Reviews (page 7 of 8)
3.5+/5
Preceded by Black Sheets of Rain and then this which also knocked out Beaster, a remarkable run and fine tuning of THE sound. 👏👏👏
?????
Not bad
brought me back to 90s rock radio
liked it way more than expected but still a few duds, 3.5ish
A riotous, balls-out, shouty cacophony of noise, yet somehow the internal melodies of each track shine through, carrying the listener along. Nirvana got the credit that Sugar deserved.
3/10, 30%
9/10 love this shit — so catchy I need to hear the deluxe remaster sometime
Taking me right back to teenager.
Lots of guitar I guess
Not for me 2/5
forgettable alt rock
First listen Saved 0/10
Not as good as File Under Easy Listening but great debut.
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
Could nickleback exist without this album
One hitter
album rempli de tous les clichés du alt rock des années 90. probably deserve a better score, mais pour le manque d'originalité 3/10
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
first half: some alright stuff second half: mostly corny stuff
Copper Blue packs the punch of stale bread, which has been chewed, gargled and spat back out. Its sogginess and general lack of flavour discourages further inspection.
Formulaic 90s teen rock. Nothing wrong with that but it doesn't deserve to be on this list.
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.
Pretty run-of-the-mill 90s alt rock. Not something I enjoy or care for.
This is some real basic bitch shit. I would rather listen to the FRIENDS theme song on repeat for 45 minutes than hear this album again. You're wasting my time, list.
I’ve panned a lot of albums on this list for being all one tone. I concede that Sugar is guilty of this, but I really like this album. I never pieced it together before, but I think the reason I don’t like Smashing Pumpkins is because they aren’t Sugar. Four stars +1 bonus star for the most aggressive tambourine playing ever recorded on a couple of those tracks.
Siri play me second rate 90’s rock
Very 90's, grungy, crunchy guitar. Contemporary comparison would be Drug Church.
Melodic sonic squall.
started out not very interesting, got better after first track, but still 1.9/5. listened 2x and it grew on me a little but still <2.4
Ass
Doing what Nirvana did before Nirvana was NIRVANA. Bob Mould's Hüsker Dü follow up is straight up alternative / grunge that sneaks in without being the in your face, pay attention to me that Kurt Cobain's band was. 3.5/5
Didn't know the band but I quite enjoyed this. Melodic alt-rock that got me nodding along consistently while sounding in no way revolutionary. Absolutely textbook 3 star album.
Finally, some melodic rock. However, every song sounds the same.
This was difficult to rate. The mixing was really bad at times completely drowning out the vocals with distortion. At time I couldn’t tell if lyrics were actually being sang! However the tracks either go from okay/passable to really good which makes the mixing a bit of a shame. I thought I’d get bored of this but I kept listening. I would give a 3/5 but because of the mixing I have to give 2.
Brilliantly fills the gap between grunge and britpop, hinting at the sound of Nirvana and oasis, foo fighters and biffy, Pearl jam and stereophonics. A great album I would never have otherwise heard, and exactly the point of doing this (in my opinion)
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.
Pretty decent 90s rock 3.6
Boring average rock 1 star
Toothless, safe rock music… yay, paired with some of the most annoying vocals I could imagine being sung on top of it. 2/10
Surprisingly ok since I'd never heard of them before. still not great.
A dense and punchy sound defined by a thick unrelenting guitar. Warm, bright and overdriven, Bob Mould's playing sits somewhere between rhythm and lead as heavy riffs turn into melodic hooks. Sonically they're often like the Pixies, but the songwriting doesn't use the loud/quiet formula so much and there's not as much space in the music, instead it's a dials in the red full on punk approach like Dino Jr, but with added Rem poppyness: harmonies, catchy controlled vocals, and the odd hard strumming acoustic guitar. 'If I can't change your mind' is a power pop song for 90s alt rock radio. It's a good album that starts strong, but I'd rather put on Husker Du or the comp bands. Favorites: changes, helpless, the slim
It's a fantastic guitar driven 90's album, where beautiful melodies meet heavy guitars.
It was okay. It wasn't particularly interesting. By the album cover I thought it'd be jazz or something
Being a Bob Mould project I went in thinking I would like it. Unfortunately it did not deliver. It’s not bad at all, and there are a couple of strong tracks, it’s just very inconsistent overall. However, if you’re ever asked to compile a soundtrack for a movie set in the 90s, and you just need something with “that sound,” here you go.
