Sugarcult - 'Start Static' (Epitaph)
3/5
By: Toby L
Can someone please explain where the 'punk' in pop-punk is exactly? Admittedly, not counting a couple of spiky haircuts, 'Start Static', is about as rebellious as getting along with your parents and handing in your homework on time. All that seems to remain of any punk ethic is a love of the trusty 'there is no fourth chord' rule. Pop qualities, however, it has in abundance - the songs about girls, the unashamedly commercial stature, the contagious hooks... Oh, and some undeniably well-honed songs as well.
This US four-piece have mastered the art of the tune, that's for sure; this, Sugarcult's debut album, is simply loaded with a remarkable (but also at times predictable) multitude of teenybopper-pleasers. Opener 'You're The One' illustrates their gift perfectly - thrashing power-chords, harmonised vocals and simply a strong song. Its honesty also has to be admired; berate these guys for being fake punks and they'll happily admit to 'selling out to make another million'.
Not exactly one for the purists then. All the essentials of great pop-punk though, are covered with style. There's much lyrical attention to the critical topics of the genre, those being bored with your hometown (perfected on 'Stuck In America') and girls. And, bloody hell, there are a lot of songs about girls - good-looking girls, girls who make you go crazy with love, girls who don't get on with their dads... the list goes on. But what do you expect from a band who named themselves after a group of lesbians that they used to know from college? The female obsession is obviously something pretty close to the band's heart.
At least they're sincere with it. There's a heartfelt touch to every single song and no overemphasis of juvenile humour which separates them from the comparatively childish likes of Blink 182 and Sum 41. What stops them from soaring is an ever so slight hint of this all being a little workmanlike as it runs its course; although the likes of 'Crashing Down' and 'How Does It Feel' do, of course, contain the instantly memorable chorus and simple but effective melody Sugarcult value so highly, by this time it's all becoming more than a little repetitive. Three chords? Check. Singing that chorus already? Check. And, hang on, wasn't that a song about a girl..?
Of course it was. Sure, it's going through the motions, but at least this is a band that seems to be enjoy doing it. They're still bashing those effortless riffs and jumping as high at the end of the album as they did at the beginning. Visual proof of said acrobatic skill is actually provided in the plush surroundings of the accompanying bonus DVD, with promotional videos, bonus tracks and tour-bus shenanigans in abundance. In one section, the band talks about their ambitions for 'Start Static' - apparently intended to be up there with AC/DC and Weezer's debuts. Needless to say by now, it isn't, but it's an admirable effort all the same.
Much as you may want to, there is absolutely no reason to not like Sugarcult. However, sadly, we're not yet quite convinced we should fall in love with them either. In its raw basics, via 'Start Static' you've got an album of great tunes that'll make you drunkenly brawl along, whilst prompt kids to jump around, and that's about it. But, for Sugarcult, that's a job very well done.
Artists in this article: Sugarcult
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