SUGARCULT
Start Static (Artemis)
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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This is a jumpin little CD of excellent power pop, the first by the Santa Barbara based quartet Sugarcult. It jumps on your throat right from the start and keeps punching for a solid 40 minutes. Only the hidden track has any acoustic guitar. Best played loud, which I happily did and enjoyed every minute of it.

Armed with "4 guys, 3 chords, 2 guitars and 1 van," how can you go wrong? They claim a heritage of Nirvana and Blink 182, but I keep hearing a sound more like the first album by the Knack in what they do. Sometimes they even wear suits like the Knack used to, but their attitude is much more punk. Guitarist Tim Pagnotta penned all the songs and his vocals combine well with bassist Airin and drummer Ben Davis. Marko 72 is too busy banging out outrageous lead licks to sing, I assume.

I could wax philosophical about the meaning of anthems like "Stuck In America," but I'm too busy doing a brash pogo to it to analyze it for you. Likewise for "You're the One." Each one's a testimony to the frustration of love, mostly addressed to the girl causing the pain, like "How Does It Feel?," "Daddy's Little Defect" and "Saying Goodbye." Something nobody will ever relate to. Not! Others seem to be the non-involved boyfriend talking directly to the girl about her boy problems.

Start Static commands your attention and leaves you wanting more, rather like pure white sugar does. Great stuff. I'm addicted.

© 2001 - Rusty Pipes