Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Sounds very blink 182 ngl. Not particularly memorable but also nice for background music.
It was pretty good!
Aldrig hört talas om bandet, vilket känns konstigt. Klassiskt 90-tals rocksound. Det är ett sound jag diggar. Så trots avsaknad av någon riktig hit så tycker jag det är jämnbra hela albumet, så det blir en fyra.
Hyfsad platta men som inte direkt lämnar några bestående avtryck. Det är jämnt men också lite formulaiskt och tråkigt/själlöst. Tycker att mixningen är dålig och att sången ligger för långt bak, vilket drar ned betyget.
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Back in the immediate post-Nevermind alternative era when Sugar was played on the local radio station it always sounded like watered down (less passsionate) grunge to me. 30+ years of hindsight and after taking the time to properly listen to the whole album....I get it now. I thoroughly enjoyed this. Maybe not 5* level to me, but solid 4+.
Medio generico la verdad
Decent alt rock album
It's okay but definitely not a must hear. I've heard that drop d with slow tempo and attempted Dave Grohl drumming on plenty of albums.
Comme d'hab, quoi, j'ai envie de dire...
I haven’t actually heard Sugar (or even Husker Du) before and it is right in my wheelhouse, sounding a bit like REM crossed with Stone Temple Pilots. While I love the general sound/genre, I’m not really sure how much I like the songs themselves so struggled with a rating. It’s not quite a 4 but a high 3 I think.
There is an endless amount of 90s albums that for some reason have their band's name in a pretty big font and usually operate within alt rock. Sugar seemingly is no exception to this weird trend and from previous albums like this that I've listened to before Most of what I have to say about it is that I like whenever musicians from this era were blending heavier/distorted guitar with more poppy sounding chords, it gave poppier rock an edge but also just works really well together, which is what this album does perfectly imo. I think I will be coming back to this one quite a bit.
Some interesting works in this one. I like the use of the synth in "Hoover Dam". Sounds like something Collective Soul would do. "IF I can't change your mind" sounds like something out of the gin blossoms. They're a bit everywhere with this album Overall, it's good, not spectacular. About 3.3 stars are so. Going with "A Good Idea" as the song for the playlist. The opening bassline gave me Weezer vibes and i dig that.
This album doesnt feel in the slightest way unique or really outstanding to my ears. Pretty much a skippable album which i still listened to the fullest. It didnt trigger any emotions. It was not even bad enough to piss me off.
A great power pop album from Bob Mould.
4- Stars (10/15)
And another decent album that has no right to be on this list. Nothing this album does is better than any other band at the time, and it doesn't really stand out in anyway. Overall its a fine listen that didn't make me want to hit stop, nor did I want more when it was over.
First listen. Solid album from beginning to end. The first half is very good. Will come back to this one. Could hear the Bob Mould influence on Foo Fighters.
One of the things I have learnt from this project is that I bought quite a few albums back in the day because I thought I should. Revisiting them, l turns out a lot of them are kinda mid. This album is one of them
eh its ok but kinda forgettable
It's a perfectly serviceable alt rock album that probably wouldn't get quite as much good press if it weren't by Bob Mould. Not really much to say about it.
A very familiar sound. Like Pablo Honey with a different, less distinctive vocalist. Extremely typical of the early 90s, imitating the popular grunge sound that exploded around the same time. The consistent thickly-spread electric guitar and bass is a signature element of the genre. The band Sugar is a bit monotonous in that regard. Particularly on side 2 of the record, I found myself wishing for a more instrumentally diverse arrangement and more varied melodies, chords, and textures - despite the individual tracks being passable. The singing is fine but pretty forgettable, limiting the rating I could reasonably give this record to a 4 at best. It doesn't project much personality. Which is a shame, because the genre has potential to spit out some emotion-laden classics (as seen with Pearl Jam, AIC, Foo Fighters, and so on). If I Can't Change Your Mind has a completely different feel from the rest of the album. A jangly semi-acoustic guitar sound, reminiscent of pre-Britpop like the Smiths. It really does sound like a Smiths track, and for that it gets bonus points. Also up a notch or two for helping side 2 of the record be less of a slog to listen through. Distinctive high guitar lines in Man on the Moon, but those are spread out across a generic 5-minute rock track with (essentially) three chords. Changes is helped out by a high-energy rhythm section and (what sounds like) a glockenspiel faintly mixed to the right side under the melody. Helpless sounds a bit like a royalty-free loop at the beginning, but ends up having one of the strongest melodies on the record - so it gets a shoutout. 3/5 Key tracks: Changes, Helpless, If I Can't Change Your Mind
Solid early 90’s rock.
It’s a step up from Neil young. Is it a Must listen? I’d accept husker du on this. . This seems less essential and more ‘hey check my cred’ from a hipster critic. 2 stars. Just.
In a 1983 interview, Bob Mould told interviewer Steve Albini, "We're [Husker Du] going to try to do something bigger than anything like rock & roll and the whole puny touring band idea. I don't know what it's going to be, we have to work that out, but it's going to go beyond the whole idea of 'punk rock' or whatever." And I don't think anybody realised how that change would look, but change things they did. Husker Du married the noise and aggression of punk rock with the melodicism of classic rock and pop, which became the dominant sound of alternative rock by the early 90s. Their willingness to pour on layers of guitar noise over everything helped pave the way for shoegaze. And most importantly, they showed that an underground band could sign to a major label and maintain a semblance of creative control, which is probably the most seismic shift in the rock music industry at the end of the 1980s. Despite being one the key bands pioneering these changes, Husker Du didn't have much to show for it. The major label contract didn't bring any significant commercial returns, and they collapsed in penury, addictions and internecine conflict. I like the two Bob Mould solo albums that followed, which are carefully orchestrated folk rock albums, but very dark in tone. Not many people bought those records, his contract with Viegin collapsed, and I don't think Bob quite knew where he was heading. But then the success of Nevermind and MBV's Loveless, both of which are indebted to Husker Du, prompted him to form a new band and get a bit more back to basics. And that's what the Copper Blue album is: a distillation of what is great about Bob Mould. He was always been a prolific writer, but this is particularly strong set from him. The melodies are strong, the playing is strong, the production is great, and the lyrics a little sunnier that usual (which helped). If you wanted a good career summary of Bob Mould in a single album, then this would be it. Is it as good as Zen Arcade or New Day Rising or Candy Apple Grey? Maybe not, but this was his most commercially successful album, which he achieved by leaning into his strengths just at the moment that he rest of the world caught up with what he had been doing for nearly 15 years. It is hard to begrudge Bob some public recognition, a small victory lap, after the years of dues paid. I confess it had been a long time since I pulled this record off the shelf for a spin, but I'm really glad I have. It's been great to be reminded of what a solid album this is.
quite repetitive but not bad
Copper Blue is a big, warm wall of guitars—fuzzy but melodic, aggressive but always tuneful. Bob Mould took his Hüsker Dü instincts and polished them just enough to let the hooks shine without sanding off the emotional edge. Tracks like Helpless, If I Can’t Change Your Mind, and Hoover Dam blend power-pop with a grunge-era crunch, giving the album a kind of bittersweet energy that never feels forced. It’s one of those records where nearly every track delivers something memorable—whether it’s a killer riff, a clever lyric, or just that soaring sense of momentum. The sound is dense, sure, but it never gets muddy, and the melodies are strong enough to cut through the noise. It might not get talked about as much as other ‘90s alt-rock landmarks, but Copper Blue holds up remarkably well—equal parts catharsis and craftsmanship.
