Reviews (page 3 of 7)
Never heard of this group, but I like the album. I'll check out their (few) other albums.
Kinda meh... Kinda cool... should be a 3... but I'm being generous because I feel this could grow on me
Enjoyable
This is simultaneously new to me and 100% what I grew up on. Off to investigate Sugar now. Great find.
I really enjoy Bob Mould's music, but I'm not sure if this many albums by him needs to be on this list especially with how similar they all sound... Relevance to this list: 2/5 Personal enjoyment: 4/5
Love the Bob. King of the soft boys. Husker Du for when you're in your late 30's.
I recently listened to the album "Dust" by Screaming Trees on this 1001 album thing. I had a strange experience with it, it was an album from a band I hadn't heard about ever and when it started, I was convinced it wasn't for me. But over the span of its relatively short runtime, the album grew on me tremendously. I say all that because I feel almost the exact same way about this Sugar album: "Copper Blue" The first four tracks I'd say sort of mesh together into this fuzzy amalgam of generally very enjoyable alternative cuts. I love the vocals here, they're deep and almost drowned and muffled by the droney nature of the guitars here. It's after these first tracks that the album sort of starts to diversify itself quite a bit. "Hoover Dam" is the most instrumentally diverse song here, with soaring guitar solos and nice quaint synth solos. There's something so brisk and open about this song's refrain, almost like a fresh of breath air in a large open field. "The Slim" has a very subtle build-up; by the time the track ends, it's evolved into something beyond life. The lyrics are generally abstract but they help contribute to this epic imagery. I like the poppier "If I Can't Change Your Mind" quite a bit too, it sounds very different than anything else here; it's striking in that way. I will say the final leg of this album is maybe a bit more generic in its sound, and I don't enjoy it as much as the songs that come before it (although I like the catchy closer "Man on the Moon"), but overall really enjoyed my time with this album. Good stuff.
4.5
I really quite enjoyed. Really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did
Really lovely melodic power pop. My only real gripe with ‘Copper Blue’ is that I wish the vocals weren’t so buried in the mix. Often can barely make out what Bob Mould is singing about (it’s something depressing in case you were wondering) without consulting the lyrics. Otherwise, I like this a lot. A strong 4 out of 5.
okay, i liked this a lot more than i remembered, dude has a near peerless command of melody
Really liked this album. My initial thought was "Oh this is when you order REM on Wish" but it held its own. Pleasantly surprised.
Rising from the ashes of hardcore punk and alternative rock band Hüsker Dü, which seemed to be quite well respected for the short time they were around, Sugar’s debut is sort of a departure from the work Bob Mould did with the previous band. I describe this album is Doolittle and Loveless, and their consequences. This is obviously not as rabid as Doolittle, or as crushingly beautiful as Loveless. But if you were to combine aspects of both of them, I feel like this is what you might get. I began my listen by thinking this would be a bad thing. But it really isn’t. This has some solid songs on it. But still overall a pretty average noise pop record that occasionally has some above average guitar work. It does sort of enter nearly indistinguishable lyrics territory, but you can still make out most of them. This is one of those genres, like mid century psychedelic rock, that I can see myself getting sick of. Because once you have heard a lot of it, you have heard most of it. There isn’t that much an artist can change to make it sound super unique. But when a band plays it mostly safe, and releases a satisfactory album that hits most of the right notes like this, I’m cool with it. Rating: 7/10
Heavy melodies Raucous noise nicely arranged Mix of cheese, joy, rock
Initially considered it poor but grew on me as it went on. 4 stars.
Had no idea Bob Mould had this other band. Only seen him live once but loved it. This is a lot more accessible and REM adjacent than I would have expected. Def good to have in an alt rock rotation!
A quality if somewhat unexciting record. I never really got into husker du but I know they were more hardcore than this. It kind of sounds like Bob Mould was aiming for a more mainstream sound (and maybe even a hit). Got big REM and Long Winters vibes. Hoover Dam was really good. I’ll be listening again.
I like this kind of hard edge power pop. Didn't know that Bob Mould had a band between Husker Du and being solo. I'll listen to this one again.
Lots of catchy melodies tucked behind these heavy sounding chords! The way the guitar string was being tugged at the end of “changes” was thrilling. I can’t honestly say I’d relisten to this album but it exceeded my expectations.
Never heard of this band before. I quite liked the album, but nothing really stood out. I'm not a big fan of the muddy wall-of-sound on some of the tracks although I know that this was popular in the 1990's.
4.5
Who is this band? Why have I never heard of them before? The first track, The Act We Act, was a total banger which went straight onto my playlist. Same with Helpless and If I Can't Change Your Mind. The album in general is full of consistent, listenable 90’s American rock, a genre I’m always open to. It gave me some real Better Than Ezra / Gin Blossoms vibes. I just learnt Sugar comprises one of the members of Hüsker Dü, another band I’d never heard of until this project. I didn’t care for Hüsker Dü whereas I thought Sugar had a much more refined sound. I was genuinely surprised how much I enjoyed Copper Blue, especially on first listen. A well-deserved 4/5.
A really good early 90s alt rock record I had never heard before - highly melodic, interesting and gets better with every listen.
"Copper Blue" by Sugar, released in 1992, is a powerful and influential album that blends catchy melodies with raw, emotional lyrics and driving guitar riffs. Led by former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould, Sugar delivers a collection of songs that are both melodic and intense. Tracks like "Helpless," "Changes," and "If I Can't Change Your Mind" showcase Mould's songwriting prowess and the band's ability to create dynamic, hook-laden rock music. While "Copper Blue" is often overshadowed by Mould's earlier work with Hüsker Dü, it stands on its own as a strong and cohesive album. Its blend of punk energy, pop sensibility, and emotional depth make it a standout in the alternative rock genre. Overall, "Copper Blue" is a must-listen for fans of alternative rock and earns a solid 4/5 rating for its memorable songs and powerful performances.
Over all, decent
My personal love of all things Bob Mould is further amplified by the fact that this is the record I discovered him through. Emotion would put this as five star but maturity is there enough to say probably should be a four in reality.
