Single of the Day "Opium Eyes" by The Speed of Sound

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

The Speed of Sound are an alternative rock band from Manchester, whose up-tempo, free-flowing and idiosyncratic soundscape create music that marches to the beat of a different drum. They are a band that travels 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” (17th September 2021) and whose track “Opium Eyes” has been selected as my “Single of the Day”.

Opium Eyes is a stream of space-gazing sensibility, whose unhinged energy creates a delirious spin of musical mayhem. It’s a great track, whose spiked riffs skitter and slip down the poppy paths of post-punk and soar towards euphoric heights. What sounds like Tom Verlaine, Howard Devoto, The Slits, Lene Lovich, Nina Hagen and The Au-pairs love-child creates a spontaneous relay of vocals, that injects a bit of art-rock anarchy and a fluidity of neo-folk-punk from its visceral veins. Along with the pulsating beats, Opium Eyes invigorates with an influx of sprightly stomps and brimming with a youthful ardour.

Opium Eyes is released on 24th September 2021 available via Big Stir Records

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