I remember this band from back in the early 90s. This album has a nice blend of punk elements (makes sense given Bob Mould's Hüsker Dü roots) with aspects of pop. I like it. I tend to shy away from heavily distorted guitars these days, probably from listening throughout the decades to so many different bands who lean on that effect, but it's effective for the songs on this record. Like any effect or technique, it's neither good nor bad in and of itself; it's how it's used. (Sorry, that sounds way more preachy than it's meant to be. You get the idea.)
A really nice follow up to Husker... I wish the production was crisper. Hart was a better songwriter...
6/10. Sure, this had some nice moments.
This album feels very derivative. It’s not bad, but it’s not nearly as good as its influences. 5/10
Disney Channel
It wasn’t really bad but repetitive.
I had never heard of this band, though had heard of the main guy. This was generally pretty enjoyable.
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
Pretty classic 90s alt rock. I don’t hate it. i don’t love it. I saved a couple. Won’t be coming back to the album ever probably but wouldn’t skip these liked songs if they come on
Bob Mould influenced by Kurt Cobain is about what you'd expect. Very 90s, grungy with some poppier songs in there. Not a bad album at all for a good nostalgia trip. But it's a far cry from Nirvana.
That’s Bob Mould alright. 3.5/5
Tja, het is tof, maar toch ook weer niet helemaal te gek.
Lekkere, herkenbare jaren 90 sound!
Lekkah!
Achterhaald en niet interessant.
Really enjoyed this new find. A Good Idea, Helpless, Hoover Dam and Fortune Teller me favorites.
Sounds like it would have been played on the radio in the 90s.
There's little bits of Oasis and grunge and Lemonheads and all other manner of 90s rock in here. Glad to have heard some for the first time.
why does this sound like an average quality sitcom?
The ramblings of a drunk dinosaur trying to fuck its way back into existence
None of this makes sense
Mmeeh
An alright 90s alternative album. Some of the songs had the style and sound for what could’ve been pretty popular songs however they seemed to lack in catchy lyrics. The instrumentals are very typical for a later 90s alt rock album so they were good at that. The downfall of the album was mostly the singer just being bland. 5.8/10
The description read like a perfect recipe for what I want to listen to, and the album did not disappoint in the slightest. The marriage of punk power chords and the alternative vocals really works well for me. The album itself feels like it transitions from punk to alternative as it goes on, and I love it. The instrumentation is simply fantastic--I hear REM in here very strongly. Favorite track: Changes
It's fine, vocals are a bit quiet though.
Meh
Had an abbreviated listen but a couple of tracks sounded good.
I'm prob the one in our group who likes this genre the most but even I have had enough.
I let ChatGPT write my review for this LP (but I won't do it again, or at least, not soon): "Copper Blue" by Sugar disappoints on multiple fronts. Despite the accolades, the album fails to deliver a truly engaging musical experience. While Bob Mould's previous work with Hüsker Dü showcased his songwriting prowess, this LP lacks the same level of creativity and emotional depth. The tracks tend to blur together, lacking distinctiveness, and the production feels uninspired. Mould's lyrics, too, fall short of the introspective and powerful storytelling seen in his earlier work. Overall, "Copper Blue" pales in comparison to Mould's prior achievements, leaving listeners with an underwhelming sense of missed potential and a longing for the past.
Not surprisingly this sounds very similar to Husker Du given that they're both headed by Bob Mould (I do hope that's an alias and not his real name). They sound a lot like their post-punk counterpart, REM with a sprinkling of the Pixies. This record is fine, but it is not essential in my book.
3*
Rock alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
For a split second, after being generated Sugar, I thought, “Oh, I remember these! This is Björk’s old band!” But nope, my brain is slow and the band I was thinking of are actually The Sugarcubes. I don’t think I’ve come across Sugar before. This is another band where Apple Music just describes it as alternative, which can literally mean anything based off their track record. Songs I already knew: none Favourites: If I Can’t Change Your Mind, Hoover Dam I listened to this in the car while driving to a nice nearby lake for a stroll. It was quite nice driving music. It is 90’s alt rock which, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, is always a safe bet with me. The singer’s voice sounded very familiar, but I can’t quite place who he reminds me of. There is a nice mix of distorted guitars and more twangy folk sounds here which make for a nice change of pace track to track without being too wild.