9/10
This one got better as it went along, also my favorite bob mould I've ever heard 4.5
“Not allowed to be horny” 90’s rock was so cool
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: A good idea, Fortune teller
Ok
Niiiice
I've never heard of this album or artist before, so I had no idea what to expect. When "The Act We Act" kicked off, I wasn't a fan at first, but when the chorus kicked in, I really started enjoying it. The guitar was fantastic, and the overall melody was just really enjoyable and fun. It hit me pretty quickly that this album reminded me of a lot of the 'radio alternative' that I liked in the mid to late nineties: The Wallflowers, Gin Blossoms, Matchbox 20, and the many other acts who had a hit or two in the top 40. Sugar, just like those other bands that this album reminded me of, were all branded as rock bands, but they all had some really good pop sensibilities. I can't believe that I never heard "The Act We Act" on the radio as a kid, and it's a shame I didn't, because I would have loved it. The rest of the album was really good too, with "Helpless," "Hoover Dam," and "Fortune Teller" being my other favorite songs on the album. "A Good Idea" wasn't one of my favorite songs on the album, but I liked its Pixies-inspired sound and flow. I found this album to be really enjoyable, and it's definitely something I'd consider returning to some day. Sugar manages to create a really unique alternative rock sound, made even more fun by some really melodic pop influences.
4.5 stars. Great alt rock/power pop with a tinge of grunge. A garage-ier Collective Soul at times, singing voice similar to Blue October. Can be a little repetitive but the fast-paced drive and reasonable run length (45 min) makes for a fun listen. Standout "A Good Idea".
My favorite review of this album here is that it sounds as though you fed an AI every 90's alt-rock album and told it to provide a representative sample. And you know what? I love 90's alt-rock. But Sugar was not in my rotation, and so the nostalgia just isn't quite there. It's fine, and maybe with some added familiarity I'd even like it, but it just sounded too generic on first go. I feel there are so many better 90's albums with stronger senses of identity, that this one could probably have been left off. Still, it's fairly catchy power pop. I can't complain too much. Came very close to giving it a 3, but the more I listen, the more fun I have with it. Ah, screw it, here's your 4.
I really liked this. Not sure how I missed it back then
It's Bob ****in Mould!
Nice
This is an album I think I would have been all over as a 13-14 year old...not sure why it missed my radar at the time. Seems like it made a bigger impact in the UK than the US. Doesn't sound much like Husker Du at all, but I think that is a good thing in this case. 4/5
Such a great 90's record. Bob is a hero. I've tried to get every band I was ever in to cover "Helpless".
A lot of my music taste falls into a genre I like to call “sunroof music”: music that one could easily blast while driving a car with the windows down on a beautiful day. This album fits that description remarkably well. It’s ultra-90s, ultra-sunny, and packed with ultra-powerful guitars. Incredible sunroof music. Man on the vocals does kind of sound like Jake from Adventure Time on The Slim though
3.5+/5
1st time listening to this. It's been on my list of albums to listen to, for years! It was very good. And very 90's which really appealed to me. Great guitar sounds, great drum sounds and the songwriting is very good. I'll be listening again.
A good listen, alternative rock
Really enjoyed this. A great new find for me
Only got around to listening to half of the album. That being said, there are some tasty jams here. Incredible songwriting in what I've heard so far and it hits a realy deep part of my dopamine production when songs flow into the next. Will keep this in my rotation for sure
You know I’ve only ever listened to this once or twice in my life and always thought “well this isn’t Husker Du” but this go round it absolutely floored me.
Melodically driven electric guitars, carrying that grunge heritage, the kind of music that a punk artist would make if they were a bit happier... the album is every bit 90s alternative. Bright but still a bit rebellious, driven hard, but enjoying the straightaways, there is a reason that the 90s resounded so well with listeners who were still old enough to feel a bit disenfranchised by electronically dominated 80s. The album is not so special however, no profound elements found here, but where this album really makes an impact is how it makes the listener feel. It is a break from the complex, a psychological reset letting the brain do easy math by reciting tables. Those are educational reasons to agree with the album being on this list.
Bob Mould's first post-Hüsker Dü album continues the direction of the band's later work with a more alternative forward melodic approach. The music itself has elements of grunge, college rock, punk, and pop. It's an interesting listen as Hüsker Dü was an influence on many of the genres that Sugar employs on this album. With its jangly guitars and emphasis on melody, this album reminds me of REM quite a bit.
It's a fantastic guitar driven 90's album, where beautiful melodies meet heavy guitars.
A really nice follow up to Husker... I wish the production was crisper. Hart was a better songwriter...
It's not the most revolutionary album I've ever heard, but it's got that early 90s sound that I have a sweet spot for and it sticks to it consistently throughout the record. The sound is the perfect cross between the heavier shoegaze of the early 90s like Ride, Catherine Wheel, etc. and the poppier college rock that dominated the whole decade. All in all, I just really liked the album, although I don't think I can get to 5 stars since it didn't totally blow me away
Lekkah!
Really enjoyed this new find. A Good Idea, Helpless, Hoover Dam and Fortune Teller me favorites.
Had an abbreviated listen but a couple of tracks sounded good.
I remember hearing about Bob Mould's new band back in the 90's but never really sought them out and promptly kind of forgot about them. But I like this a lot; it's kind of living in the space between a post-grunge sound and pop SoCal punk sound. Similar to Dinosaur Jr., it's a guitar player's album with lots of great hooks, noodles, and cool pedal tones. Pretty apparent that it's fun music to play, and it's fun to listen to as well.
