"Start Static" is Sugarcult's quintessential debut, originally released in August 2001. It delivered three smash radio singles: "Bouncing Off The Walls", "Stuck In America", and "Pretty Girl (The Way)", three music videos,... more » and sold 350,000 copies. "Pretty Girl" has had recent play on MTV's "Laguna Beach" show, skyrocketing online sales from 300 per week to over 8,000 per week. The band has toured several times with Green Day, Blink 182, and Jimmy Eat World. With the November 15th release of "Back To the Disaster - A Film About Sugarcult" DVD, now is the perfect time to replenish stock on this title. The band's third full-length is due out in the spring of 2006.« less
"Start Static" is Sugarcult's quintessential debut, originally released in August 2001. It delivered three smash radio singles: "Bouncing Off The Walls", "Stuck In America", and "Pretty Girl (The Way)", three music videos, and sold 350,000 copies. "Pretty Girl" has had recent play on MTV's "Laguna Beach" show, skyrocketing online sales from 300 per week to over 8,000 per week. The band has toured several times with Green Day, Blink 182, and Jimmy Eat World. With the November 15th release of "Back To the Disaster - A Film About Sugarcult" DVD, now is the perfect time to replenish stock on this title. The band's third full-length is due out in the spring of 2006.
"The first song I heard by these guys was "Stuck in America", which prompted me into thinking that the punk scene was being toned down considerably. Then I heard "Bouncing off the Walls" and "How Does it Feel" and I thought that perhaps I was wrong. But it wasn't until I heard "Pretty Girl" that I realized the great coincidence.
See, the songs I had downloaded off the band's Ultimatum Records debut were the punk-ish songs. Of the 12 tracks, 5 were fast-paced and short. I happened to download 4 of those 5. The rest were songs that were completely reminiscent of Gin Blossoms. Seriously. But, despite the tone I might convey as I write this, this is not a bad thing. Hey, I like Gin Blossoms.
So yes, those four songs can be deceptive. I guess one could accuse the band of not having a particular identity, but if you're as open as I am regarding music then this shouldn't be a problem. The album's opener, "You're the One", an incredibly hyper romp through teen obsessions and spontaneous bursts of emotion, is everything but similar to the album's closer, "I Changed My Name", which can easily be compared to Collective Soul or Silverchair's older ballads. Then we have twin songs "Every Beautiful Day" and "Saying Goodbye", which are easily the catchiest pop rock songs I have heard recently. Sure, the guitars are distorted, but they easily evoke memories of the Refreshments and the Verve Pipe.
If you've seen Van Wilder then you're familiar with the song "Bouncing off the Walls". It's faster than the rest of the album, and at times can sound a little pretentious or obnoxious (like Midtown at times). The album does not resemble this song (with the exception of "You're the One" and "How Does it Feel"). If you want to see the difference at its greatest, download any of the aforementioned songs and pair it up with "Lost in You" (which could easily be the closest they get to being a Gin Blossoms cover band). Seriously, this last song just screams "Allison Road" or "Mrs. Rita".
I like the band. I really do. The songs that I've mentioned are great and will ring in your ears incessantly. My point is: don't be fooled into thinking that they're another punk band, because I wouldn't exactly call them that. Sure, some songs can be fast and punk-ish, but on the whole, they're another pop rock band with an occasional harder edge.
Recommendations: "Hate Every Beautiful Day", "Bouncing off the Walls", "Saying Goodbye", "Pretty Girl", "I Changed My Name"
Little Side Note: The hidden track on the album is astounding. If you want to download it, search for either "Bonus Track" or "Neil Rocks My World" (the actual song title). Quite possibly the most underrated song I've heard yet. Absolutely amazing."
An underrated new talent
Nancy E. | USA | 01/30/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Recently America has faced a constant barrage of pop-punk bands and artists. Some of them are extremely talented and are worth every minute of your time. Others aren't. Unfortunately with all that's out there the really talented bands often get forgotten in the shuffle. It looks like that's what might happen to Sugarcult, a new extremely talented band that does not get the credit it deserves. First off, unlike some other bands this day, the lead singer, Tim, has a decent voice and he knows how to use it. As a vocalist I often find myself cringing when I listen to rock CDs but I don't do that all too often while listening to it. The songs are bubbly, happy, and nearly perfect. Sure. It's not a perfect CD but very few are. Here's a break down of the tracks1. You're the one- A fast paced rock tune that really kicks the album off. It's a kind of song you'll find yourself humming long after you've turned your CD player off. 5/5 stars.2. Stuck in America- Another great fast paced song that I can very much relate to. 5/5 stars.3. Hate Every beautiful Day- Although not as good as the first two this pop punk song is still worth listening to. 4/5 stars4. Bouncing off the walls- A song that gives off the feeling that it was created by an impatient kid on an ADD trip. And for once that style works. One of the best songs of the CD 5/5 stars.5. Saying good-bye- A decent song with great alliteration in the lyrics (yes. That's poetry I know but they do a good job with it here too). 4/5 stars6. Daddy's little Defect- Another good solid fast song. It's something you can dance to. 5/5 stars7. Lost in You- A good ballad but nothing special. 3/5 stars8. Pretty Girl- Another good solid song. 4/5 stars.9. Crashing Down- The next ballad on the CD that's just as good as Lost in you 4/5 stars.10. How Does it Feel- Just a great fast song. Nothing serious in here, just a good song. 5/5 stars.11. I Changed my name- Has some of the best lyrics on the CD here. A truly exceptional ballad that shows the bands softer side. 5/5 stars.I'd recommend this CD to fans of pop/punk rock. I'll admit it, because of the way it lingers between pop and punk it's not for the people into only harder rock or people who are into pop music like Avril Lavigne. But if you're a fan of bands like Good Charlotte or Simple plan, or you're just looking for something new, I'd recommend this."
