CD Review – ‘The Incredible Machine’ – Sugarland
14 years ago Liv Carter 2
The Incredible Machine – Sugarland (UMG Nashville, 2010)
Last year, Sugarland caused a stir when the creative duo announced they had let themselves be inspired by Steampunk for the new album and tour. Never ones to stick to the country radio format, some feared the two may be taking things too far. First single ‘Stuck Like Glue’ had radio programmers reaching for the scissors and send out an unauthorized edit sans the reggae breakdown. After listening to The Incredible Machine I could not help but wonder what those programmers were going to say when they realized that ‘Stuck Like Glue’ was perhaps the most “country” of these songs. Yes, the departure from previous material is often that dramatic.
While they were still in the studio, Sugarland said of the new record that they were trying to find new ways of playing with Jennifer’s voice and that they talked about what kind of music they would record if they didn’t feel the need to stick to a format. The result is, perhaps predictably, not a country album. And I mean that in a really no country music or even influences at all.
My main issue with The Incredible Machine, however, isn’t the lack of country but that the ‘playing with the voice’ and being influenced by others seems to have turned into ‘copying others’ styles’.
The album opens with ‘All We Are’ which sounds like a Kings of Leon cast-off. ‘Tonight’, with an absolutely soaring vocal performance by Jennifer, is just an 80’s Melissa Etheridge rock ballad with a chorus consisting of the line ‘Tonight I’m waiting for the night’.
Nobody wants to hear four albums filled with different versions of ‘Baby Girl’ but I do expect more from Sugarland than disposable Top 40 pop like ‘Every Girl Like Me’, or the especially annoying ‘Find the Beat Again’ which sounds like a British X-Factor-creation complete with copying the drawn-out vowels.
The good news comes when the music isn’t allowed to get quite so over the top. Less is more. The title track is all pumping rhythm with a sprinkling of piano and floaty vocals providing a great contrast. The song is the reason for the mention of Steampunk. It’s simple yet big and bold, and comes with creative imagery-rich lyrics.
On ‘Stand Up,’ Kristian shares the vocal duties and the song emphatically reminds us to speak up about the important things. The song delivers its message with the help of a basic drum and guitar arrangement, perfect harmonies and soothing lyrics like ‘when your hope has turned to dust/let the sound of love surround you/beat like a heart in each of us.’
Sharing the ‘it will be okay’-message are ‘Little Miss,’ reminding us to hang on during the tough times, and outstanding album closer ‘Shine the Light,’ which consists of nothing but piano, emotionally involved vocals and an ode to love and hope.
On The Incredible Machine, it’s the uncluttered, uncomplicated songs that save the day.
The Incredible Machine will be in stores October 19.
Disclosure of material connection for this review.
Liv Carter
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
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