Will always be more of a Du guy, but this is still neat classic alt rock. Earns its place here. B-
My only main complaint is the production is super muddy, but I'm familiar with Husker Du so it's not all that surprising. I can hear things in here that would be expanded on through the 90s, including Failure ("The Slim") and Harvey Danger's brand of sarcastic, skuzzy alt-rock ("A Good Idea"). There's even nods to Handel, I think ("Hoover Dam"). Call it a strong 3.5, light 4. Favorite tracks: "Fortune Teller", "Hoover Dam", "Changes", "Man On The Moon"
Sometimes the most straightforward records are the most impactful. After spending hours on this project willing myself to enjoy certain songs, understand the movements of an entire genre, contextualise every creative choice just to decide whether or not I like something, it’s refreshing to hear something so bracing, direct and (most of all) unexpectedly catchy. Sugar is an offshoot side project of Husker Du, from songwriter and vocalist Bob Mould. “Copper Blue” is their first album, and it’s mostly gold. It brought Mould the most mainstream success he’d ever had, mostly due to “Nevermind” opening the gates for his particular style and sound. Supposedly more melodic and less heavy than Husker Du’s output, the album’s stuffed with a full-bodied production: riffs of metallic sunshine, meteoric drums, vocals cutting like buzz saws through the noise. It’s loud, loaded and lively all the way. There’s a pretty transparent (but fun) homage to Pixies’ “Debaser” with “A Good Idea” (I misheard “sometimes I’m best left alone” as “sometimes I bust my commode”). “Changes” is a little on the lengthy side but boasts a chiming chorus and dexterous lead guitar work. Then “Hoover Dam”, my favourite track and the pinnacle of “Copper Blue”, modulates all over the place but delivers a standout hook of the album in its outro, Mould’s vocal rising into a glorious falsetto. Just as we think we’ve pinned Sugar down, “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” suddenly comes jangling in like it’s always been woven into music’s history: it’s a 60’s throwback treat which could have easily come from the Byrds. And the ending track, “Man on the Moon”, is genuinely anthemic, with an inspired use of pregnant pauses. “The Slim”, “Fortune Teller” and “Slick” are the only tracks which don’t quite hold up, and the perfect alchemy of grunge and pop-rock slips a little. But aside from that? Solid, slamming and oh-so-easy to love.
Catchy, feel like I heard these songs on the 90s radio all the time.
Nice finding. It's kinda like foo fighters...
A new one for me but enjoyable 90s alt rock. Worth a revisit. Stand out tracks - A good Idea - Helpless (although it sounds very familiar to "Runaground" by James
Although I didn’t think I knew this band, they had a very familiar sound to me…perhaps they sound like other bands that I have heard of. Regarding their sound, it is not a style that I seek out, but it was appealing. I didn’t mind listening at all.
Not familiar with this at all. I absolutely loved a couple of tracks and enjoyed most of the rest.
This album is on the brighter side of grunge with its catchy hooks and inclusion of synthesizer (see “Hoover Dam”). I think I would have really enjoyed this back in the 90s. Today it doesn’t quite hit me between the musical eyes but still very good.
When I was a kid I used to wear a t-shirt with this album on it. The lad who sat behind the counter at the local shop used to mock me for wearing it. He used to say "Sugar fan!" in a deeply whiney voice which exposed him as a little prick. Neither of us knew much about this album (I suspect he knew nothing at all) but I got into it properly later. Anyway, he was a prick, and I'm not, so I win.
Cool.
I remember when this came out, my first semester of college. I was really into it. Even though I was a bigger fan of Mould’s Hüsker Dü, this was one of many great “alternative albums that dropped between 91-97 or so, where a lot of underground acts from the previous 20 years got their day in the sun., & it’s easy for so many of them to get lost in the shuffle. So happy it’s back in…
I hadn't heard of Sugar, I'd only heard of Hüsker Dü last year because their album on 1001 (which I enjoyed a lot) ... and I quite enjoyed this album too! Clichéd as it may be, can't shake the thought I'd heard these songs on those 90s teen shows, 90210, Melrose Place, et al.
Man, this is some good 90s rock. Not grunge, not pop, just easy going 90s rock that will stand the test of time. Bob Mould, a favorite of my online writer Drew Magary, left Husker Du to start this band Sugar. Here's what drew wrote about this album for GQ: "Anyway, I loved “Your Favorite Thing” but again failed to do my diligence and go spelunking down the Bob Mould/Sugar/Hüsker Dü rabbithole. It wasn’t until I transferred colleges and my new roommate Kevin played Sugar’s Copper Blue album on a loop when the light finally went on and I realized that I had discovered my favorite artist of all time. I spent my ensuing college years doing nothing but listening to Copper Blue and playing Super Mario 64. All while drunk. I regret nothing." I really liked the song Changes, Helpless and If I Can't Change Your Mind. A replayable album.
Completely new to me. I'm having difficulty placing this album. I'm hearing what sounds like so many other bands - a heavier version of REM, with a dash of Pixies... If I Can't Change Your Mind set the Mould for a bunch of Barenaked Ladies stuff. Fortune Teller sounds like Foo Fighters. Is this is an early example of 90's alt rock that set the tone for things to come? Or is it just a hodge-podge of all of the other bands of the time? I can't tell, but I'm guessing the former. The 5+ minute songs drag on a bit. They feel like they've said all they need to say long before the run time is up. Hoover Dam gets points for varying the sound a bit, but loses them again for going on too long. I can see how this made the list. It feels emblematic of a lot of 90's alt-rock. A bit middle of the road for me. Standout tracks: A Good Idea, The Slim, Man On The Moon 3.75/5
Hey, this is pretty fun! I'm actually moderately surprised that I've never come across it before. Yes - it is 1990s. That's fine for me. Sounds quite like what my mates who were in bands played in the early 90s, exception obviously with slightly more skill. Plugging my way through the "mop-up" of albums I'd not gotten around to previously, and this is one of those pleasant surprises that makes me very glad it wasn't just the terrible stuff that I skipped.
Really enjoyed this - having never heard anything about it before. Will definitely revisit, and check out some other Bob Mould stuff while I’m at it.
i've got to listen to more Husker Du
This is a stereotypical 90s alternative album but also has really killer guitar work. The vocals and overall vibes could be found in any album like this but the heavy instrumentals make it more exciting and fun to listen to. Helpless and slick were my favorite tracks.
A classic
Never heard of this band before. At the beginning were the familiar and comforting sounds of early 90's alt rock. My one initial complaint was that the music was the same volume or louder than the lead singer's and it drowned out the words. However as the album progressed, I really started enjoying this quite a bit. I'll definitely be giving this another listen and maybe even check out their other discography.
A record to enjoy from the beginning to the end, also characterized by a stunning sound. This is definitely a perfect album in order to have some fun.
A great album
How in the Sam Hill do I not know this group, this album? I love Husker Du and Bob Mould. My world is shaken in such a good way. It sounds as if many of the 1990s alterna-rock warriors copied a lot of this album. I hear Gin Blossoms. I hear Third Eye Blind. I hear Collective Soul. I hear Sum 41. Bob Mould is a gift.