Good debut
Rex Marksmanson | Long Island, New York | 06/17/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sugarcult is a pop-punk band that knows what they're doing. Their songs are structured and ear catching, and they posses a sound that's all their own. Yes, you can believe what you just read, a pop-punk band with a unique sound, not something they stole from another band (Hm, Sum41 perhaps?). This album as a whole comes off very strong, with tracks that can go punch for punch with the best of them. Songs such as "You're the one" and "Stuck in America" really kick things off with a bang. Other great songs that follow are "Bouncing off the walls", "Daddy's little defect" and "Pretty Girl".I couldn't find anything negative about "Start Static", which has solidified the band in the pop-punk scene. Hopefully Sugarcult can come out with something more jaw dropping on their next release. But, none of the less this is a great album to get the band on their feet. Nothing really good or bad to point out musically, the guitar work is pretty basic which is of course what you would expect of a pop-punk band. The same comment would apply well to the rest of the band.Overall, pop-punk fans and rock fans alike will both enjoy this release, pick it up."
Great stuff from Sugarcult
Jeffrey Kelley | Okemos, MI USA | 12/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While I like this album, and I like Sugarcult, it left me wanting something more. Maybe it's because there's only 11 tracks, or maybe it's the tracks themselves, it just seems like something's missing. Either way, here's the track-by-track analysis:1. "You're The One"
At first listen, this song seems promising, delivering a catchy chorus and nice rythm. And then, it just... ends. 1:50 is a little short for a good song.2. "Stuck In America"
If you've seen the movie 'National Lampoon's Van Wilder', then you know this song. It's not a bad song, but the hundredth time, it gets old. It should be renamed "Stuck In Your Head", because that's EXACTLY what happens. Good song, nonetheless.3. "Hate Every Beautiful Day"
This is where the album gets going. A nice introductory riff leads into a song that almost sounds like Lit rather than Sugarcult... this track is a great listen and would make a good single.4. "Bouncing Off The Walls"
The smash radio hit that got everyone addicted to Sugarcult in the first place, "Bouncing Off The Walls" has a happy-go-lucky feel to it that's impossible to resist. You'll listen to it over and over again, and that's a fact!5. "Saying Goodbye"
A slower version of "Stuck In America", this track sneaks up on you and gets you nodding your head before you even realize it.6. "Daddy's Little Defect"
My personal favorite of the album, "Daddy's Little Defect" is an anthem for horny guys (yet I repeat myself) everywhere. "Wasting all your time, going all the way..."7. "Lost In You"
After the speed of "Daddy's Little Defect", listening to "Lost In You" is like getting off of a roller coaster and getting on a trolly. Not to knock the track itself, I just think the placement on the CD could have been a bit better.8. "Pretty Girl (The Way)"
After hearing this song on the radio a couple dozen times, I became hooked. While vastly different from everything else on this CD, it has its own style - more deliberate, methodical, and emotional than the rest of the album. Excellent song.9. "Crashing Down"
Reminiscent in lyrical content to "Daddy's Little Defect", this song is especailly nice to listen to for the broken-hearted, which includes about 75% of the teenage population in this country. Slow and sad, just as it should be.10. "How Does It Feel"
Picking things up again, this song sounds almost exactly like "Stuck In America", just with different lyrics and slight differences in tempo and melody. There's the same feel to the chorus, which may just be the way Tim Pagnotta (Sugarcult's lead singer) sings.11. "I Changed My Name"
Slower than everything else on this album "I Changed My Name" sounds like another artist, not Sugarcult. In my opinion, this song is the weak point of the CD - it's more boring than it is anything else.After listening to the album, the thoughts that come to mind are "That's it?" There is definately room for more tracks here, and I would have been a lot more impressed with more material."
Pretty darn good
Zach Hobbs | Ballston Spa, NY United States | 08/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"mmhm. now i see that comparos to the ever endless line of post punk power pop not so good bands (blink, sum 41, new found glory) are very populer. i see them and i dont. yeah...they have that mentality. but they inject a couple gallons of talent into the deal. 70's originality, insightful lyrics, good instrumentation, rock radio sounds. very listenable, overall. there isn't a looser in this crowd...but as with most albums there are standouts. now...my favorite is pretty girl. the guitars, cracking vocals, powerful lyric work, and so forth mix to create an addictive song. i changed my name is also balladish but stands out for its oomph. stuck in america, bouncing off the walls, you're the one, lost in you are also super. if not A+, the rest of the songs are all really good, as well. so all that ... said, buy this cd. i dont think it would even disappoint the most staunch of power pop haters...as long as they have an open mind going into it. otherwise they dont deserve to know about this 40 minute package o goodness. buy it you won't regret it. i promise."