I wasny familiar with Sugar. Found myself enjoying the album- a nice 90s alt rock sound. Overall- 3.5/5
This album sounds so familiar but I can’t say I know any of these songs. Definitely a product of its era but to me is incredibly solid. Gives me mostly REM and Foo Fighters vibes, but here and there there’s some Barenaked Ladies or even Crash Test Dummies. This is an album that, whether I heard it back then or not, I’m glad to have been exposed now. Really dig this one!
Very poorly mixed average 90s grunge
sounds like foo fighters
If you asked me to find the most bog standard alternative rock album, this would be top of my list. It's not bad, it's just not that good at the end of the day. 2.8
Standard boring 90's rock.
Yeah...I know this is dated and "of its time". But that time strikes a cord for me. I never knew this album existed until just now. Super enjoyable even if it's "generic 90's alternative music". Even vanilla tastes pretty fucking great from time to time.
Definitely like Sugar better than Husker Du. Copper Blue is an alt rock masterpiece, with some anthemic songs. The increased focus on melody and slightly poppier vocals than Mould's other work definitely marks this out. I'm a real sucker for heavy guitars with sweet singalongs and this ticks both those boxes ✅
The soundtrack to a C-list coming of age movie in the early 2000’s.
Good.
Top 3 Songs: 1 - Changes (3) 2 - If I Can't Change Your Mind (7) 3 - Man on the Moon (10)
Kind of repetitive. I don't mind the style or the music, but they kind of repeat the same thing over and over...
Relatively unknown band. Better than I was expecting. Reminded me of REM at times. Low 4.
7/10 - I liked Hoover Dam and man on the moon the rear were not bad. Overall decent album
It was pretty good. We've had better/more interesting alt rock that sounds a lot like this. This felt like some of those albums but lacking a personality
[8/10]
Not too memorable
Bunch of good songs on it, if I can't change your mind is the best one on there but just a bunch of good songs
a little generic but I defo enjoyed it
Meh.
Quite enjoyed this. All sounded the same but all quite good 7.5/10 - borderline 4 stars
I really like this. It's raw and edgy, but not in a lazy or cringe way.
Great album. Energetic, poppy rock. 9/10.
Solid album
I could tell they’re was something to do with hüsker dü just but looking at the album art, this is kinda generic though, like why is this on here but not zen arcade. 3/5
I definitely started to appreciate this more with a second listen. At first I found it not very memorable, but I think if I'd had this CD back when it came out it would have been a mainstay in my car. I know like one Hüsker Dü song so I wasn't familiar with Bob Mould beyond that. But as I'm listening while writing, I feel nostalgic even though I've never heard it before now. It's like a mix of all the music I love from that era, a time capsule. The run from Hoover Dam through Fortune Teller won me over. I didn't get into the first few songs and wish it had a stronger opening. 3.5.
I grew up with this music. I like it, but to be fair it doesn't belong in the book. Not unique enough, not catchy enough, too monotonous, not influential enough, not commercially successful enough. Husker Du was important. Sugar was just one of those bands, like Soul Asylum, Buffalo Tom, Goo Goo Dolls, etc. Favorite song: changes
The first minute is great, but it plods along from there and never really recovers. Just 'ok' throughout.
3 - alright kinda generic
Cool 90’s rock. Bob Mould is great, so I can’t complain!
Hits me in my 90s grungy heart.
"Copper Blue" is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Sugar. All songs were written by former Hüsker Dü member Bob Mould and the album was produced by Lou Giordano. A decent description of their music is "the punk guitar of Mould's previous band, Hüsker Dü, while slowing the slowing the tempo and employing melody." I'd argue that a lot of Hüsker Dü had decent melodies. Mould was the vocalist and played guitar, keyboards and percussion. Other members included bassist David Barbe and drummer Malcolm Travis. Commercially, it hit #10 in the UK. Wow! It was also critically well-received. A guitar sounding like an engine revving kicks the album off in "The Act We Act." Loud and clear drums. Mould singing about acting like nothing is wrong when a relationship is over. Nice melodies throughout this song and the whole album for that matter. The song ends with the same revving guitar sound. "A Good Idea" has eerie guitar noises within an overlayed guitar melody. A fast and humming bass by Barbe. A great guitar sound. A dark humored love song. '"Changes" has a ringing bells at the start and is a little more pop-ish. Echoing vocals. Sometimes you need to change to accommodate someone. Drums open right into a great guitar riff in "Helpless." Very catchy. Here's your anthemic power pop song. Mould has no clue what his partner wants. "Hoover Dam" has a majestic feel to the vocals and music. Bells, pages turning, marching band drums and two keyboard solos. He's standing on the edge of Hoover Dam. Will he get swept away? "If I Can't Change Your Mind" is a happy sounding pop song juxtaposed by the lyrics which tell of a break up. This was the fourth single from this album. Mostly fast rhythms mixed with catchy, melodic guitar hooks. A lot of this album I would put in the power pop and anthemic category but, undoubtedly, it's good song after good song. Really no let up. Firecracker drums and a thumping bass. This is a great sounding album; I don't think I can say about any Hüsker Dü album. This a fabulous album from a guy, Bob Mould, that has a lot of them and this one is up near the top.
I feel like there are good songs here, but they’re buried under layers of noise.
I had never heard this album before, vaguely remembered one song but not the name of the band. I had to read up on them to know it was Bob Mould. Great album...I wish I had heard it back in the day, but at least it will go on my play list now!
These reviews are an argument for listening to the albums in chronological, rather than random, order. Listen, kids, there would be no Nirvana or Pixies without Bob Mould. In my personal pantheon I rate Grant Hart a little higher as a songwriter and I therefore like Hüsker Dü a bit better than Sugar, but I'm not going to split hairs. Totally solid power punk.
It's fine, but I feel like I'm missing something here...I don't know. Sorry, mom. Why is this here but zen arcade isn't?
Post Husker Du Bob Mould is phenomenal. Sugar was a breath of fresh air in the early 90s, and the follow up albums were great too.
Very 90's. Not bad
I started out this one with my preconceived bias that I didn't really like Sugar because they're too poppy and all the songs sound the same. The songs do have a tendency to all have the same tone, but there is some interesting guitar work on here and I do love Bob Mould's voice. I really liked A Good Idea and The Slim, and If I Can't Change Your Mind is one infectious earworm. I'm still not convinced that I'm a fan of Sugar, but this album isn't too bad. It's definitely not Hüsker Dü, but I can see listening to this one again.
This album just has so much working against it, from the title track coming off as a bad REM attempt to the next track coming off as a bad Pixies attempt, to the underwhelming and milk toast production. I can appreciate the attempt to not sound like some of the “leftover 80s arena rock” counterparts, but nothing here really bites. Every song works as its own, okay sounding entity, but none quite add up to make a cohesive album.
In one ear and out the other, but not without wreaking displeasure between those ears in the process.