Bob Mould and company have a real gift for songcraft that I don't think I fully appreciated at the time this album came out. Mould never really got the credit he deserved for building the bones of all the music that came after him, but that's frequently the case with those who arrive early to the party. Musically, the band has a great buzzsaw burn of a sound, with a well-placed, economical use of distortion. But it's perfectly melodic as well and surprisingly catchy. That's an impressive balance that a lot of alternative bands never really captured as adeptly. Lyrically, there's a gloominess here that you kind of expect in this genre, but more with a deep sense of resignation and pathos than with anger. This is really excellent, something I want to just throw on repeat for a while. Fave Songs: Helpless, A Good Idea, The Slim, If I Can't Change Your Mind, Hoover Dam, Slick
Awfully good and the ear-candy effect has aged quite well indeed. Who doesn't love Bob Mould? The first half-dozen tracks amount to one sustained banger – and it's fun, too. One finds "Helpless" to be the favorite, but really likes them all. The second side drags just a touch, but overall this is impossible not to like – and a lot, too.
Hoe is het mogelijk, weer een album uit de 90s waar ik nog nooit van gehoord had. Als ik zo wat dingen erover opzoek, is het een min of meer in de vergetelheid geraakt album. De zanger is bekend van Husker Du en dat is een soort van cultklassieker qua band. Zo'n aparte naam blijft ook weer beter hangen dan Sugar natuurlijk. En bovendien is die muziek veel beter, al is het wel minder toegankelijk dan deze poprockliedjes. Zitten wel een paar verborgen pareltjes tussen denk ik. Ik ga het vaker luisteren. Tot nu toe een prima 3, maar vanwege Husker Du krijgt het bonuspunten. Ik moet wel even pochen met mijn obscure muziekkennis natuurlijk na die rant van Eric over the Beatles. :-P
Such richness of soul, groove and funkiness that so much of contemporary pop music is put to shame.
Heavy grunge
Favorite song: Slick
Good good
Liked it very much. A nice upbeat rock album. Good tunes. Just missed some sologuitars sometimes though.
Used to really like this when it came out. Despite not listening to it for at least 20 years, turns out I still do.
No conocía a esta banda y qué buen descubrimiento. Leyendo un poco sobre ella me enteré que sólo sacaron 3 discos antes de su ruptura y definitivamente los voy a buscar.
Disco curioso de música alternativa noventera, nada nada mala. Suena como si Nirvana no estuviera tan enojado o se llevaran con los de R.E.M. La verdad es que de haberlos conocido antes pude haberle agarrado bastante gusto.
Really surprised by this, expected nothing but just another average rock album but this was actually great. Fast paced rock, catchy melodies and songs that make you want to listen to more
What a pleasant surprise! Someone has been hanging out with R.E.M. and Dinosaur Jr., and I'm all for it. Probably my second-favourite song titled 'Man on the Moon' released in 1992.
This was a very nice surprise, never heard of them but I listened to it twice in a row. Sounded a lot like DInosaur Jr. All the songs are the same structure but it doesn't matter when the tunes are this good
I love Bob Mould!
Enjoyable album. Favorite Song: Hoover Dam
Rock independiente
det är nära en femma för mig. älskar att dom liksom bara maler på i vissa låtar samma riff om och om igen utan att det blir så repetitivt. Fattar inte hur man lyckas med det. det avslutas lite svagt men annars så är det en femma.
I'm pleasantly surprised! This is a very good rock album by an artist I have never heard of before. Musically, think Foo Fighters, but a few years earlier. Most of songs have string melodies and are extremely well arranged and produced. I will listen to this again. 4/5
This is a great 90s alt album which I was unaware of but really enjoyed - great songs, great vocals, that 90s fuzzy grungy production - I am here for this album. A gem.
How did i not know about this album. 1992 is right in my wheelhouse but I have never listened to it before that I can recall.
Jako zabavno i melodično.
Ugodno iznenađenje
Never heard this album before, sounds like the alt rock of the time. Pretty good at encapsulating the sound of the early 90s
Rock alternatiu amb pedigree. Sona de vegades a Hüsker Dü, però amb personalitat pròpia. No tot a la mateixa alçada però és força consistent
Sugar by name sugar by nature. This is very saccharine and is very enjoyable on first listen, it just feels as though it will become very sickly on multiple listens!
Can't go wrong with Bob Mould
This was a nice little surprise. A hidden gem. At first glance, I thought I remembered this band from the 90s, but I didn't. This was a first listen for me. It's what I'd consider more "thoughtful" rock/pop 90s music - not cookie-cutter, hook-driven, slop. It gave me a real Our Lady Peace meets Foo Fighters vibe, even a few hints of Smashing Pumpkins at times. Overall, a solid 3 I thought. BUT - I'm giving this a 4 based on historical context, given that it was recorded and released before any of the aforementioned bands got together. While I wasn't familiar with Sugar, my guess is that some of these other bands were. Also, as far as influence goes, late-90s commercial pop bands like Vertical Horizon and Sister Hazel and (insert one-hit-wonder here) all kinda sound like a watered-down version of this. So, props.
Good stuff, proto-grunge. I enjoyed it!
Surprisingly good album I was not expecting. Lots of rocking songs though none standing out too much. Gonna give this one some more listens in the future
No conocía al grupo. Si me gusto el disco, aunque a veces abusan de la distorsión pero igual bueno el resultado.
This is better than a lot of "alternative" music that was released in 1992. It sounds like the album the Foo Fighters wish they could make. I'm sort of shocked that I'm only now learning about it. This is the sort of pure pop that's right in my wheelhouse. Expect a deeper dive into Bob Mould in my future.
The first half is beyond perfect. Up to Hoover Dam, the greatest batch of songs from Bob Mould ever. The second half is very good. If I Can’t Change Your Mind is the best pop song he ever wrote. 4.5.
I don't think I knew that when I think rock I think 90s alternative but putting this album on was kind of like putting on a t-shirt you've had for years. Honestly nothing really reached out and grabbed me but it was a solid listen through and through.
didn't expect much, but this was actually a pretty fun alternative album! Shoulda known from a former Hüsker Dü dude.
This grew on me. It sounded a bit bland at first, but then I think it just clicked for me. A solid album.
