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	THIRD TIME OUT The band, the Sundays, have produced a fine CD in its third effort on Universal Records. The group has a unique pop sound that combines the best of both American and European styles. The songs on the new album have a soothing effect that is pleasing to the ear.

Everyone says it. Sometimes it's true, sometimes not.

As far as The Sundays are concerned, it very well could be.

Dave Matthews made the break at number three and now they are the '90s equivalent of the Stones.

Static and Silence is a good example of the creative prowess that the group has become known for. Pop music, which is becoming more and more crowded at the top, may have to make some room for one more band. Lead singer Harriet Wheeler and guitarist David Gavurin combine the group's producing and writing with the British talents of bassist Paul Brindley and drummer Patrick Hannan. Together they produce a sound that has won many fans in the United States as well as Europe.

Behind their 1992 gold seller Blind The Sundays appear to be throwing fuel on the fire of their careers. Static and Silence proves to be a nice piece of work that combines soothing guitar riffs with the skyrocketing vocals of female lead singers. The Sundays have produced an album containing not only its personal lyrics, but also a really sensitive part of the group's music. A break-away from the hard, whining music of such bands as No Doubt, The Sundays appear to have a strangle hold on the lyrical poetry of soft pop.

Aside from the funk guitar intro to "Summertime" and backgrounds of chirping birds in "I can't wait," The Sundays throw brass and orchestration into the mix. That is a nice addition to music that seems to have gotten away from such things recently. Van Morrison was the inspiration for much of the "touching music" produced on the album.

Usually, the basic idea of another band using their female lead as a ticket to the top makes me cringe.

The Sundays, however, use this to their advantage by using the vocals as a focal point for songs while at the same time focusing on drum breaks and the dominant sounds of bass.

Wheeler uses the peaceful lyrics to her advantage as she paints picture after picture, drawing you in and letting you feel the pain or sorrow the song presents. Her voice hops the ride of the music and rides it instead of carrying it.

The Sundays, who have had their time in the shadows, appear to be on the way out shedding a beam of light and hope on the future for pop music.

Although there are some songs on Static and Silence that could have been left on the cutting room floor, overall the CD offers a variety of traditional pop music combined with the inspirational and sometimes heavenly lyrics.

Songs such as "Monochrome" and "Summertime" offer melodies that will definitely get stuck in your head.

Although they are looming in the silence of popular music today, The Sundays behind this album are sure to cause some static in the music world.