Search - Sugarbomb :: Bully

Listen to your Amazon recommendations!

Jeff Hodges | Denton, TX United States | 10/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Last summer, it became obvious that I needed a fresh power pop injection. As musically interesting as it can be, too much prog-rock and fusion can be socially alienating. After watching "Bully" come up high on my recommendation list for six months, and listening to only the title track, I took the plunge and gave it a try. Again, I have to sing the praises of the Amazon recommendation system. Bully is a nearly perfect pop album that has stood up to many, many listenings and won over many new fans since last summer.The analogy that many reviewers have made to Queen is very appropriate overall. Although not as orchestral in scope as Queen generally were, the attention to vocal harmony and theatric quality of Sugarbomb's approach is unmistakably influenced by Queen. There is also an obvious Beatles influence, perhaps by way of Queen. However, it is extremely important to note that Sugarbomb is in no way derivative. These classic influences are tempered by sounds that clearly define them as a late-`90's group. "Motormouth" deftly mixes a McCartneyesque verse with punky Blink-182 drums and singsong whiteboy rap in the style that Third Eye Blind popularized a couple of years ago. Like Jellyfish, Chomsky, Ben Folds Five, and other great modern pop groups, they are both unique and familiar.In previous reviews I have stated that the component of modern power pop music that is really the most challenging is the lyrics. They have to be accessible and meaningful, but not cheesy or derivative. Over the past thirty years, the standard for cleverness has become impossibly high. Well-crafted and honest lyrics can make a good pop album into a possible classic. Sugarbomb really excels is in this department. Even on the one or two not-so great songs (because they are all at least good - very little filler), the lyrics are extremely accessible. They are intelligent enough to consistently make a point, but never serious enough to alienate the listener. Although I bought "Bully" solely because I fell in love with its title track, and think that "Motormouth" is possibly a personal classic, there are several other songs that will most likely have you singing along in no time. "What a Drag", "Posterchild for Tragedy", "Mail-Order Girlfriend", and "Hello" are all 9 on a 10 scale. A couple of songs are not quite as musically engaging, like "Over", "Clover", and the super-Queeny "After All", but even these have really good lyrics.It's a crying shame that the music industry continually destroys bands like these. It seems obvious from the great presentation (cover art really is quite clever) that someone had big plans for this group. Yeah, it's out of print and it seems the band is no longer around. All the more reason to pick it up used as soon as possible.The lowdown: If you have been thinking about going to stay at a condo on the beach with a really loud stereo, this is your album. Pretty much everyone will like something about it. Its energetic and fun, and actually holds up extremely well under repeated listenings."

Loaded with Talent : )

D | Chicago, IL | 06/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I work for a radio station here in Chi-town & I first heard these guys after finding their cd in the throw away bin at work. (Sadly a pretty typical pile for new artists.) Of course we never played them - we all know big corporate radio is all about playing it SAFE. The same 10 or 12 songs over & over & over... Same deal with Big studio movies - they aren't better because they don't have to be - they still can make their billions selling mediocre stuff.
But on to Sugarbomb - what a pleasure to listen to these guys & a shame they're not together anymore. Nicely layered rich tracks, lovely vocals (yup Beatles, Crowded House etc.) and who doesn't respect a band who loves Queen? You won't be skipping songs with this one and you can pick up Bully at unbelivable price, when there's so many no talents out there at two and three times the cost! I'm still at a loss as to why talent has so little to do with making it in this world..."

Power pop heaven

Michael Paulsen | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA | 01/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys should be huge ... here's hoping they get noticed. If you enjoy the new Weezer album, then BULLY is a must. This quintet out of Texas will knock your power pop socks off with their barrage of hooks, crunchy guitars and tight harmonies. They're a bit like a revisitation of Jellyfish's retro sound ... those elements of Beatles, ELO, Queen, Sweet, 10CC, etc. It's great knowing there is still genuine, quality pop music being made in the wake of manufactured teen pop, carbon copy Blink 182 bands and obligatory rap-metal hybrids. You won't regret this purchase if you're a lover of power pop. Don't judge a band's success based on -- god forbid -- the airwaves."