Perfect indie pop
Pretty sweet
Muy buen disco de rock, con melodías guitarreras y canciones bien construidas. Me ha sorprendido muy para bien. Voz interesante igualmente. Todo un descubrimiento
Some great 90s alt rock. Can definitely see it’s influence on naughties rock and some pop punk. Enjoyable set of pop rock tunes
Grunge. Sounds just like Nirvana. Need to listen more
Great 90s alt album. This is the first time listening to this band as far as I remember. Good stuff.
I got Bob Mould's solo album, the eponymous one that came out in 1996. I loved that album. It had all the loud guitars on it that I could want, but didn't sound like anything else I had. I can't find that album anywhere, now - doesn't seem to be streaming. But this is a pretty good substitute. I still love the guitars.
Formed after the demise of Hüsker Dü and really just made their full transition into alternative rock and power pop that Husker Du was making towards the end of their career. A solid album with a more interesting vocal approach than most power pop.
Positives: doesn't really sound dated, lots of variety, some great tracks (Helpless is my fave). Negatives: sometimes feels like a cover set of famous 90s bands like Pixies, Cure, etc. I feel like I heard enough of this album in the 90s and only like revisiting the favorites.
enjoyed it, never heard of them!
This is such a blueprint
I'm a fan. This music should be in every teen movie. Quintessential garage rock. "Slick" is good.
I knew Husker Du and Mould’s solo stuff, but somehow totally missed out on Sugar. Great album.
I was ready to dismiss this as dated... but Good Idea hit me in the right mood...Pretty sure I've heard Helpless before. Hoover Dam sounds opens like a Beach Boys song then goes into full blown Gen X 90s mode. Man on the Moon is a great conclusion. Maybe it's the shitty weather, but I like this. I'm ignoring the 2+ hour deluxe remaster that Amazon Music is giving me and considering this a tight, 10 song, 45 minute alt rock jam.
I’ve got some gigantic blindspots when it comes to the whole Bob Mouldiverse. But I enjoyed this. Dude’s voice is infectious. No wonder he’s been at it for decades.
bob's cool and all, but i liked him much better with grant and greg. this album shows his melodic self, but i miss the raw passion and grit from the husker du days.
Has a very "90's" sound( like collective soul) with the guitar and drums. The bass (especially intros into "the act we act" and "good idea") is very good. I really enjoyed "if I can't change your mind". Some bleak lyrics dealing with killing of a lover and dealing with AIDS. But the melodies are very well arranged. As I had never really heard of Sugar this was a great intro.
Pretty decent!
Really fun album! 4.5
Pleasant surprise!
Catchy alternative style.
Interesting find
3/5
Quite the mood whiplash since I started listening to this right after finishing my last album, The Gershwin Songbook. But other than the initial shock of switching from 1950s jazz to 1990s alternative rock, it didn't really invoke much other emotions in one way or another. Just very middle of the road alternative rock.
Enjoyment: 7 Replayability: 6 Cohesion: 6 Flow/Pacing: 5 Artistic Merit: 5 Weighted Average: 6.1 Review: This album scratched my inner teen angst itch. Overall a decent album, that gives nostalgia without having known the tracks beforehand. Liked Song(s): A Good Idea, Hoover Dam, Fortune Teller Disliked Song(s): Slick Recommend? Yes
Not particularly memorable. It’s 90s rock, no doubt. I liked man on the moon. It’s a good and familiar sound, but it’s not a super stand out. Maybe I just didn’t listen enough.
This is pretty great. Quite familiar with Hüsker Dü, less so with Sugar, though there are a few tracks here I recognise - and I think I had a ripped copy of File Under Easy Listening at one stage. Power-pop coming on something like a more radio-friendly Pixies. Perhaps ultimately this relative accessibility is what stops it from pushing through to being more game-changingly memorable?
Empezó sorprendente como una mezcla de nirvana, smashing y sonic youth, pero luego ya se volvió algo más 80s rock con algo del rock progresivo por ahí. Se siente dos cabezas creativas jalando para diferentes lados. Buena sorpresa.
Bom, conferir mais alguns albúns.
Pretty middle of the road 90s rock. Sounds a bit like REM in places, some decent tracks (Helpless, If I Can't Change Your Mind). Not bad.
6/10
Du post grunge sans grande originalité
Plutôt sympa
Cetait plutôt sympa, j'ai bien aimé !
Not heard of this band to be fair but this album sounds very much of the time and seems desperate to fit in. It’s not as good as its contemporaries and I am not sure exactly why it’s on the list.
Favorite track(s): Changes, Hoover Dam, If I Can't Change Your Mind
This was pretty Bandwagonesque… esque. I feel similarly about this record but prefer the melodic moments there to the more post-punk focus here. Just not something I’d reach for on my own. 1 listen Favorite Tracks: Hoover Dam, If I Can’t Change Your Mind
Expectation: -> Something I like to eat, but listen to? After listening: -> I enjoyed this, despite it lacking much depth and complexity. A pretty straight forward upbeat rock set can still satisfy. Guessing they were a very energetic live show. Track ranking: Hoover If I Can Changes Moon Idea Slim Helpless Fortune Act Slick
3, ni fu, ni fa
Overall Rating - 3.10/5 (6.20/10). It's decent early Alternative, where you can hear more of the punk roots. Solid album, but nothing special.
Bit REM, bit Husker Du, bits are good, bits didn't click
Heard of the man and previous projects but this one passed me by. I liked it. Not sure I’d rush to listen again but I liked it.
Never heard of Sugar and wasnt expecting much with it being early 90's. Nicely surprised I enjoyed it a lot, didnt care for the american pretend punk acfcent on vocal but music was fine, some good guitar.
Solid album that I've never heard of. It's like Foo Fighters before Foo Fighters existed, but better. I like this vocal style but the balance feels a bit off. I wish it was more of a focal point. Overall though, a pretty decent listen.
Très différents de ce que j écoute. Surpris
I swear this group participated in sound tracks for early 00s movies because they sound so familiar! This album wasn't bad and it did remind me of that time period, but I'm unsure if I'd listen to it very often.
A pretty average rock album without any real individuality. 3 stars or C.
