Sugarcult
Lights Out

THE REVIEW

Being all used to associating punkrock with the usual MTV bands like Blink, Offspring, Sum 41, etc., as soon as we come across an LP of this kind, we exclaim: "It'll be the usual cheap pop-rock".

Well, my dear Debaserians, Sugarcult is one of the few (very rare) bands that have managed to survive the "Merchandising" hurricane, even though at first glance, they seem to be a part of it. After "Palm Trees And Power Lines" of 2004 that launched them definitively, Sugarcult returns with "Lights Out", definitely more mature. The CD will be released on September 12th, but I already have it! Needless to emphasize that if you listen to hard rock, heavy metal, and everything hard in the rock world, this CD will make you feel bad both mentally and physically, but, in my opinion, it won’t be appreciated even by those who are "enchanted" by Finley-style hard-pop.

"LIGHTS OUT": It opens with the homonymous Intro, could have been avoided. "Dead Living" is one of the nicest tracks on the album, a very catchy chorus and a very warm voice. Blink and the others seem very, very far away. Sugarcult’s maturity is immediately felt, and this song demonstrates it sensationally. Sound even rougher, but not for this less worthy in "Los Angeles", some have heard influences of "Good Charlotte" in this piece, honestly, I have no idea what kind of substances certain ignorant people have ingested. Here too, the same formula, rough voice, but impacting chorus and homage to the much-loved Los Angeles, a city near Santa Barbara, where the band led by Tim Pagnotta (yes, that's his name), was formed in 1998. After these two great pieces, do not expect an album that continues at these levels.

"Do It Alone" is a very simple piece, too simple, a piece composed yes and no of 3-4 chords and two simple bass lines. However, it is worth listening to. "I don't wanna do it alone", this is the chorus sung by Pagnotta, meaning "I don't want to do it alone" who knows what he wants to imply! The album declines in style with "Explode" and "Out Of Phase", the reason is simple: they could have spared the first one, it's a failed attempt to act tough; they won’t be like Finley, but they are not even Black Sabbath! "Out Of Phase" is practically the same as "Morning Glory" by Oasis, an outrageous plagiarism! The level rises again with "Made A Mistake", of a very high level, a gritty track but never over the top, good job by Airin Older on bass and a good performance by Pagnotta on Vocals. For the rest, a catchy but very simple melody, this is the peculiar feature that characterizes the Californian band. Excellent piece.

The album continues at decent levels, "Riot" and "Majoring In Minors" are a bit too light but still more than adequate. Perhaps it's in the final part that the album "faults" a bit. "Hiatus" represents a closure that feels a lot like "ENOUGH, WE CAN'T GO FURTHER OTHERWISE WE FALL INTO THE WORLD OF FINLEY, BLINK, AND ALL THE MTV FASHIONISTAS!"; the only noteworthy piece in a slightly disappointing ending.

COMMENT: Do not expect a musical maturity of the highest level, nor guitar riffs à la Tom Morello; it’s always 4 simple California guys have been able to make. I don't think this is a CD to buy, but it's a must-have, maybe like I found it, thanks to Emule! Joking aside, Sugarcult wants to show that there's something good in the squalid pop-rock world. Luckily, there is someone who doesn’t sell out.

Really to be taken as an example.