1.5 Some songs sounded like a continuation of Husker Du's melodic-hardcore kinda sound. Some sounded like unremarkable alt rock / jangle pop. One track sounded like the Pixies.
2 stars
Loved this. Bob Mould just has such a knack for hard, great pop hooks.
Basic AF indie/alternative. Sounded like Nirvana but as much as I like Nirvana, that's a negative here
Uhh, I understand there is a whole slew of questionable albums that somehow slipped through the cracks and made it onto this list, so I guess once again it's up to me to pull out the broom, and sweep the junk away. 🧹
One good song
Highlights: "Fortune Teller," "Hoover Dam," "The Act We Act," "Helpless" It does take its transparent influence from Nirvana in another harmonic direction, and in doing so it's definitely nailing the general tone of Foo Fighters before Foo Fighters -- but there are almost no hooks, no breathing room for ideas, and the vocals are always hidden in a haze of modulation. Somebody needed to tell Mr. Mould that if almost all your songs are ABAB they probably shouldn't all be four to five minutes, especially if like "The Slim" it's more like ABAAAAAAAAAA. In spite of being a little ahead of the curve, it comes across extremely samey.
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.
I liked this alright. It had its ups and downs though. I think overall I didn't love this, so I think it's 3.25/5
Will always be more of a Du guy, but this is still neat classic alt rock. Earns its place here. B-
This sounds like every 90s band ever.
So many better examples of this genre and from this year. No reason for this to be on this list.
A fine indie rock album nothing special though
Mad respect for Bob Mould, but I think the NME were way over their heads when they selected this first outing of his new act post-Hüsker Dü as the best album of 1992. Especially when you count all the better releases of that year (ones from Pavement, Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, The Pharcyde, Rage Against the Machine, The Goats, REM... Not to forget Tom Waits, The Cure, Neil Young, Swans, Gang Starr or Tori Amos...). 1992 is one year after Nirvana's *Nevermind*. I can picture a bunch of British rock critics desperately trying to link all those new "alternative" rock bands to some other artist they were more familiar with. Heck, even Mould himself does a pretty convincing imitation of Pixies in the second track of this album. "Convincing", I said... Which does not necessarily mean "thrilling" as well. The times, they were a-changing fast in 1992. It was hard for everyone (the music press AND the musicians) to catch up... The thing is, even in that field of "alternative" leftovers from the eighties--with a clear bridge to the past "indie" aesthetics and sound of that former decade--you had acts such as The Lemonheads that year, with a more striking album compared to that one here. *Copper Blue* is still a very decent record, don't get me wrong. Yet Sugar didn't add much to Hüsker Dü's legendary legacy when they released it. Besides, some of the tracks are too long (they often hit the 5-minute mark for no discernible reason). And others a little too predictable in their pop developments. Sorry, Bob Mould fans. Number of albums left to review: 470 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 252. Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 120 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 157 (including this one)
Generic 90s rock. Not that that’s a bad thing. Enjoyed but can’t see me revisiting this album.
I really enjoyed this, it had some elements of grunge but also 90s rock - kind of like the Breeders. There were also some moments that reminded me of 70s/80s art rock I.e. XTC which I really liked. I hadn’t heard of this band and was really surprised to see this was Bob Mould’s project. Husked Du came up on this on a previous day and I really didn’t like it, but I found this album to be way better produced, with more variety in the songs. I decided when I started doing this album challenge that I wouldn’t be too shy to give a 5 star rating and considering how much I enjoyed it on the first listen and how there didn’t seem to be any low points I think it qualifies as 5 star album. I will definitely come back to it.
An hour of my life wasted.
Nineties college rock - what's to like? Not for me, I'm afraid.
This is a very LOUD record. I'd forgotten that Sugar were on Creation. They appeared to be travelling in the opposite direction of other acts on the label at the time. The tracks flow together really well. Good Idea to Changes is almost a continuous song. If I Can't Change Your Mind could have been a Lennon and McCartney song. Seriously.
