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Sugarland Enjoy The Ride Review by Gary Hill You have to give credit to anyone who bucks popular styles and does their own thing. Such is the case with Sugarland. While so much country music these days is ruled by pop music and is part of the mixed together slush that gets played on the radio, Sugarland stays more true to their country roots and with this disc have produced a piece of music that has plenty of ties to old traditions. Still, they manage to bring a new approach to the table and at times rock out, while at other points seem like a country version of the Indigo Girls. All in all, this is a solid disc that showcases talented musicians playing out their passions. This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2007 Volume 1 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review

Settlin' They lead off the set with an uptempo country stomper that serves quite well in the position. This one gets quite crunchy.

County Line This time around it’s something much closer to a hoedown. A more stripped down arrangement and a fiddle-based sound creates a more traditional texture.

Want To It seems like the ballad usually comes in slot number three – on just about any kind of album. That’s certainly the case here. They seem to handle the country ballad as well as anyone and put in a good one here.

Everyday America Feeling rather unexpected – this is still a balladic piece, the music on this one is more pop rock, but the vocal performance maintains the country sound of the album.

Happy Ending This time around we get a bit more up tempo piece, but the musical texture is still more acoustic, giving a melodic texture. This is another solid cut on a disc that has plenty of good material. The chorus on this one is particularly strong.

These Are The Days This slower tempoed number is quite evocative and while another that’s rather in the mode of a ballad is also one of the standouts on show here.

One Blue Sky Very much in a down home approach, this is another country ballad. When it turns to the more energized segment there is a definite 1970’s mellow arena rock texture to it.

April Showers The most gentle sounds of the whole disc make up this cut. Even so it’s still bluesy and quite strong.

Mean Girls This stripped down arrangement is kind of “redneck rawk” with a real punker sort of feel to it. It’s a smoking rocker and a highlight of the disc. If it wasn’t for the vocals this one could fit on any number of hard rock or punk band discs. It’s a lot of fun.

Stay Here’s another bluesy sort of mellow ballad. It’s a sparse arrangement, but quite powerful – with all that strength coming from the vocal performance.

Sugarland One part classic old school country and one part Heart ballad, this one is another highlight of the disc. It’s a great way to end the disc and rocks out pretty well before it ends.

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