Never heard of, Easy listened, forgettable. It's not bad but it's not an iconic album or band exactly, so Why is it on a list of 1001 albums i need to hear? did it have any long lasting impressions on the world? well, no... don't seems like it. it mostly sound like other bands. I guess there really aren't 1001 albums that are "Must listens" and half of this list is just the authors picks.
pop punk grunge feeling with some melodic elements. Not bad and different in some aspects but ultimately blends in too much for my taste with other albums of its genre and doesnt have enough single standouts to get to a 3
Good album. Early 90s alt rock. Sounded like everything the Foo Fighters wanted to be.
Second half, when the songs launch off the safe and familiar, and starts incorporating more of that Husker streak of experimentation... it REALLY shines. 3.5/5
vi prego un album decente domani 🙏🏼🙏🏼
This one is up there is one of my favourite albums so I’m very biased. I think this came out not too long after I started getting into music and at the time was a slight extension from what I was listening to. Possibly one of the first albums I got into that showed it was possible to play punchy guitar music that also contained catchy meoldies. The album hits you from the start and doesn’t seem to let up in pace. Every song seem to offer an earworm opportunity and overall it’s very listenable. This album is probably up there in favourite albums so not surprisingly it gets the full 5 stars from me.
Bob Mould is one of the most prolific artists of his generation with an impressive discography from Husker Du, his solo career, and here with Sugar. It is this album that hits the sweet (pun intended) spot. I still remember when it was released and being blown away at how instantly I was hooked. This still remains one of my favourite albums of all time. The first half of the album is a relentless cascade of driving guitar energy and the second half offers a change of pace. As well as the quality of the songs (I don’t think there is a weak one here), it is a textbook example of how to structure an album. 10 tracks, 45 minutes, grab the listener’s attention early on and then a variance later on. Not sure I would say any individual track stands out but collectively it makes a great album. Very jealous of anyone who has just discovered Bob Mould for the first time, as they have an extensive back catalogue to discover. Start with Beaster which is another classic.
I have listened to this a fair bit in the past and I like it, but then I don’t. The star here is Bob Mould’s song writing and melodies, there’s some really quite catchy poppy stuff. Hoover Dam and The Slim are standouts for me. I’m perplexed by the Pixies rip-off ‘A good idea’, it’s so out of place in an otherwise very consistent album. And here comes the ‘but’. I just struggle to listen to the whole thing in one go without being desperate for it to end. The production of the guitars are pretty overwhelming in that it’s so heavy and blended in the mix, I just find it gets more samey and indiscernible as the album goes in and it’s all I can (and don’t want to) hear. So I’m all up for listening to the odd track, but as an album, I’m out.
Punkige Gitarren - Dauerrauschen...
You just gotta love Bob Mould. Solid guy. Amazing guitarist. Great songwriter. The man just lives and breathes Rock'n'roll. And If I Can't Change Your Mind has been in my personal heavy rotation for many years, all-time classic song. There are a couple of other bangers on this record as well. Man On the Moon stood out for me on this listen. However, as an album I think it's just alright. Probably won't come back to it too often in the future.
Not much to say. Pretty basic but fun alternative rock. Not much to criticize and not much to praise. Very consistent, cohesive, catchy, and decent all around. I like alt-rock, so I'm probably rating this a bit higher than it realistically deserves. 7/10
I’d listen to it again
Snoozefest. All the sounds and tropes of its genre's contemporaries blended up and boiled into bland 90s alt-rock soup. The vocals are indiscernible and I swear most of this is in the same time signature. I don't hate all the melodies or anything, but damn dude this just does not move me. Ear fatigue, intravenous. Foo Fighters without the charm.
Fringe 90’s punk rock that’s lacking in quality, snore and why is this on the list…
1/6 noisy
This was okay - I don’t remember them at the time. There was one track I’d heard before. Overall an ok album
Decent early 90s alternative, but not super memorable. It's still a genre I like, so gets 4 stars
Pixies-ish, very 90's
Did not like it. Sounded like music used for a C rated 90’s movie
Bob Mould deserves credit for being grunge before grunge was grunge. That was Husker Du. His next band, Sugar, this one, was grunge during grunge. I realize that my problem is that I’m just not much of a fan of grunge. I actually liked this album best when it lightened up, on songs like “Hoover Dam” and “…If I Can’t Change Your Mind.” That latter song sounds like it could’ve been a hit, and oh, I guess maybe it was? It sounds quite a bit like Hootie and the Blowfish, or rather, Hootie sounds like Sugar. But again, I never resonated much with Hootie and the Blowfish either. I guess all of this amounts to a 3/5 for an album that isn’t bad, isn’t great, but is respectable enough. If grunge can be described as “respectable”? Anyway… moving right along….
Try as I might, I just couldn't find anything really special about this album. It certainly sounded like the 90s, but without any resonant nostalgia or identifying hook, statement, or... connection. The music is not bad. At points it is pretty good, however, it is unremarkable. In other words, I can't imagine playing the Copper Blue card in any discussion of 90's music, and that feels odd.
90’s alt rock ok
Not bad but very generic and boring Standout songs If I Cant Change your Mind
American alternative rock. Vocals sound a little bit like Phil Collins. - The Act We Act: sounds pretty uniform with some decent "up" parts. Lyrics kind of hard to understand. - A Good Idea: I don't think I like this very much...
Could have been my step-father in law. Respect
It’s okay. It’s better now. Back then, it got lost in the onslaught of grunge. It still feels repetitive at times. But it’s alright.
the 90s movie vibes are immaculate
I personally really like this album despite not sounding much like Husker Du, it's Bob with smoother edges, really enjoyable but not exactly a necessity to every collection
very meh to me. corporate grunge sound. why did it sound like Brown Eyed Girl in a different font.
this is what it would sound like if you took the entire output of all 90s alternative rock bands and put its tender heart in a blender. it's just astoundingly average. cool that the husker du guy is still doing stuff i guess. how was this the best album of 1992 to anyone though...? favorites: a good idea, hoover dam, if i can't change your mind
not bad but just a bit too rowdy for me
Meh. Oh. You wanted a longer review? "Relentless, unimaginative, tedious, meh". Is that better? 1/5.
p693.1992. 3 stars. Well done grunge with REM inflections, but lacking standout tunes. Nothing special.
I really liked this, good poppy, rocky, music thoroughly enjoyable. Just super nice. A high 3, not quite to the 4 range but blooming close.
This album makes me happy. Love Bob Moulds various bands and projects. Always makes poppy grungey happy dancey guitar based loveliness. Stand out tracks ‘Changes’ and ‘If I Can’t Change Your Mind’
Great album by ex Husker Du man, Bob Mould. It brought back lots of memories of the times I used to go to stay round friends houses and going to nightclubs in London. The problem is that I haven't listened to it since those days, which is an indicator that this was a take it or leave it album. But it was good to give it a couple of blasts over the weekend.
Album was okay. Nothing really stood out but nothing was explicitly bad either. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Really enjoyed this, is a typical early 90's grunge sound.
По мнению А: 4/5 По мнению С: 4/5 ИТОГОВАЯ ОЦЕНКА: 4/5 (11.02.2025)
Yeah, well it was what it was.
It was fine. Certainly not an album I need to listen to
Does this sound like Tripping Daisy, or does Tripping Daisy sounds like Sugar. I'll be honest, I don't know a lot aboutBob Mould and his work with Hüsker Dü, but if asked my opinion based exclusively off the way Copper Blue does not resonate with me, I would hesitate to look up his earlier work. Competent power pop that is indistinguishable from the soundtrack of its zeitgeist.