Very average. 2.5/5
every song sounds the same
Like R.E.M.'s Document, only smothered in shitty production
2/5 Best: Changes Worst: If I Can't Change Your Mind
This is just generic 90's/00's rock. sure the sound may have been new then, but it became commodified and was essentially pop, so it no longer is as good as it was. This is the type of music that would be in a teenager-focused movie/show at that time. It isn't breaking any new ground, but isn't terrible. Would not listen to this again if I didn't have to. A low 3/5
Vibes 3/5, dynamic & excitement 2/5, difficult to find the energy to think of things to say about it.
Fun enough and catchy alt rock I didn't care all that much for it
Good easy-listening rock album.
Getad sound men levde int typ helt upp ti de?
Pretty average alt rock. Wouldnt be that bothered about it except for the fact that this is on here while Zen Arcade isn’t. Baffling
Idk man
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.
Excellent next step for Bob Mould post Husker Du. Powerful album
Right up my alley.
The best, or at least my favourite post-Husker Du album from Bob Mould's power trio, Sugar. Mould's first couple solo records after Husker Du broke up were subdued and softer, but Mould turns up the volume again with his new band and Copper Blue is a return to melodic, catchy power-pop rock that was evident on the last Du record, Warehouse. Grant Hart and Mould released some decent albums in the 90's, but Copper Blue stands out and is there a better side one, especially the first four songs that open the album, in the 90's? Solid album and I still play it often!
it's all one song como dice neil. no lo terminé, paré en la enésima repetición de la misma canción.
Perhaps it sounds similar to other alt-rock albums at the time and not as original as his previous work but damn I love this album. Loud fuzzy guitar and I really like the way his vocals were recorded on this.
Mould is one of my favorite singer/songwriter/guitarists of all time. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve seen him from Hüsker Dü to solo to Sugar to solo again… This record has everything I love about his work. Full of hooks and also hard edged, moody or dark. Signature electric guitar growl but sometimes with jangly 12 string behind it, multi tracked harmonized vocals and such a full soundstage. This a super easy 5⭐️.
This is a great record. It captures the energy of the early Husker Du records and blends them with the 90s sound. Its surprising to see how well this works compared to the last Husker Du record.
It's very good. There are certain singers/artists that are just special and Mould is one of them. Sure, it's early 90s alt distilled into a single album, but there's nothing wrong with that, that sound the crunchy then jangly guitars, the severe overdubs, etc, are all part of the charm. Also I hear a lot of influences for more popular music (espcially early Foo Fighters) on this album. Sort of how you can tell how much The Pixies influenced Nirvana, I feel Grohl must have had this album on repeat when he was creating writing.
Boring music poorly produced.
Fine early 90s power pop with good melodies. Think I'd rather listen to any Husker Du album though. 3.5/5
Catchy, feel like I heard these songs on the 90s radio all the time.
Listened through all of this, excited for Man on the Moon, only to find out it wasn't the Man on the Moon that I was expecting. All in all, not bad, but pretty unspectacular. My man's voice got on my tits a bit.
"I'm making a 90s US college movie. There'll be frat house shenanigans and young adult lessons to be learned. I just need the perfect inoffensive soundtrack... this sugar album.... perfect!!!"
Diesem Album hört man die 1990er an. Insgesamt hörenswert (und damit gerade so drei Sterne), sticht aus dem Jahrzehnt heraus. Kannte ich nicht.
not bad, thought it was gonna be more grungey and glad it wasn’t! the singer sounds like the guy from Blues Traveler
Solid alt rock album from one of punk’s pioneers. Love how crunchy and melodic this is, definitely one that influenced many. It doesn’t exactly jump off the page, but a solid listen overall.
I like it when they sound like the Pixies. Actually, I just like the Pixies really.
Mouldy
verdigrised
Nice finding. It's kinda like foo fighters...
Zalige ontdekking! Beetje Foo Fighters avant la lettre. Enorm van genoten
Definitely a band from the 90s. Sounded like REM mixed with Collective Soul. Decent stuff but nothing too thrilling
Melodic rock, but rather same-ish. Might need another listen for melodies to sink on.
Nah don't like it.