Peak 90s radio rock
decent, 1e album was 3 rating maar eig 2 waard, dit 2e album is wel 3 rating
Favorite Track: A Good Idea
Okayish rock music, nothing special
Not as good as I initially thought, but not bad. Fun off/punk from 90s
Definitely 90s, but it was a fun listen. Wish I listened to the hoover dam song at the hoover dam
Melodic Husker Dü, and that’s what it’s supposed to be. Listening to this, you can clearly hear Bob Mould’s influence on Husker Dü. His "loud-quiet-loud" song craft is here too, which is where you can also hear Mould’s impact on bands like Nirvana. Nirvana bassist Krist Novoselic said that Nirvana's musical style was "nothing new; Hüsker Dü did it before us."
Weird to have this Bob Mould album and not fucking Zen Arcade. I’d even take New Day Rising. But we get Warehouse and this. It’s good but like, generic? Good Idea and Hoover Dam are excellent.
This album has a classic, American rock sound that really works in its favour sometimes but leads to monotony at other times. The first song is fantastic and is an excellent lead into the album but after than I found myself wanting more all the way up until the last song. The instrumentation remains pretty stagnant and when they do change it up I didn't really like that much. That being said, if rock is your jam, you'll definitely like this more than me.
Nice classic 90s indie rock but far from the best of the era
ok
This album is good grunge pop rock– the perfect representation of the 90s sound. No wonder it won awards at the time. For me, it is enjoyable to listen to, even though the wall-of-sound mix gets a little much at times. But I probably wouldn't dive back in as ultimately from this perspective it now just feels a bit....generic. Unfortunately there have been so many bands like this that is hard to separate them all. I suspect that at the time people welcomed this as a breath of fresh air. All in all a solid effort, but not one of the greats.
This is good old-fashioned early 90s alternative.
Although alternative rock is my favourite genre I came with before getting here, I'm starting to notice what a lot of comments say: too many generic albums. I mean I can enjoy this for being my kind, but I know there are more unique albums out there that people trying to diversify their music portofolio would enjoy, let alone those interested that might find some new style. Ok, towards the end it gets decent, with The Slim (again least streamed too), Slick and Fortune Teller. The first ones are loud mashes of other bands, changing at the middle slightly, becoming more balanced. Idk it's fine, just not really to die for.
Meh
Unapologetically generic.
It’s alright.
I had never even heard of this band, yet I felt like I heard this music (or at least the music this serves as an archetype for) throughout the 90s. Seemed pretty good, though no tracks really stood out for me as must-listens. I think if I had heard this while growing up, the tie to nostalgia would have bumped it up a star.
its good soundwise but feels a bit vain
Nice.
"What if REM was a post-hardcore band?"
Pretty forgettable to be honest. A Good Idea is fun enough but the rest doesn't get past okay.
Eh
Solid rock album, but I don't see anything special about it that it needs to be on this list.
Was this album ahead of its time? It feels like it. I got the vibe of california beachy 2000’s.
I liked this a bit - no surprise since I liked Husker Dü - it's that guitar.
Alt rock from ‘92.
The act we act - 4/5 A good idea - 2/5 Changes - 3/5 Helpless - 3/5 Hoover dam - 3/5 The slim - 3/5 If I cant change your mind - 4/5 Fortune teller - 4/5 Slick - 3/5 Man on the moon - 3/5
Decent early 90s rock/grunge album. I can see why Bob Mould was an influence to other bands but never quite made it as big as the ones he inspired. Some good songs and some filler.
That was fun
Just so 90’s. I was never a fan of Husker Du and that grunge/not grunge sound. I’m not sure if it’s the guitar tones or the vocal work but it just does not do it for me.
Medium
Before I even listen can we all come to agreement that the Genre "Post-Hardcore" is a dumb one. I get post-punk and post-rock because rock and punk were pretty big and mainstream. I cannot think of a single hardcore band that went mainstream. To be even more fair and honest post-punk and post-rock are kind of dumb too as though there are not bands out there rocking out and putting out punk still. Punk might not be on the radio or TV anymore but there are still plenty of kids out there playing 3 chords and blasting out the jams. We do need to admit that Bob Mould is just great. This album was, for me, typical 90's era indie/alternative rock. Nothing to write home about but a good listen.
I think I enjoyed it more towards the end, then it started again and I found I'd settled into it a little. It's a bit samey, vocalist sometimes sounds like he's been hung upside down with a peg on his nose. Not bad though.
The brilliant “Workbook” was my first exposure to Bob Mould, and unfortunately it’s an outlier compared to his otherwise noisy and distorted body of work. Copper Blue is a little more palatable, but if he wasn’t always setting his dials to 11 one might realize a wonderful song buried under all that noise.
Godt alternativ rock og power pop åbenbart? Tidligere bandmedlemmer fra Hüsker dü så det er meget anderledes lyd, det andet var mere post-punket og punket. Men det har stadig en masse attitude og det blev vidst et rigtig populært album. De sagde at den eneste grund til det kunne lade sig gøre, var fordi Nirvana's nevermind ændrede måden man kunne lytte til måske på. Jeg synes det var meget godt og jeg gemte også mange af sangene selv, men jeg synes heller ikke det var noget synderligt specielt. Jeg synes jo at det mindede mig en smule om R.E.M men synes overall R.E.M gør det bedre. Jeg kunne bedre lide det kantede ved Hüsker Dü og ikke så meget de poppede og simple strukturer, selvom attituden og lyden fra instrumenterne er gode.
Very much a product of its time. 𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘉𝘭𝘶𝘦 fits right into the early 90s alternative sound, with plenty of crunchy guitars and strong melodic instincts, but it doesn’t really stand out to me. The songwriting is solid throughout, yet it often feels a bit too familiar, like it’s hitting all the right notes without adding much of its own identity. Easy to listen to, but not something that leaves a lasting impression.
This one is kind of Slick.
Enjoyable 90s rock that's a bit too noisy / dissonant for me to get all the way into. If either the music or the vocals were more melodic I could really dig this, but they're both a bit too noisy for me.
Really loses steam after Helpless. Great opening 3 song run though. Haven’t yet listened to Husker Du, very excited to.
As far as alt rock goes, this was definitely among the more tolerable. Maybe even kind of enjoyable?