Those aggressive opening chords? Are we in heavymetalland? No, we soon recognize alternativeland. The mixture of approaches/styles is a delight and carries us. I know you know your grunge your power pop your alternative rock and recognize them here. This has them put together really well. Slick.
I think these are a grower - they tick many boxes on paper but no instantaneous chemistry. I feel like I’ve friendzoned a potential love interest.
I really admire and enjoy Bob Mould's capacity to wedge melodies into his cacophonic music. If there were less noise, I'd really like this. And I do like it, so I guess I'd love it if it weren't so relentlessly thick with distortion and bombast. There are so many musical elements in this, and the songs are all solid, but I fall short of really embracing it — especially over the course of an entire album.
On paper, I should love this. But I could never get too excited about these guys (or Bob Mould in general). The songcraft is there. The performances are OK, I guess. But there's something lacking, and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. There are definitely some good songs, though, no doubt.
Did not give a great listen…via my phone in a hotel bathroom. Just felt meh
Highlight: Helpless In a nutshell: dark and poppy Very 90s sounding. Pixies meets Lemonheads. Helpless would be perfect on a tv/film soundtrack set in the 90s. I'm not sure if it's "essential listening" though. It sounds bland and trying too hard to be the new Nirvana. This isn't NME Album of the Year content IMHO. Overall: 2/10
I was sick and feeling pretty miserable when I listened to this, and I really wasn’t in the mood for this kind of thing at all. It was just okay.
Feels like prime 2000s movie music to me -- checked on IMDB to see if/what songs were used in movies. they only had one song in a movie, and it was Tag (2018)... makes no sense but also kinda makes a lot.... Also hadn't heard of this before but learned it is the same lead singer as Husker Du... interesting!
Not my favourite kind of stuff but pretty cool
never even heard of this but i really enjoyed it! my kinda rock music
The most basic of 90s rock, but well done.
A pretty standard sounding rock album from the early '90s. A bit too standard and generic for me, reminded me of Foo Fighters. Not a lot else to say about it. Best track: If I Can't Change Your Mind
I actually enjoyed this more than I probably should. Brings up a lot of memories of 90s films and stuff. It's not great art, but *shrug* I like what I like.
4/10
Tää meno ihan ohi kuunnellessa, ei saanut mua keskittymään… mutta koko ajan tykkäsin äänen sävystä, se oli just kannen mukainen sinisenkultainen megaysäri.
Nämä biisit jäävät mieleen, eivät ehkä ihan ensimmäisestä kuuntelukerrasta, mutta ainakin toisesta, ja jokin bändin (Mouldin) melodioissa ja kitarakuvioissa vetää takaisin (pop? punk..?). Kaiken edessään kompressoiva ysärisärö ei ole mikään lempisoundini, eikä solistin lauluääni välttämättä nappaa heti. Hyvä levy silti. 3,5
this has a strange mix, with the vocals tucked behind the guitars. as you would expect , it is like a poppier Husker Du - interesting listen, strong melodies, driving arrangements
Actually really like the Scooby Doo era vibes of this one 5/5
Just your run of the mill early 90’s rock album
Oh, is this what Foo Fighters would sound like if they were good? (I said what I said, don’t @ me, dad rockers). This album sounds quite of its time, but there’s something about it that elevates it above some of its contemporaries. That’s probably because I’m a sucker for good melodies — I was always a bit more of a Collective Soul kind of kid over a lot of the grunge sound. These songs have the introspective, dark soul of grunge but with brighter-sounding music. In fact, “Hoover Dam” sounds like what would happen if The Cure wrote Collective Soul’s “World I Know.” There are actually quite a few sounds and effects on this album that remind me of The Cure’s “Wish” album that came out the year before (“If I Can’t Change Your Mind” came on as I was typing this sentence and it sounds like a Del Amitri take on “Friday I’m in Love.”) There’s a lot of post-punk and shoegaze influence here, which is great for me. There are bass lines that wouldn’t be out of place on a Sisters of Mercy album, and some songs sound like a more radio-friendly version of what the Pixies were doing around this time. I’m woefully unversed in most of Husker Du’s music, and based on this album, on Bob Mould’s work as a whole. I will definitely be correcting that. 5/5
I thought I listened to this band before when I saw the name come up, but I was really thinking of Pepper. Not too far off on the name/genre I guess. However I definitely prefer Pepper to these guys. They have decent sound and I like the track Hoover Dam, but nothing else really stood out to me. They sound very generic for 90s rock, imo.
Lost my review with a browser refresh, but I really enjoyed the feel of this album. Sort of a fusion of post-punk and shoegaze with some grunge influences. Standouts for me were A Good Idea, which sounds a lot like a Pixies song, and Slick, which was my favorite track on here. Vocals remind me a bit of Alice in Chains with the drawly delivery -- love the sludginess of it. I'll be back for repeated listens. Coming in at a low 4 for me.
Buzz ballads are back on the menu boyzzzz. 3 stars.
This was an above-average but still generic radio rock album. Sounds like some royalty free music you could put into a coming of age movie. Enjoyable enough listen, but nothing special. 3.25
Pretty cool but standard alternative rock album. I'd say it was above average in enjoyment though. I was really waiting for a song that I know to come up on this but it never happened. 3.5 stars for this one.
This wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. Got a bit boring but nothing egregious. Low 3.
Really good album! While I find it hard to believe it took so long for a band to take the name “Sugar”, I was even more surprised by how good this album is. Having just listened to it, I am torn between a 4 or a 5. Luckily I have until tomorrow before I have to make a decision. I think my favorite song was the opening track “The Act We Act”. The whole album is of the same quality.
Harmlöst och lite intetsägande.
Grunge er bara ekki skemmtilegt, krakkar, og þá skiptir engu hvort að þið hafið sungið í hardcore pönk bandi áratuginn á undan eða ekki.
ALright 90s rock but nothing really special. Maybe worth 3 stars, but I dont remember even one song after a day...
Bland and unremarkable '90s rock.
Tja, da haben die Jungs Pech gehabt. Da ist die Platte wohl am Ohr des zuständigen Levis-Marketing-Managers vorbeigerutscht. Kein Erfolg durch ein Commercial wie bei Stiltskin (Inside) oder Babylon Zoo (Spaceman). Oder einfach zu beliebig.
“Mom, can we have some R.E.M.?” “No, we have R.E.M. at home.” R.E.M. at home:
Painfully generic, and some of the choruses go for soooo long, specially the bad ones.
