The Sounds would sound great on one of those Ultimate '80s albums advertised on television. That's not a knock on the Swedish band -- it's a compliment. They've crafted a group of songs on par with many '80s pop classics.

Had their new album, Dying to Say This to You, come out 20 years ago, lead single "Song with a Mission" would play in-between "Rio" and "She Blinded Me with Science."

A retro-sounding group risks being too derivative, but there's a way around that: great songwriting.

It is no exaggeration to say that any song off this album could be a single.

Frontwoman Maja Ivarsson's dynamic vocals can carry upbeat tunes like "Ego" and piano ballads like "Night After Night." The song and the guitar-based remix rendition are both album highlights, along with "Hurt You," which features male/female vocal swapping and great synth work from keyboardist Jesper Anderberg.

With the recent trend of musical throwbacks fading, it's hard to say what the market is for another Blondie.

Indeed, the Sounds seem out of time. They've played the Vans Warped Tour, oddly sandwiched between the onslaught of pop-punk and emo bands -- if there's even a difference anymore.

The popular retro groups aped garage rock, not new wave. The Killers -- with whom this album shares a producer -- draw on some similar influences, but they are an exception. Other '80s sounding groups are usually good for one minor hit, not sustained success.

Despite the '80s roots, the album is a great success. Some might complain it's shallow or derivative, but to question its emotional depth is missing the point.

Eighties pop bands produced catchy, fun music, and this album is overflowing with hooks.

It's hard to whine about a lack of originality when an album doesn't let you stop singing along long enough to complain.

Grade: A-

-- Reviewed by Dustin Pangonis