Kind of repetitive but good music
The album wasn't bad. The music reminded me a bit of Bush and a few German bands from the '90s that I used to listen to a lot back then. But none of the tracks really blew me away. Now that I'm listening to my daily stream, I realize in comparison just how little of interest the album had to offer. 3/5
That was quite okay, forgettable 3/5
Felt like the most dictionary definition generic 90s alternative rock album ever conceived. Inoffensive but unremarkable. A couple decent songs, but nothing terribly worth coming back to. Top tracks: A Good Idea, The Slim, If I Can't Change Your Mind
This don’t sound like a 90s album
Nothing outstanding but decent
Really okay, sounds like a song could have been on rock band
had a customer be really insistent i listen to this one time. it’s good? not sure why he thought it would change my life
Inoffensive 90s vibe
It's not bad but why is this on the top 1000 list?
unfortunately nothing on here lived up to how much I liked the song Helpless. like it's not bad but it's extremely Another 90s Alt Rock Album
Never heard of the band before but quite liked it. Worth another listen.
This was fine but completely indistinguishable from any 90s rock radio to me
Basic ig
A Good Idea sounds like it could be a Pixies song (specifically Debaser). But overall I liked this a fair bit, a solid three that I could see becoming a possible four with additional listens. Terrible album cover though.
Guter Rock mit viel Gitarre 3/5
One of the most boring singing styles I've ever listened to. The singer is a one trick pony and the same vocal lines get old after the second song. The playing is good, for the type of loud distorted grungy music of the early 90s. All in all, a forgettable experience. 3/5
6.0/10 Would listen again
573/1001 2026.03.18 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
It was grand
This album has a fresh sound for 1999 when it was released. It has good lyrics and songs are short but powerful. I missed some better guitar solos, but good for its time.
Very 90s rock so how could it be bad
Das nenn ich mal soliden Gitarrensound.
grungy, one-dimensional, quite tiring
The thing about these older albums is that they walked so later bands could run but it feels hard to give them the credit when there are probably 20 bands in the genre that i'd reach for before them.
Nice riffs, sounds good
Bit of a more melodic grunge. Don't mind it. Awful cover though.
Þetta var svona léleg útgáfa af R.E.M. Allt í lagi, söngurinn ekki alveg upp á sitt besta og hljóðfæraleikurinn Bylgju útvarps legur svolítið. Þetta er samt fínt stöff alveg solid þristur.
Fínasta stöff. Alternative með smá grunge ívafi.
I am really into this sound, but the mix isnt great for hearing the lyrics. It sounds like the vocals are behind everything and its very difficult to hear them. This sound like one of the missing links between hair metal and grunge.
pretty normal 90s altrock album
Not that impressed but could listen, sounds like generic 90s pop grunge. I give it a 3 If I can’t change your mind was my favourite
My first thought on hearing the opening number was "wow, I like this A LOT". But then it turns out this album is a lot of things and not all of them are to my liking.
well. they tried ... something
Spent some time with this album this week. It lectures between a three and a four wanna go with a three here cause the only reason why I kept coming back to it is to finish it, but they are some definitely good songs on here. I kinda like Hoover Dam. And if I can’t change your mind along with helpless, definitely a good listen and I’m glad I found this band.
Mix av creed og foo fighters
Read it was named album of the year by NME... This has potential for album of the month but in no way for the for whole year. It's an enjoyable album but no special thing.
The Gin Blossoms without the alcohol abuse. Third Eye Blind without the meth. Not a bad thing, I enjoyed the 90s vibes but other bands did it better and should probably be on this list instead.
Kinda fun, but not amazing? Stand-outs - A Good Idea - Changes
This sounds very familiar, although I’m not sure I’ve heard it before.
Feels very 90s to me; grunge adjacent?
I didn’t get into Bob Mould until quite late in his solo career and I really enjoy some of those later solo albums. I did go back and listened to and enjoyed the Hüsker Dü albums but for some reason the Sugar albums never clicked with me. Listening to this again it definitely has that trademark Bob Mould sound but the songs seem a little under-developed. They just don’t seem to go to certain places that his late solo material gets to so I’m not sure why this is on this list. I did still enjoy this listen, maybe a little more now that I understand his style a little better, but in the end I know there’s much better stuff coming up later in his career so I would say that this album is not essential but still a nice listen if you like jangly pop rock.
I enjoyed their sounds….new band for me!🎸
Forgot this existed!
This is a fun album with a thick, noisy '90s aesthetic. I'm probably just a little nostalgic for this sound, but I really enjoyed it. That being said, there was a lot of music that sounded a lot like this. If you crystallized the '90s, it would probably sound exactly like this (and look like the album art, too). Favorite track(s): "Changes," "Hoover Dam," "Man on the Moon"
My cup of tea. I like this sound of 90s !
70
At times it feels like someone heard Doolittle and decided to make something that sounds exactly like it But I love doolittle, so i like this
BEST SONGS: - Man on the Moon - A Good Idea
fine
Bob Mould is one of the most important and underappreciated voices in alternative music, directly inspiring acts like The Pixies, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and many more. The sound of his work has been the defining sound of alternative music since the 80s, and as such has an important place on a list like this. If you're interested in the history of this type of music, listening to him is a must. Copper Wire feels like a response to the genre the world that Mould created, looking at the landscape and taking the parts that have been created by other artists and arranging them into something similar but new. The power punk sound that the album became the defining sound of alternative music afterwards. Even the parts that are obviously taken from grunge acts at the time are transformed into something that is more akin to Green Day, and certain songs from The Tragically Hip. Hell, in general much of this album precipitates the sounds of Canadian rock in the 90s and 2000s. It's a fun album with great guitar rifts and pop punk arrangements that is a breezy listen. That doesn't make the album great, though. Most of the songs on the album you can hear a version of the same song but done better on other albums, both from the time and since. As well, the album turns away from the post-hardcore sound that made Mould's work so influential. It's a lot more clean than his other works, which makes it slightly less interesting. It's a fine album, one that I enjoyed listening to from beginning to end. But there isn't a lot here that would enthused me to listen to it again. Mould has made much better albums (the fact that Zen Arcade is not on this list is baffling), and a lot of my enjoyment is centered on thr fact that I know and appreciate him. It's a fun album, if not highly original, that I may not listen to again but that wasn't a waste of time by any stretch. My highlights are Changes and Hoover Dam.
Generic grunge but I am biased towards this genre. I wouldn't skip any of these songs if they came on, but unfortunately they are also unremarkable.
Favorite Track: Helpless
Good listen!