Today's album is by a band formed by Husker Du frontman Bob Mould. This new band is like a cross between his old sound in Husker Du mixed with like grunge or 90s alt rock. A bit heavier than standard art rock, but still deeply rooted in the 90s alternative rock sound. Not terrible. Favourite songs: Fortune Teller, The Slim, Slick, Helpless, Hoover Dam, The Act We Act Least favourite songs: A Good Idea 4/5
Hey it's grunge from the 90s! Alas more Bush and less Pavement. (6 know/12 new)
Screams of summer youth
Day382 - bob mound is super cool but i wasn’t crazy about this album
very generic and not special rock music
You know, I do love a good-90’s alt-rock album. This is as standard as 90’s alt-rock can get. It kind of sounds like if R.E.M. and the Foo Fighters had a baby and this was the result. It’s fine. I mean the songs end up being a tad bit repetitive lyrically. The songs tend to devolve into repeating the title again and again, like an AC/DC song. But I have one question: why the fuck is this on the list? It’s standard 90’s rock. There had to be another album to take its place. What’s so special about this? It’s alright, but nothing worth showing up here. Favorite track: If I Can’t Change Your Mind Other hits: Hoover Dam, The Act We Act, Hopeless, Man on the Moon
All too often does an early nineties American alt-rock album descend into the pitfall of proto-2010s emo vocals and repetitive uninteresting riffs. But thankfully, although it threatens to do just this on multiple occasions throughout, Copper Blue is not one of these albums. An admittedly average soundscape is pierced often with frankly incredible riffs and instant-earworm hooks. There’s also a sort of artificial, manufactured nostalgia about this; even though I was born across an ocean fifteen years after this album released, something about this and similar 90s and 00s American alt-rock and indie albums harbour this strange feeling that transcends the musicality itself. Maybe I should have saved this pandering for a more monumental or personally significant album, but I’ll come back to it. It’s just nice to be reminded of this feeling when I’m not expecting it.
pretty good, bit emo
The songs are sharp and hooky, but there’s a bit of grit underneath. It’s got a lot of energy, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming. The melodies cut through the noise, keeping things balanced. Simple, but it works.
I'm hesitant to claim that Sugar is my favorite Bob Mould project, as I need to properly return to Hüsker Dü's catalog. However, this album in particular has always been very much up my alley, and may ultimately be my favorite of his. 4/5
I remember when this came out. DJs and music magazines lost their minds. It’s okay. It’s better now. Back then, it got lost in the onslaught of grunge. It still feels repetitive at times. But it’s alright.
Remember that time when everyone asked for one more mid mid-90s rock album? No? Huh Must have been the wind
listenable as background music but every time i focused in on it, it was ass
Didn’t seem so remarkable on the first listen, but it might grow on me.
Totally inoffensive.
I love this collection of songs. There was this interesting sub-genre in the early 90s of bands using the same wall-of-pedal-overdriven-guitars sound as the Seattleites, but writing poppy but radio-unfriendly songs. In addition to this great album, Ted Leo (in both Chisel and with the Pharmacists) and Teenage Fanclub come to mind. They've been all but lost as Grunge and bad radio pop has sucked up all of the culture's memory of that moment. But they deserve to be listened to because they are fantastic.
I do not like this at all.
Vocals had annoying effects. Music by numbers. Forgettable
Its an above everage album nothing special
This album screams 90s alt rock, but there's nothing that stands out here. It sounds like it's a mix mosh of every major 90s alt rock band, which makes it sound like nothing. Maybe this was first and every other band that I'm thinking about from the later 90s derived themselves from some aspect of this sound, but it makes this album non-memorable to me. It sounds cool, but I'd rather listen to every other band that does something memorable. Plus, the lyrics are always repeated. Why?
Not my classic 90s pop rock, a bit more grunge with minor undertones, a couple of songs I would listen to again
Didn't thought this album would be such a blast of energy and good melodies (especially since Hüsker Dü, so far, didn't gave me a lasting impression) but damn, Mould and Co. really delivered with this one!
Not sure about this one, could of been better if it didn’t sound like it was recorded under a duvet! None of the songs really grab the attention or get you wanting more, I kind of just endured it really.
It’s alright!
I'm being nice here when I'm saying that maybe it was influential? I've never heard such repetitive garbage in my life
Completely new band and album to me. Overall pleasantly surprised, although not mind blown. Standout Tracks: - Hoover Dam - If I Can't Change Your Mind
YES! I love it when this generator gives me albums i already love. I celebrate almost all of Bob Mould's entire catalog. Bob Mould also did The Daily Show theme
Grungy vibe... Not bad but nothing special
Sugar was a band formed by Bob Mould, singer and guitarist that originally found fame as the frontman for the punk band Husker Du. In that band, Mould's solid, earnest vocals and guitar riffs helped define 80s punk, and his songwriting made the band's work memorable. After that band broke up, Mould released a pair of solo albums which were closer to folk than his earlier work. Sugar marked Mould's return to an edgy, driven sound. The band's debut, Copper Blue, is filled with songs that are more melodic, better-produced versions of Husker Du songs, like "If I Can't Change Your Mind" and "Helpless."
The songs were catchy, but a bit repetitive. The guitarist (from Husker Du) at times felt like he was channeling Neil Young. But not in a bad way. Songs like "Hoover Dam" and "Man On The Moon" sounded like they were sung by a different person, but to my surprise it was all the one person. The production was terrible on this record, which I found distracting. Maybe it was listening to it on Spotify, but the levels seemed to be boosted WAY too high. "Remastered," indeed. I thought that a couple of songs sounded more smarmy than they meant to be ("The Act We Act," "A Good Idea") which took away from the song, for me. Ultimately, the production and vocals detracted some of it for me, but it wasn't a bad album. Just not great. Top tracks: "If I Can't Change Your Mind", "The Slim"
Yes, yes, yes! I get if you have no idea who this is, as I didn't either until about two years ago. I was listening to Husker Du's Warehouse as part of the 1,001 list and a couple songs from this album kept popping up on autoplay. I took immediate notice - who is THIS? Loved it. Bob Mould (from Husker Du) formed Sugar after going solo; he has help on bass and drums. I don't know what it is but this album just does it for me. I decided to listen to it a few months ago and couldn't stop playing it. The grungy bass lines and guitar licks (and Mould's perfectly matched vocals) to kick off the album on The Act We Act is a good start. The absolutely rocking second song A Good Idea (right from the throbbing bass and taking a hit from a bong? to the droning guitar riffs) locks it in. I dare you not to rock along. Changes, Helpless, If I Can't Change Your Mind, and Fortune Teller are also crunchy, rocking tunes. Man on the Moon closes the album just as awesomely as it opened (great hooks, great melody). Not a single weak song on this album. There are so many great grunge / alternative albums from the 90's but this one flew right under the radar. It should be right up there with other DIY'ers like the Pixies. It is now on my all time favorite list.
Somewhat generic 90s alt rock, but I enjoyed it. Favorite tracks: A Good Idea, Hoover Dam, The Slim, Slick, Man on the Moon.
Sugar made me wish I was diabetic
Is it good? yes. Is it groundbreaking? I don't think so. Do I still like it? Yeah absolutely. It's sort of an amalgamation of all the power-pop and alternative rock styles I enjoy, and while that makes it good it also sort of makes it background music. Favorites are Changes, Helpless, and Man on the Moon.
This one took me a couple listens to decide my feelings on. Do I like this? Or do I just like the bands this was inspired by? I’ve decided the answer is both. I’m a fan of this power pop slop. Favorite songs were The Act We Act, Helpless, and Hoover Dam.
Could be Mould best work overall....
Awesome. Not heard this for years. Still great
literally sweet
Fav: Slick Least Fav: Changes Enough to be pleasant, not enough to be interesting
Dit is 1 van de meest vergetelijke albums die ik ooit heb gehoord. Hoe is dit een album dat je echt gehoord moet hebben voor je doodgaat? If I can't change your mind is het enige nummer dat ik misschien nog een keer er uit zou kunnen pikken. Verder is dit misschien wel de meest gezapige rock die ik ooit heb gehoord zeg. De mix klinkt ook niet helemaal goed, waardoor de drums VEEEEEEEL te hard zijn op alle nummers. De zang is ook echt niet te verstaan, maar heel eerlijk? Ik heb toch niet het idee dat ik er veel aan mis. FAVO: If I can't change your mind
If someone asked me to make generic early 90s rock I would make this
Pretty middle of the road early 90s rock
Stereotypical 90's alt-rock. 1/5
Nice!