This is not really doing anything for me. It sounds like generic background 90s alt/punk rock. The lead singer’s voice is really whiny sounding on a lot of the songs. It’s just consistently mediocre, there’s basically nothing interesting happening except If I Can’t Change Your Mind (which is unique and actually good). Maybe I'm just in a bad mood today, I don't know. I don’t actively hate this, but am struggling to understand why it made this list. Favorite song: If I Can’t Change Your Mind Other: The Act We Act
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
Made me want to drink
Rock alternativo. Ni fu ni fa. Mira, me ha rallado tanto el que la voz sea tan baja y que casi ni se les entienda que le voy a poner un 2.
Alternative rock. 90's.Bien.
Iconic but I never actually got it.
This has a very 90s grunge-tinged sound while feeling a bit more listenable and pop (which is a good thing, as far as I'm concerned). Having never heard this before, it doesn't beat out the giants of the 90s, but it was a fine listen today.
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.
Sounded very similar to foo fighters both in voice and style. I know this guy used to be on Husker Do (or Don't) but I'm not super familiar with them either. It wasn't a bad album, some nice rifts, but I was struggling to find where it stands out amongst the great ones on this list and doesn't sift closer to the bottom of the "why is this on here" pile.
Not bad at all. Never heard of this group before, and their sound is kind of generic alt-rock, but amid that well-worn style they crank out some pretty solid jams and melodies. Apparently this band is led by someone from Husker Du, that's a band I've definitely heard of but don't know very well. I didn't expect to come away with a handful of tracks from this so count me as pleasantly surprised. I can't exactly say it earns a place on a list like this, but I enjoyed myself. Really, really dug the weird guitar break on "Man on the Moon." Favorite tracks: Man on the Moon, The Slim, Changes, A Good Idea. Album art: Not much to this one at all, two waves of color (copper and blue) with the title and band written on top. What's there to say? 3.5/5
I had completely forgotten this album, but as soon as I saw the cover and started playing it, I was whisked back to the lounge rooms of countless share houses in the 90s. Something about this music doesn't stick for me though
An extremely forgettable 90s release and a reminder that neither Yo La Tengo nor The Cranberries made this list.
It's the grunge-inspired pop alt rock that dominated 90s radio. But this is decent albeit highly commercial. It's coherent and it's a bit catchy, although mostly forgettable and lacks any tracks that leave a huge impression. Tracks do go on a bit too long. It's by the second band of Bob Mould after the revolutionary post-hardcore Huskur Du. He's a good guitarist and vocalist, but this is certainly a step-down. Favorites: A Good Idea, Changes, The Slim, Slick
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.
Not bad, but kind of all gloms into one big mush. Each song feels like it drags just a little too long but none of it is bad. Going to forget I listened to this in about 72 hours. 2.5/5
Not usually a huge fan of punk, but enjoyed this more than I was expecting to.
A wall of constant, unyielding noise. Couldn’t wait till it was over. The only positive: I can imagine rearrangements of some songs being performed by other bands coming out decent.
Hoover Dam is a major keeper. The rest is pretty often but so damn dense. It tires the ear, and the brain, all at once!
OK
Pretty meh. I would take the first two Cranberries albums over this one if I want early 90s alt. 🤷 I'll give it like a 2.3. (Rounded down )
Cool.
Copper Blue is the debut album by American alternative rock band Sugar. The album is critically acclaimed for its melodic punk rock sound. Bob Mould - guitarist/vocalist - attributed the release of Nirvana's Nevermind the previous year as a catalyst for people to then appreciate the sound of punk rock that Mould had been working on for the past two years before releasing this debut album. The themes on this album are akin to other punk albums, so fans of this music should like this album. I thought the music on Copper Blue was very good and had that punchy punk feel while also using crafty melodies that could get stuck in your head. It's a great alternative rock album from the early 90's that may have been overshadowed by giant acts of the time like Nirvana.
Sounds like the less talented love child of the Foo Fighters and Buck 65
look, i know they predate Nickleback by considerable time, but that's the vibe i got
Enjoyed the indie grungy vibe
Generic, inoffensive.
Not really bad but incredibly generic and forgettable
Just a really bland and boring version of what a lot of bands at the time sounded like. Nothing really unique or interesting to say about it.
Although most songs are pretty similar in case of melody, you can argue that the whole album has its style.
