAmeLSISiNZH2BcwRVa
Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/5a8X77zKnUANmr1dff8OUc
Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/the-speed-of-sound/tomorrows-world-1/s-3MM0ZZseKE1

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

TRACK LIST
01. Tomorrow’s World
02. Opium Eyes
03. Smokescreen
04. Zombie Century
05. Wired And Tired
06. Virtual Reality (Part 2)
07. Shadow Factory
08. Impossible Past
09. Leaf Blower
10. Blood Sweat And Tears
11. Charlotte
12. The Day The Earth Caught Fire
13. Last Orders