I couldn't imagine listening to this outside of a 90s rock (maybe grunge) playlist. There's nothing that would grip me it just sounds a bit worse than some of the time's greats. and HOW was it voted best album of 1992? Hello? Chronic, Dirty (Sonic Youth), the Cure album, but Pavement and Alice in chains would've all deserved it more
...
1992 - Rock
Technically competent but I don't like how it's mixed and I don't think it stands out in any way. D Seriously why is this on here, I've never heard of this artist ever, there isn't some hit single inflating the albums standing like the beta band album. Why is generic alt rock on here, this is the Posies but generic.
I’ve always liked this Bob Mould entity more than the critic’s darlings Husker Du. Better songs, not as harsh. 3.5, but not quite 4 material.
Sometimes you feel like a real dummy. When I was in sixth grade, “dark side of the moon” was probably my favorite album. Did I explore any more of Pink Floyd’s catalog? No, I did not. I probably did not know a single other song they did—except the “teachers leave those kids alone” song that got radio play—until college. This has proven to be a mistake. (If you, dear reader, have not heard of this obscure art-rock band called “Pink Floyd,” you should change that.) So it is here. I love Bob Mould’s solo stuff (especially the sunshine rock album). I don’t love Husker Du, exactly, but it’s fine enough. Did I ever ask, “hey did Bob Mould do anything for the, like, 20 years in between those projects?” Nope! Stupid. Dumb. [insert saved by the bell gif]. “Did Bob Mould, grunge grandfather, play music in the 90s, the grunge golden age?” What an obvious question to ask, he said, wondering why he never asked it. Anyway, I loved this from the first minute, obviously. I was singing along to helpless the first time I heard it; that’s undeniably catchy. This is like pure nostalgia for an experience I never had in the 90s but, at the same time, kinda did listening to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, etc.
This is someone trying to make 90's grunge rock commercial. It works about as well as you expect. I like it's inclusion on this list because it's a good reminder that people do in fact sell out.
I'm not that into the fast guitar, and I don't love the way Bob Mould sings. It makes me a bad Minnesotan b/c I'm not a huge fan of Husker Du either.
I thought I had never heard of these guys, but I had heard "Helpless" and "If I Can't Change Your Mind" before. This project is turning me into a Bob Mould appreciator, I'll definitely throw this on next time I'm in a pop punk kinda mood.
For the thirty-plus years since it's release, "Copper Blue" has been in my "Top Three" must-have albums. I wouldn't last more than a few days on a desert island without it. The listening experience gets even better when "Copper Blue" is paired with its "evil twin" EP, "Beaster", which was released about six months later. Infinite stars for this one. An excellent choice, Mr. Dimery.
I've not heard this one and I never really cared for Husker Du, so I wasn't sure what I was in for. Some reviews here say it's generic 90s alt, but looking at the year it came out, it seems like it defined the sound, not imitated it. 3.5 stars. Influential, but I don't like a lot of the bands they inspired.
Really good!
Good rock
Pretty good 90*s rock.
Could be a 5?
Man, tough for this album to come out in 1992, given what was released that year or the year before it. I don't think it even makes the top 20 most significant albums of 1992, in my book anyway.
Well, it wasn't very remarkable in either direction. Sugary 90s rock. Not going into my typical rotation, but not horrible.
## In-Depth Review of *Copper Blue* by Sugar Released on September 4, 1992, *Copper Blue* marks the debut studio album of the alternative rock band Sugar, led by former Hüsker Dü frontman Bob Mould. The album is widely acclaimed for its powerful blend of melodic rock and punk energy, showcasing Mould's evolution as a songwriter and musician. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also discussing its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The lyrics of *Copper Blue* are characterized by their emotional depth and complexity. Mould's writing often juxtaposes upbeat melodies with darker themes, creating a sense of irony that resonates throughout the album. - **Emotional Resonance**: Songs like "The Slim" tackle heavy subjects such as loss and grief, reflecting the impact of the AIDS crisis on personal relationships. The lyric "when you left with your death I felt empty" encapsulates profound sorrow and helplessness, making it one of the most poignant tracks on the album. - **Universal Themes**: Many lyrics are gender-neutral, allowing listeners to connect with the emotions regardless of their backgrounds. This approach is evident in "If I Can't Change Your Mind," which explores themes of love and longing while maintaining a relatable perspective. - **Irony and Contrast**: Tracks such as "Hoover Dam" feature upbeat instrumentals that contrast sharply with darker lyrical content. Lines like "if you've made a deal with the guy with the horns and the cape I'll see you later, babe" suggest themes of despair masked by a seemingly celebratory sound. Overall, Mould's ability to weave intricate narratives within his songs contributes significantly to the album's lasting impact. ### Music Musically, *Copper Blue* is marked by its rich textures and dynamic arrangements. The album showcases a blend of power pop and alternative rock that was influential in shaping the sound of early '90s music. - **Instrumentation**: The interplay between Mould's guitar work, David Barbe's bass lines, and Malcolm Travis's drumming creates a full-bodied sound that is both punchy and melodic. Tracks like "Changes" feature chiming guitars and glockenspiel that evoke a sense of nostalgia while maintaining an edge. - **Production Quality**: Produced by Bob Mould and Lou Giordano, the album benefits from meticulous production that enhances its sonic depth. The use of multi-tracking for vocals adds layers to Mould's singing, allowing for a more robust sound compared to his previous work with Hüsker Dü. - **Variety in Sound**: Each track offers something unique, from the driving rhythms of "Helpless" to the expansive soundscapes in "Hoover Dam." The diversity in musical styles keeps listeners engaged throughout the album. ### Production The production of *Copper Blue* is one of its standout features. Mould’s collaboration with Giordano resulted in an album that sounds polished yet retains an organic feel. - **Layered Soundscapes**: The production employs various techniques to create depth. For instance, reverse sounds and different guitar textures add complexity to tracks without overwhelming them. - **Balanced Dynamics**: The album successfully balances loud and soft passages, allowing for moments of introspection amidst energetic bursts. This dynamic range is exemplified in songs like "Slick," which starts with a quirky sound before transitioning into more aggressive sections. - **Influence of Grunge**: The production style reflects the emerging grunge sound of the early '90s, influenced by albums like Nirvana's *Nevermind*. Mould himself acknowledged this influence, stating that it opened up new avenues for his songwriting[4]. ### Themes Thematically, *Copper Blue* navigates a landscape filled with heartbreak, loss, and introspection while simultaneously celebrating resilience and hope. - **Heartbreak and Loss**: Many songs explore personal relationships strained by deception or loss. The recurring motif of emotional struggle resonates deeply throughout tracks like "The Act We Act" and "Helpless." - **Existential Reflection**: Songs such as "Hoover Dam" delve into feelings of insignificance against larger existential questions. The lyrics invite listeners to ponder their place in the world while grappling with personal demons. - **Resilience**: Despite its darker themes, there is an underlying current of resilience in tracks like "If I Can't Change Your Mind." This duality—between despair and hope—creates a rich listening experience that invites reflection. ### Influence *Coper Blue* has had a significant impact on both contemporary music and subsequent generations of artists. - **Pioneering Sound**: The album helped define the alternative rock sound that would dominate the '90s. Its blend of punk energy with melodic sensibilities influenced bands like Foo Fighters and Weezer. - **Critical Acclaim**: It has been included in numerous lists celebrating essential albums, such as *NME*’s Album of the Year in 1992. Its recognition speaks to its enduring quality and relevance in music history[4]. - **Cultural Legacy**: Mould’s work with Sugar paved the way for more introspective songwriting within rock music, encouraging artists to explore vulnerability through their lyrics. ### Pros and Cons #### Pros - **Emotional Depth**: The lyrics resonate on multiple levels, inviting listeners to engage deeply with their themes. - **Musical Diversity**: Each track offers something unique musically while maintaining cohesion as an album. - **High Production Quality**: The polished yet organic production enhances the listening experience without detracting from raw emotion. - **Influential Sound**: Helped shape alternative rock music in the '90s; its legacy continues to inspire new artists today. #### Cons - **Niche Appeal**: While critically acclaimed, some listeners may find its themes too dark or specific to resonate fully. - **Comparative Lack of Hits**: Unlike some contemporaries who produced multiple chart-topping singles, *Copper Blue* has fewer standout radio hits. - **Potential Overproduction**: Some purists might argue that certain tracks are overly polished compared to Mould’s earlier work with Hüsker Dü. ### Conclusion In conclusion, *Copper Blue* stands as a landmark achievement in Bob Mould's career and alternative rock as a whole. Its masterful blend of poignant lyrics, diverse musical styles, high production quality, and thematic richness has cemented its place in music history. While it may not appeal universally due to its darker themes or niche sound, its influence on subsequent generations remains undeniable. As both a product of its time and a timeless piece of art, *Copper Blue* continues to resonate with listeners who appreciate emotional honesty wrapped in compelling melodies.