2.5
2.5
A prominent feature in my college radio era, back when we just called it all "alternative". Hadn't listened to it this in a good long while, surprised by how soft and mainstream a lot of it felt. Felt fairly lukewarm about this.
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…
Shallow shite
Bland, seems like the mixing didn't age well at all
Instantly forgetable.
Perfectly adequate. No more, no less
Right down the middle of the road.
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.
Score: 20 Album art: 20 This album is completely pointless. It's mixed like shit, sounds like shit, nothing is interesting the entire runtime. The vocals are not good either, and that's when you can even hear them. The drums sound godawful. The lyrics are the definition of vapid and lazy. By the end of it i was getting pissed at how inane and repetitive it was.The number of better albums in the 90s goes into the 1000s. Take this shit off the list
Hi! It's me! Lover of 90's alt and grunge! This album fits right in to my likes - a blast from the past! The sound is a mix of many of the bands I enjoy from that time, especially REM, The Barenaked Ladies and Gin Blossoms. Liked some of the heavier sound with the lighter melodies. Album is consistent all the way through, second half even better. Great lyrics throughout. Definitely a product of it's time, maybe a little generic sounding, but it's my happy place. I will listen to more of Bob Mould's stuff. Fave Songs: Hoover Dam, The Slim, Slick
It's good but another pretty generic rock record all considered. Stuff like this can't continue getting the equivalent of a 2:1.
Offensively American
To steal from one of the top reviews on this, it genuinely sounds AI-generated. So many albums out there better than this sludge
Not my thing. Very 90s. Grunge-Indie? See why it didn’t catch on. Sot The Way We Act Hoover Dam If I can’t change your mind 2/5
Straight down the middle. Not something that brought inspiration, but I can appreciate the music that it clearly inspired. My 13 year old self thought it was pretty profound, but I'm 30 years too late.
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
Definite early 90s vibes from this one - reminds me of early Foo Fighters or Barenaked Ladies
not for me? kinda generic-sounding 90s rock
Best Song: If I Can't Change Your Mind. I could easily see this playing over a montage in a 90s movie where the guy is trying to convince the girl he's been pining over to fall for him. Worst Song: Man on the Moon. Might not have been the worst (although that breakdown was awkward), but I was definitely tired by the whiny drone by this point. Overall: It's just a bit boring, isn't it? Certainly not so notable to make a list like this. It sounds like a popular local band that never made it big.
There was a year or two in the early 90s where AOR, in an effort to not get dragged down by hair metal's sinking ship, hitched its wagon to grunge. Its core blandness remained intact, but swapped out Charvel guitars, hot-rodded JCM800s and nice hair for telecasters, AC30s with fuzzboxes and flannel. It was still completely adult contemporary otherwise: predictable song structures and chord progressions, sing-along choruses and slick production etc, but it now SORTA KINDA looked like Pearl Jam in the same way it'd KINDA SORTA looked like Skid Row a bit earlier. The biggest offenders were the Gin Blossoms, Soul Asylum and the Lemonheads (that I remember); Sugar fits in perfectly. But unlike Soul Asylum, I'm hearing Sugar for the first time in 2023 and without the nostalgia factor it's pretty boring. It's not awful by any stretch, but I'll never listen again. 3/5.
Unbearable!
Loved this album! A true fusion of the top rock bands of the 90s. Reminded me a mix of Manic Street Preachers, a bit of REM with some slightly heavier surprises added in. Great stuff.
Don’t think I’ve listened to anything more quintessentially 90s, an enjoyable listen but purely from a nostalgia POV
Decent early 90s alternative. Nothing on here really sticks out to me though. It’s not bad but not interesting. Double tracked vocals, some distorted guitars, and some power pop elements. Reminds me of the Lemonheads. Someone said this sounds like if AI tried to make 90s alternative music and that pretty much ruined this album for me lol.
Meh…
Very generic sounding
Not bad, I liked it! Cool to learn they inspired Nirvana even though apparently the singer didn't like that, lol!
Fantastic album, the genius of Bob Mould
Pretty standard fuzzy alternative here. Nothing surprising here if you have heard late 80's/early 90's alternative before. It's not bad. But a little boring. Husker Du is better if you are looking for something like this but with more bite.