I'm more into 90s alternative rock/grunge than I thought
My ex brother in law was in a Husker Du cover band. Maybe they’ll be on this list too.
Hüsker Dü had some good records, but nothing I would revisit intentionally. Copper Blue is much more to my liking. It has the right mix of some of the music styles of that time. A bit Nirvana, some R.E.M., maybe AiC or Soundgarden, and several others. That said, I never heard of them before or any of the titles, besides the closing track, Man on the Moon, though I didn't know the band behind that title. A strong 3, but not quite a 4.
As much as I love Bob Mould and everything he represents, I had this album in a higher esteem than that of the "listening the whole album" experience. The highs are sooo good, but most of it is not memorable at all.
Great rock! Well composed, great sound, interesting bits and pieces, good guitar sound that fits the vocals. A new encounter for me, and I liked it. Still nothing amazing, rather medium, but good quality.
First impressions of this album are pretty good! I’m excited for a bit more alt rock! It almost has a grunge sound to it. Moving in to “A Good Idea”, there are, in fact, some good ideas in here. I really like the guitar and drums and the way they compliment each other. I really enjoyed Changes! It was the first time in this listen through I actually could really pick out some of the vocals and the guitar solo at the end was awesome! I appreciated Helpless being a little bit more melodic, and really enjoyed it, along with Hoover Dam too! The slim was a nice longer song on this album. I didn’t really feel the length of this one. Genuinely enjoyed If I can’t change your mine! It had an element of fun to it that I hadn’t felt so far in this album. Fortune Teller had this vibe too which I really appreciated. The intro to Slick was really good, and as a closer Man on the Moon was a nice track. I’m torn on this album, because while I did enjoy it, and it is the style of music I like, I was underwhelmed. I felt a lot of it was very repetitive. 3.5/5 ⭐️, 7/10. 30/1089
Some decent tracks, some less so. Washed over me a bit. Reminiscent of lots of other bands rather than anything unique
נכנסתי מהאלבום הזה הרבה יותר ממה שחשבתי
That was ok, a bit cheesy but not in a bad way
Нормальный альт рок
This reminds me of Collective Soul. Enjoyable, but not something I'd listen to all the time.
Not entirely memorable but still an entertaining listen
Melodic fuzzy guitar 90's music. I can deal. But is it really required listening?
It's fine
7.5 / 10
Not my monkey not my Circus.
This album feels like the recipe for 90s alt rock stew, with dashes of influence and sounds from so many other 90s alt rock bands.
Copper Blue is a sweet debut from Sugar. Not familiar with this alt rock band, no smash hits off the album, but all songs are listenable. Hoover Dam is the strongest track. (2.85*s) Remind me of The Rembrandts.
Never heard of Sugar before and I'm a little surprised that I didn't have any prior exposure. The songs on Copper Blue all seem to have the accessibility of other similar 90's rock acts that made it big. Sugar didn't conform to the grunge genre and go for a more mainstream sound which I feel like would have worked for a 90's radio sound. I didn't love the prior Husker Du entry which they have connection with. Seems like I prefer the direction that Bob Mould took with Sugar. Almost sounds like they just weren't in the right place at the right time as I had never heard of them before this though. There's nothing huge that stands out on the album, but all the songs are OK to decent across Copper Blue. Even if I don't think I'll revisit this album I can't complain about what I got out of it. Middle of the pack entry 2.50
No. 77 This was a fun listen. I didn't know anything about this album before listening to it, and was quite pleasantly surprised by it.
1/14/26. First time hearing this, has a bit of the typical 90s sound but can't deny the melodies and more positive feeling the songs bring. A good one to listen to while in the car in my opinion!
Gostei, me lembrou um pouco Jawbreaker só que mais grunge digamos assim. Nas reviews falaram que é muito genérico, provavelmente é.
Love the wall of sound/power pop tone but the vocals became irritating
Actually was really good! It reminds me a lot of Everclears Sparkle and Fade album, one of my faves
Interesting early 90's rock.
Really strong music, but a little samey when taken all together
Is Husker Du on here? Anyway this is kinda nice melodic alternative rock/post punk whatever. Genre is dumb.
A Good Idea Changes If I Can't Change Your Mind
Like it 3/5
Started off decent. Ended up as noise 3/5
Fine innit
Solide
more like SOUR. Most of these songs sound so similar to eachother, except Hoover Dam just starts in reverse I guess. Its pretty generic alternative/grunge lite from the 90's. Feels like a bargain bin version of the bands that ruled the genre.
I caught myself tapping my toes more than once. Strains of a lot of different 90s post-punk/indie/grunge here. "Man on the Moon" is a favorite - almost REM-like. Bob Mould keeps popping up in expected places.
01) The Act We Act - 7,0 02) A Good Idea - 7,5 03) Changes - 7,0 04) Helpless - 6,5 05) Hoover Dam - 6,5 06) The Slim - 6,5 07) If I Can't Change Your Mind - 7,0 08) Fortune Teller - 6,5 09) Slick - 6,5 10) Man on the Moon - 6,5 TOTAL: 6,75 (68/100)
It was Christmas Day, so I only had time to sample a few of the songs. How I wish you could pause this for a day or two once in a while. Anyway, I think I may have really liked this if I were introduced to it back in the day when it was current. I am not wild about vocals, though. Probably ends up being up a three star album for me, but I am intrigued enough to listen to more of it.
starts w/ some great crunchy guitar, it's the nineties all right. damn. lol track 2 direct pixies rip off.
This was a fun listen. I didn't know anything about this album before listening to it, and was quite pleasantly surprised by it. I was definitely surprised to find out that the lead singer's from Hüsker Dü! The songwriting's solid and the songs themselves are well performed. This is a good album and I enjoyed listening to it, but in the context of this list, it doesn't quite hold up with the rest of the albums here. I'm happy to have heard it, though. 3/5
I was never a big fan of the Bob Mould stuff I heard growing up. When I was in 5th grade I remember the "cooler" seniors at my school had Husker Du posters in their lockers and it made me curious to see what they sounded like. When I eventually did after buying Zen Arcade in college, it didn't do much for me. I'm much older now, so let's see how this goes... I like this but Mould buries his vocals too far down in the mix. "Helpless" sounds familiar - I must have seen that on 120 Minutes back in the day.
7/10
Idk???
It’s good, but i don’t even plan on listening to this again