I did not know what to expect, it sounded very grungey. Not my cup of tea, but still decent.
Wijs album I guess. A Good Idea had evengoed van de Pixies kunnen zijn. Voor de rest een nogal 'basic' alt-rock album uit de 90s. Had dit erop gemoeten? Neen. Stoort het? Neen. 2.9
3.5 stars if I could
I thought I was in for a long listen after first track, the rest I loved.
This felt generic. It's possible I'm missing something but I'll forget I heard this and don't see why it's critical listening.
Not a good first track. The vocals are getting trampled on. Sonically a bit repetitive. Hoover Dam has something going for it. Very much an encapsulation of the sound of it's time. I listend to quite a few bands that were probably influenced by this Bob Mould sound in the later end of the 1990s
Good
Needs a half rating. Not a 2 but not quite a 3. Trim the fat on this and it might have been a 3. Stop letting the tape run and end the damn song!
Dull unimaginative pop, sigh
Somehow captures the the worst of the 90s. Shit sound, shit vocals, shit lyrics, shit album art. Fuck this for real.
very reminiscent of the times. evokes a sense of nostalgia but not enough to want a relisten, everything sounds the same. favs: changes, if i can't change your mind
Not a fan
This was not terrible by any means, but was just kind of meh rock in my opinion.
another alt rock album from a forgotten band... it's always fascinating to listen to bands that i've never heard of till now, and i was pleasantly surprised with what i heard. a very melodic and somewhat muddy rock album, when the album first started i didn't think it was anything special, but the more i listened the more i ended up tapping my foot to some of the tunes. some diamonds in the rough here.
Very very ok.
Feels like one of those 90s alternative rock bands I always like so much. More of a poppy feel with the vocals. Not really a dull spot on here and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
Namen der Band noch nie gehört, Sound schon. Austauschbar!
I loved this album. Great rock music from the 90s from a band I’ve never heard of. Alt rock at it’s peak
Some regard this one an indie classic. I don’t, just find it boring retrospectively..
Sounds like R.E.M., which is not a good thing in my case… though I probably actually prefer this - which is far more energetic/less self-serious - to R.E.M.
Listened to first few tracks. Shite so far. Friends soundtrack on repeat.
Ok
"Husker Don't."
Carino, mix tra Nirvana, Rem e altri. Molto anni 90 ma nessuna traccia che mi ha fatto esaltare
Like a one hit wonder band from the 90’s only without anything that sounded like a hit.
Sugar just so happened to be what Bob Mould needed. After developing the land that future alternative rock acts would settle on with his band Hüsker Dü, Mould knew he needed a change of pace. The success of Nirvana's Nevermind and the construction of Bob's new band's Copper Blue was what resulted. Copper Blue is, perhaps, more intense and heartfelt and earnest than what the Dü had done before, which sounds like a high bar that could not be cleared but alas. The songs that make up Copper Blue, and the performances by the members involved, is a good enough indicator of what was now possible in the mainstream rock world and it was the prior efforts of the frontman that made it happen in the first place. Favorites: The Act We Act, A Good Idea, Changes, Hoover Dam, The Slim, If I Can't Change Your Mind, Fortune Teller, Slick.
Not bad. I can hear the instruments
Generic and boring - why is this in this list?
meh
One of the better offerings of that era
#400. Never heard of them before. Now I know why. A bit bland and generic. Nothing stands out. 2/5: meh Song added to playlist: Helpless I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
I'm a big fan of Hüsker Dü, so it's no shock I liked this. It's so sonically close, it feels like an extension of HD. I really like albums like this, where you can draw a straight line from hardcore punk into this softer, gentler sound. It keeps punk sensibilities while exploring a more accessible sound. The clavichord and organ on Hoover Dam give the song a huge boost. Anyone claiming these songs all sound the same probably just didn't listen close enough.
Pretty cool. Some obvious Husker vibes since Mould sang and wrote all the songs. More melodic than a lot of Husker Du songs but the songs still have hard edges. Quite enjoyable although maybe a bit dated now as it sounds very early 90s. That is a plus for me but might not work for others. Whatever, it’s all subjective.
That sucked. I don’t want to think about it no more :( 2/5
1992. Copper Blue is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band Sugar
Meh, pretty generic. Dude's voice sounds like Jack Black.
+: A Good Idea, Changes, Hoover Dam, Slick +-: The Act We Act, Helpless, The Slim, Man on the Moon -: If I Can't Change Your Mind, Fortune Teller 4,5/10
Quite generic 90s rock. Not bad, but not great. It's good background music.
I have listened, and I have forgotten. Next!
Strange album. Repeatedly takes awkward turns to force a pop sound.
Pretty alright of an album, nothing really exciting, just some generic tunes although given that this is from more than 30 years ago, it would've sounded pretty cool back then. I would say pretty meh nowadays though.
30/10/24 When I first heard the guitars, I had high hopes for this album, it just ended up being weak.
ez actually sokkal jobban tetszik mint az előző, de azért csak majdnem ötös. :D ezt fogom még hallgatni tho 😎
Not for me.
For 1992 it's pretty much where it should be but there's nothing new here. Think Psychedelic Furs 10 years earlier and you're almost there. It's not unpleasant though- quite a nice blend and kinda a Poppy Nirvana...lol!
