The Sugarcubes
Stick Around for Joy

THE REVIEW

The Sugarcubes ("sugar cubes") were the first Icelandic band to make a name for themselves abroad, securing a decent market share. Formed in 1988 as the culmination of various experiences in local new-wave groups, they garnered attention with several singles featuring the shrill and thin voice of Bjork Gudmundsdottir. Good reviews in England and the response from the indie audience paved the way for their first LP "Life's Too Good" in 1988, followed by a successful tour in Europe and the United States. They then signed with Elektra, without abandoning the small One Little Indian.

The following year saw the release of "Here Today, Tomorrow, Next Week", while in 1992 this "Stick Around For Joy" came out, still with intelligent and quirky pop, not always perfectly executed, but sometimes with very successful solutions.

Arrangements sometimes lean more towards rock, as in "Leash Called Love" and "Vitamin", perhaps one of the best moments of the entire album. Lighter guitar tracks like "Hit" and the more effective "Walkabout" are not lacking, nor are tracks with interesting structures like "Lucky Night". "Happy Nurse" takes on the tone of a nursery rhyme, while "Chihuahua" is colored with funk.

All in all, an album with good verve, skeletal rhythmic structures, and a predominance of female vocals. Curious cover with explosive spermatozoa.

With the start of Bjork's solo career, the history of the Sugarcubes comes to an end.