As with its two predecessors, The Sugar Tree is as grounded as a getting-up-there-a-bit hipster divorcée with mounting responsibilities and some stubborn wild hairs, which is to say it's as grounded as Amy Rigby. Lyri... more »cally, Rigby remains beguilingly whimsical yet candid as she surveys her world of romantic dues and payoffs. "I've been seeing a couple of guys / But they're like me so I don't want them / They have feelings, they have morals," she 'fesses up in "Balls." Ah, but is the brazen "Wait 'til I Get You Home" ("and the walls come down") addressed to the same callow suitor? Musically, Rigby continues to favor the country-flavored power-pop heard on 1996's Diary of a Mod Housewife and 1998's Middlescence, albeit with a bit more grit this time around. It's the work of a woman who knows herself and isn't afraid to call attention to her blemishes as well as her beauty. --Steven Stolder« less
As with its two predecessors, The Sugar Tree is as grounded as a getting-up-there-a-bit hipster divorcée with mounting responsibilities and some stubborn wild hairs, which is to say it's as grounded as Amy Rigby. Lyrically, Rigby remains beguilingly whimsical yet candid as she surveys her world of romantic dues and payoffs. "I've been seeing a couple of guys / But they're like me so I don't want them / They have feelings, they have morals," she 'fesses up in "Balls." Ah, but is the brazen "Wait 'til I Get You Home" ("and the walls come down") addressed to the same callow suitor? Musically, Rigby continues to favor the country-flavored power-pop heard on 1996's Diary of a Mod Housewife and 1998's Middlescence, albeit with a bit more grit this time around. It's the work of a woman who knows herself and isn't afraid to call attention to her blemishes as well as her beauty. --Steven Stolder
kbh@higherlove.com | South Euclid, OH USA | 10/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A strong follow-up to Middlescene on which Amy shows a lot of range. From the "begging-to-be-a-single" BALLS to the wry CYNICALLY YOURS, she has maintained her trademark ability to observe the trials of love ruthlessly while still making you laugh. Neat trick, that. Check out her web-only release "Keep It To Yourself"..."
A desert island record
David R McConnaughey | Pittsboro, NC United States | 02/24/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beginning w/ the Shams and working her way through 3 solo cds, Amy Rigby's songs have glittered wittily amongst the debris which comprises the typical "singer/songer" (male or female)oeuvre over the last couple of decades. Her latest, The Sugar Tree, stands out, even compared to the high standards set by Mod Housewife, in both the consistency of the song quality conjoined w/ the wide variety of styles. And the ace in the hole which makes the cd especially fine is the wonderful backing band led by superb guitarist Will Kimbrough whose empathetic support provides just the right touches all the way through..From hints of the Who on the openening "Wait till I get you home," to quoting the Troggs! on "Balls", on to shades of VU on the lovely closing ballad "Sleeping with the Moon" and touching gracefully on classic roots from Woodstock to Nashville en route on the songs in between, everthing works..My 17 year old son appropriated my first copy to take back to school; a 48 year old woman friend whom i gave a copy to recently said the cd made her week; now i'm back at ..., buying a couple more copies, both for myself and to give away...btw "Wait till i get you home" NEEDS to be on the radio, country, adult, wherever..... Maybe buying a copy to give away along with one's own can break this cd properly???? (added parenthetical suggestion)"
Unlikely to Make a Bad Record
WrtnWrd | Northridge, CA USA | 03/06/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Three CDs on in her haphazard solo career, Amy Rigby seems as unlikely to make a bad record as she does to make a successful one. Her roots rock anchors whatever makeshift band she's fronting, but it's her basic honesty as a woman and a writer that limits her commercial scope. Just this much cheese on The Sugar Tree and she'd write a hit for herself or more likely another shallower singer (Mary Chapin Carpenter, anyone?). Rigby must be dairy intolerant, `cause cheese ain't nowhere to be found in her tough, funny, achingly honest songs of the struggles of lower-middle-class single mothers, their man troubles, and their brief, bittersweet respites. The Diary of a Mod Housewife is first and freshest, Middlescence more desperate about the cash crunch, but it's The Sugar Tree that's her finest moment so far. Though money troubles and age are her great subjects, I wish her success enough to stop shopping at Goodwill. I mean, look, she's still going to get older!"
Honest, gutsy, superb neo-country
Daniel R Barnett | Dallas, TX United States | 02/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Okay, you know the image presented by some famous female C&W artists. Overproduced tracks, hair extensions, photo sessions in tie-dyed panties, on-stage theatrics that eclipse any genuine talent, and cowboy hats in colors and styles that Resistol and Stetson wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. If none of this sounds appealing to you, then welcome to THE SUGAR TREE, Amy Rigby's third CD release.Amy shows a surprising mixture of vulnerability and tough-as-nails attitude on this compilation, which mixes mainstream country with folk, rock, and blues influences. Romantic tracks such as MAGICIANS and WAIT TILL I GET YOU HOME sitting right beside anthems of frustration like BALLS and RODE HARD, which a lot of middle-aged female country fans can probably relate to very well. Do not pass up CYNICALLY YOURS under any circumstances; you'll love this quirky ode to love and cynicism.This artist deserves some serious radio airplay. Until that happens, buy this CD. It wouldn't hurt to give it to your wife or girlfriend. She'll probably love you for it - and she might even let you borrow it from time to time."