Mid but fun
I’ll never understand the logic behind some of the punk-adjacent alternative albums chosen by Dimery and Co. for this book. I wouldn’t call Copper Blue bad by any means, but it isn’t particularly special. I think it has its moments, with “Helpless” as a clear highlight, but overall, it’s pretty indistinct ‘90s alt rock born out of the ‘80s college rock and/or art punk scene. I’m not against it, but I’m also not really in love with it, and there’s a lot of it on this list. I think Sugar’s biggest flaw is that they let their songs go on for too long, and I wonder if some hard 3:30 edits to their songwriting would improve Copper Blue, which feels longwinded and aimless on the whole. That said, there still isn’t anything unique here, either, and I think that might ultimately hold this record back most. I think the inclusion of an album like Copper Blue took space away from more interesting post-Nevermind records, like Helmet’s Betty or Quicksand’s Slip, not to mention Jawbreaker and Jawbox who both got signed off the expectation of repeating Nirvana’s success and whose major label output is still pretty influential in the scene, even if it’s less obvious now than it was in ~2011. In short, Copper Blue is fine, but definitely a strange, fringe pick that really only appeals to people looking for some late-era college rock aesthetics. I’m not really one of those people, so while I’ll pull a couple songs and add them to a playlist, Copper Blue won’t stick with me long.
This was fine. Definitely in the good tier of early 90s alt rock. Not super memorable but scratches the itch for that genre for sure.
A very generic form of 90s alternative rock. Nothing captivating or moving, just the same chords over different rhythms with the same generic vocals layered on top, singing uninspiring lyrics.
good album, enjoyable Alternative rock inspired by Nevermind, but takes it in an indie direction.
A good, surprising discovery. I knew Bob Mould continued on after Hüsker Dü, but I didn't realize he had put together something that echoed his old band as much as this. The result is a nice collection of heavy power pop songs, although a bit overproduced, that bring to mind the likes of Knapsack/The Jealous Sound, Archers of Loaf, Superchunk, and Pavement. Mould has an odd knack for melody, unique tectures, and, at times, the unusual chord changes which can make the listener feel a bit uneasy. I'm here for it. Copper Blue is a bit of the forgotten gem.
Uusi tuttavuus. Erittäin tunnistettavaa ysäriä ja en tiedä kumpaan suuntaan on otettu vaikutteita tämän orkesterin osalta. Viihdyin hyvin mukana kolmen soittokerran ajan.
Basic-renkutus. Ei kuitenkaan pahaa sanottavaa, joten keskitasolle nostettava
Was not memorable from Friday to Monday. Must not have been bad, but not good enough
The Nirvana/Pixies tribute band you never asked for. tbh. Some of the songs are too long too.
Interesting rock, more hard rock than I like
Feels more like the vibe of a album more so than an album itself if that makes any sense. Like very the song that’s playing in the background of moving closing season of a 90210 cali high school drama kinda show, where you can only half hear it. It may just be me but I often couldn’t understand what they were saying even when listening intently. Not bad though but background music for sure. Would give 2.5
Great album
i like hüsker dü so let’s see if i also like this… update: i forgot i actually do know this album. it’s fine!! but there’s soooo much music from the 90s that sounds like this that it just doesn’t stand out at all. except for bob mould being gay i guess. also (and this isn’t even my anti-stoughton bias talking) the production is really horrendous. i loathe that extremely tight treble-heavy compressed-sounding production on a lot of “harder” alternative rock from the 90s. let the music breathe a little why don’t you… fav tracks: a good idea
I got the gist after a few songs. Not for me but it’s fine
Meh
Honestly really good. Like a heavy distorition REM
Un-remarkable, Un-interresting, Un-inspired. I am sure I can think of more words starting with Un that are applicable to this album but I really don'r want to waste any more time to this.
3.5
Nothing stands out.
Do respect the quality of this work, but it's really not enjoyable listening for me. Mid 90s rock is soooo full of meh for me.
Generic, tepid, dated
Songs a little too much the same.
How incredibly generic
Boring but not bad. Also the R.E.M. affectation of the vocalist really grates on me.
While I prefer Mould's work with Husker Du Copper Blue is a solid album that brings things full circle, you can hear the influence of bands that he influenced.
Impressive
Sounds like any number of rock bands from the 90s/early-00s, but it wasn't bad at all.
This site determined to give me grungey vibes the whole way through October at this rate, and I am not opposed!! The opening tracks helped me imagine I was in some coming of age movie credits instead of just sitting at a desk at work
Pretty middle of the road.
Mid
You know, if I had a nickel for every American alternative rock album released in 1992 that had a song named "Man On the Moon" in the second half, I would have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Anyways, between this and R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People, this is definitely the weaker album. This is what Foo Fighters sounds like to people who don't like Foo Fighters. It is the definition of average alt-rock. It's fine. I would call it a good album, but it's not exactly an interesting album. The vocals are okay, as is the writing. The sound is good, but not my favorite. That's really how I feel about this album. It's not my favorite. However, I did like it generally. It just kind of feels like filler. Light 3/5. And with that, I am official 1/3 of the way through the list!
Cool, wel beetje te poppy voor mij
decent but forgettable 90s indie rock
Pop punk before there was pop punk.
Decent rock, if not a bit generic. The only real standout was Hoover Dam. 3/5
Forgettable
Very Rocky, Quote vocals
Best lekkerrrr
Solid stuff from the former Husker Du frontman. Nice slice of 90s alt rock with some grunge and a dash of post punk thrown in. I still wish Zen Arcade was in this book but I have no problem with this and I will listen again.
Hey look, it's Smashmouth before Smashmouth! Haha, because I know Smashmouth so much more, this felt derivative, but I think Smashmouth is the derivative one. Anyway, this was an enjoyable listen.
A perfect time capsule of the mid 90’s. I wasn’t expecting this to be so familiar to me. It’s got a real “soundtrack to summer” vibe.
Incredibly generic 90’s music
Sounds like many things I've heard, but not as good (probably new in 92...)
Sounds like foo fighters before foo fighters existed. Meh
This was great! Awesome alternative rock album. Its right up my alley. Not perfection but I really enjoyed it.
Quite generic 90s alt-rock, with the odd flourish to keep it from dipping to 2 stars, but not something I would hunt out again.
Listened while doing homework for this album too. It was okay. The lyrics were sometimes a bit corny, but the album is a bit corny. Standouts: The Act We Act, The Slim, and Slick.
I went on a huge 90's power pop kick within the last year and there's just something about the cheeriness and the focus on melodic hooks that I can't get enough of. Fountains of Wayne, Jellyfish, Matthew Sweet, etc., all of these artists were commonly in rotation. Sugar was among those too, but something was slightly different about them. I was wowed by the explosion of sound I was hearing, especially in their debut album "Copper Blue". Not to say it was anything like Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound", but the thick & vibrant guitar riffs mixed with frontman Bob Mould's baritone and sort of nasally vocals leading the melodies kind of did it for me. Some of the tracks on "Copper Blue" sound like they drag on a bit, but otherwise the middle of this album is really strong. There are some absolute earworms here too, which is the point of power pop. This wave of power pop kind of briefly came in and out of the spotlight, but it no doubt paved the way for pop-punk to emerge later, which is another one of my favorite genres. For that, I am grateful to these power pop acts such as Sugar & others. Who knew that songs based around yearning & despair would be so damn catchy?
Good guitar. Great lyrics. All songs too similar