Over the past few years, Sugarcult have proven themselves to be a powerful force to be reckoned with in the Pop Punk world. Releasing raw and heavy singles which have mixed well with the Pop Punk crowd, and touring with such likes as Good Charlotte, MxPx, Simple Plan, Motion City Soundtrack and Billy Talent. But can they follow up the success of 2001's
Start Static...
She's The Blade - 7/10
It's rare to find a slow song starting off an album, but this is the case with Sugarcult. It isn't done well, though. The song has good lyrics and descent instrument use in the choruses, but the song lacks energy. This could have been a much better song, although it isn't bad. A bad start at the moment...
Crying - 9/10
My favourite song. Makes up for
She's The Blade with it's catchy lyrics, powerful riffs and great beats. This is a song which deserves to be played loud, and deserves to wake the neighbours. Things are picking up...
Memory - 8/10
Some may remember the acoustic version off
Punk Goes Acoustic, I don't. Being the 1st single off the album, I expected a "radio song". However, I found a perfectly constructed electric ballad. The lyrics obviously mean a lot, and the guitar is put in perfectly to go with them.
Worst To December - 6/10
A typical and boring intro to a typical and boring song. It turns out Sugarcult's attempts to do slow songs aren't good. This and
She's The Blade prove it, with lifeless riffs and predictable lyrics. Sorry, this doesn't get my vote.
Back To California - 8/10
Again, slow, but acoustic. And it isn't bad. It is quite moving, and tells a sas story. The lyrics are sometimes cheesy, but work well and the acoustic and slow drum beat add to the songs feeling.
Destination Anywhere - 8/10
A strange "rock 'n' roll" intro, with a lot of bass and hardly any guitar. This is slowish, and it is done well. The verses are quiet with just bass and drums, and the occasional guitar. The choruses pick up speed and volume, which goes well with the verses. A great song, overall.
Champagne - 3/10
There are certain Pop Punk songs I can't like, no matter how hard I try. This is one of them. A crap title, unessessary clapping and predictable and stupid lyrics. I expected more from this band, but they managed to make a song I can't like. Don't review it for yourself, just skip it!
What You Say - 8/10
After a pathetic effort at a song, this sounds a lot like
Crying. It's fast, it's loud and it just rocks. Very rock like and not pop punkish, the lyrics make up for that. Not as catchy as previous lyrics, but still a valiant effort.
Over - 7/10
Again, a slow song. But better than
She's The Blade and
Worst To December. It picks up a lot in the chorus again, and has very meaningful lyrics. But other than that, it is your average "I hate you, biatch!" song.
Head Up - 7/10
Again, the intro is boring, but it builds up in the verse. It isn't a bad song, but very poppy. The lyrics are again predictable, but the intruments make up for them. Not the best song on the album, but skippable in my opinion.
Counting Stars - 8/10
With a slow intro almost
Crying-esque and a more gothic approach at lyric writing, this song is quite catchy. With a sing-a-long type chorus and perfectly adjusted melodies, this song does justice and makes up for the previous lacking slow songs.
Sign Off - 8/10
A strange computerised intro goes intro another acoustic. The lyrics are quite bland, but aren't bad, and with a simple chorus anyone can sing along to, this isn't a bad ballad. It's a bit short, clocking in at around 2:00, but it does the job.
All in all, I'd say this album has too much yeng and not enough yang (or however it goes). Too many of the songs are slow and they are the ones that lose this album credability points. Sugarcult are clearly a band made for fast, hard and heavy songs, and can barely pull off a ballad. So if you are looking for an album you can rock to with your friends, don't look here. It's all slow and almost sophomore-like.
This album only gets 3 smiley faces from me, only just managing that.
:):):):upset::upset:
