The Strength/The Sound/The Songs

The Strength / The Sound / The Songs
Studio album by
Volbeat
Released26 September 2005[1]
Recorded2003 – 2005
Genre
Length55:03
LabelRebel Monster, Mascot
ProducerJacob Hansen
Volbeat chronology
The Strength / The Sound / The Songs
(2005) 		Rock the Rebel/Metal the Devil
(2007)
Singles from The Strength/The Sound/The Songs
  1. "Soulweeper (Demo single)"
    Released: 2003
  2. "I Only Wanna Be With You"
    Released: 2006

The Strength / The Sound / The Songs is the debut studio album by Danish rock band Volbeat. Released in 2005, the album initially failed to chart. However, in July 2006 the album entered the Danish Charts, peaking at number 18.[4] The album would stay on that chart for 21 non-consecutive weeks. Volbeat's label at the time, Mascot Records, had only a limited distribution deal in the United States, meaning that the album went largely unnoticed in that country.[5] Volbeat would not breakthrough in the United States until 2010 with their fourth album, Beyond Hell/Above Heaven.

Two of the album's songs, "Danny & Lucy (11PM)" and "Fire Song" form a story which is continued on Volbeat's second album, Rock The Rebel/Metal The Devil with the song "Mr. & Mrs. Ness", the song "Mary Ann's Place" from the band's third album, Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood, and is concluded on the band's sixth album, Seal the Deal & Let's Boogie with the song "You Will Know".[6]

The songs "Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza", "Soulweeper", "Danny & Lucy (11 PM)", and "Alienized" are all taken from Volbeat's 2003 demo, titled "Beat The Meat".[7] Additionally, the song Soulweeper was released as a single in 2003, though the band did not have a label when it was released and is considered a demo.[8] The only official single released from the album was the band's cover of Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You", which was released in 2006.[9] The band also filmed a music video for the single, which features Volbeat performing on a rooftop.[10]

Reception

Being a limited release outside of Denmark, professional English reviews of the album are scarce. Scott Alisoglu of Blabbermouth.net gave the album a 7.5/10, saying "Loud guitars, a nice collection of hooks, and an endearingly oddball vocal performance make 'The Strength/The Sounds/The Songs' a worthwhile spin. It sure as hell stands apart from anything in my CD collection."[3]

Track listing

All lyrics written by Michael Poulsen, except for track 11 which is credited to both Michael Poulsen and Elvis A. Presley[11] and track 13 is written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde.

All songs written by Michael Poulsen, Jon Larsen, Anders Kjølholm and Franz Gottschalk.

No.TitleLength
1."Caroline Leaving"3:14
2."Another Day, Another Way"3:03
3."Something Else or..."4:08
4."Rebel Monster"2:54
5."Pool of Booze, Booze, Booza"3:38
6."Always, Wu"2:33
7."Say Your Number"4:42
8."Soulweeper"3:39
9."Fire Song"4:20
10."Danny & Lucy (11 PM)"2:51
11."Caroline #1"4:13
12."Alienized"4:07
13."I Only Wanna Be with You"2:44
14."Everything's Still Fine"3:20
15."Healing Subconsciously"5:37
Total length:55:03

Personnel

Volbeat

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[12] 2× Platinum 40,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[13] Gold 100,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "The Strength/The Sound/The Songs". Amazon.com. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Volbeat reissuing debut album 'The Strength/The Sound/The Songs' on vinyl". 98KUPD. January 26, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Alisoglu, Scott (October 23, 2005). "The Strength/The Sound/The Songs - Volbeat". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Hung, Steffen. "danishcharts.dk - Volbeat - The Strength / The Sound / The Songs". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  5. ^ "Danish Metalheads Volbeat Explain Breaking Through in America & Their Awkwardly Awesome Coachella Show". Billboard. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  6. ^ Seal The Deal & Let's Boogie liner notes. p. 16. This song (You Will Know) ends the story from past songs like Danny & Lucy (11 PM), Fire Song, Mr. And Mrs. Ness and Mary Ann's Place
  7. ^ "Volbeat - The Strength / The Sound / The Songs". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  8. ^ "Volbeat - Soulweeper". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-01-25.
  9. ^ "Volbeat - I Only Wanna Be With You". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  10. ^ Mascot Records (2006-11-29). "Volbeat "I Only Wanna Be With You" Video of The Strength/The Sound/The Songs". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-12. Retrieved 2017-01-29.
  11. ^ The Strength/The Sound/The Songs liner notes. p. 8. "Words by Michael Poulsen and Elvis A Presley" - Caroline #1
  12. ^ "Danish album certifications – Volbeat – The Strength, The Sound, The Song". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 1 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Volbeat; 'The Strength, The Sound, The Song')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 1 June 2022.