Album review: SOUNDS INCARCERATED – Unswitchable Hits Vol 1

Hot on the heels of The Galileo 7’s “Decayed” release, Allan Crockford and Viv Bonsels (aka Sounds Incarcerated) from the band unleash a series of recordings originally created for Mister Unswitchable’s semi-regular online themed cover version events. These were a continuation of a handful of pre-lockdown open-mic nights, and gave many local Medway musicians a chance to record some unexpected (and sometimes out of character) songs, with accompanying videos, to entertain themselves and each other. All have been remixed and mastered specially for this release.

As with “Decayed”, it’s a very eclectic mix of songs which works well as a collection and demonstrates the band’s wide range of influences. From the punk era are versions of Buzzcocks’ ‘What Do I Get?’ and ‘Gary Gilmore’s Eyes’ by The Adverts, both sung by Allan. The Stranglers are represented by ‘Nice In Nice’, an underrated track from their more commercial sounding era – and a real album highlight, with a terrific vocal by Viv.

There are two Robyn Hitchcock songs – ‘Winchester’ (originally from the “Element of Light” album) and the Soft Boys’ ‘Queen Of Eyes’, the latter given a hypnotic feel thanks to Viv’s dreamy vocal. Fellow Soft Boy Kimberley Rew is represented by the jangling ‘Going Down To Liverpool’, a storming track originally recorded when he was in Katrina & The Waves (and also covered by The Bangles).

There are two songs originally recorded by XTC’s psychedelic alter-ego band The Dukes Of Stratosphear, ‘Your Gold Dress’ and a lovely take on ‘Vanishing Girl’. There are also a couple of quirky TV show themes, ‘Lightning Tree’ (the rustic folk style theme from Follyfoot) and ‘Windy’ (an Association track, used as the theme for ‘Today’ aka the infamous “Bill Grundy Show”).

Rounding things off are John Denver’s ‘Sunshine On My Shoulders’, Lesley Gore’s ‘She’s A Fool’, a bonkers and somewhat unsettling Kraftwerk-style version of The Beatles’ ‘Love Me Do’, and a killer take on Haircut 100’s mighty ‘Favourite Shirt (Boy Meets Girl).

Overall, this is a rewarding listen and the accompanying videos are well worth checking out too. ****

Review by Jim Henderson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)