There is quite a lot of noice
Oasis did it better. 4/10
If I didn’t pay attention to the music, I wouldn’t been able to tell the difference between the songs. Lack of variety in the drums and guitar melodies. Sometimes it sounded like white noise.
Points for an artist that reinvents themself, but I can't get over how every song is laid out in the first 15-30 seconds, and then it's just a loop thereafter. The album made for fine alt-pop airtime filler when radio stations were clamoring to fill their dockets with "grunge", but I don't think this one really stood the test of time as being something I had to hear.
2.5 Kinda sounds like the Friends band
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.
Also very 90s. Didn’t hate it, but not sure why I had to listen to this album before I die. Proper neggy comment, I know.
90's corny with some okay moments. Took a bit of a turn when 'If I can Change Your Mind' came on. Felt like the intro to a Friends spin off.
Not bad. Early 90s alternative
I enjoyed this album, 3*
Yeah that was fun. Not sure how I've never heard of them before. I think if I kept listening to the album it could become a 4-er but I'll stick with a high 3 for now.
A pretty damn good blend of melodic pop and grunge/alt rock. Lots of Pixies and REM influence to be heard in there. The vocals and lyricism could be better. But the songs are basically good, and there's a lot to like
It’s ok but feels a bit one note with not much standing out. In large part I think that might be because the vocals are quite flat
90s rock. Awesome rock album.
Completely and utterly forgettable. It did not register once on my interest meter.
Brilliant return from Bob Mould -a great songwriter Loved Husker Dü always melodic These songs pull that forward plus plus Every song is a cracker Some great break up songs … beautifully dark in places Solid album - I played and played it - 30 years ago 😳
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
J'attends mon prince charmant (un bon album)
je pensais pas que ca allait être ça donc un peu déçue
No, Bob Mould didn't rip off The Pixies or Nirvana. In fact both of those bands have copped to being influenced by Mould's previous band Hüsker Dü. Sugar was Mould's return to the power trio format after a couple of pretty great solo albums. Perfect loud power pop, If I Can't Change Your Mind is an all timer, Changes, Helpless and Hoover Dam are also highlights.
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.
Not a big sound of this sound so far, not really my thing.
Kinda boring. Maybe good at the time, maybe revolutionary... I'm not sure. And I probably won't ever really know 🤷🏾♀️
A classic
Совершенно неоригинальный альбом. Формула из трека в трек одна и та же, звук совершенно устаревший, заимствованный от буквально каждой группы того времени. Тексты не лучше, они будто написаны ребёнком без какой-либо способности писать что-то действительно стоящее. Единственный плюс этого альбома - гитара, она хоть и доставляет особого удовольствия и не привносит в треки ничего интересного, но хотя бы умудряется звучать довольно хорошо. (4)
Definitely a product of its time. Feels locked in on that particular era's style, wouldn't really call it a timeless album for that reason. Overly stylized I guess.
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.
2 pretty ok
90s skater boy tunes
A great album
Pretty average 90s alt-rock. Nothing special and some okay guitar work, but it does sound samey in the end. Nothing remarkable and at least it isn't 60 minutes long.
Beetje cheezy, niks aparts
Never heard of them, but pretty good
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.
Dawno nie mialem plyty do ktorej tak sie zrazilem po pierwszej nutce jak do dzisiejszego picka, w takich momentach nachodzi ochota na kolejny haitus oo
Bob Mould 4 life
This is another 90s band that I am unfamiliar with, yet still has that 90s sound that is quite nostalgic to me. And so, I mostly enjoyed the album, but same as the others examples, my music tastes have continued to evolve and move forward.
Luistert lekker weg, nooit gehoord van deze gasten en er zullen ook wel geen straatnamen naar vernoemd worden.
Kijk. Dit is nou leuk. Een aardig plaatje dat ik nog nooit had gehoord. Het is zo'n album waarbij alles wel ok is. Geen echte uitschieters. Niet naar boven en niet naar beneden. Daarom zal het ook wel een vergeten album zijn. Maar een steady nette kwaliteit leveren, dat is (helaas) al bijzonder op zichzelf.
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.
It is not quite a grunge album as it is a little bit too upbeat. It is wasn't a bad album but I do not think I will revisit it.
This album slaps in you in the face straight out of the gate but from Helpless onwards reminds me more of Barenaked Ladies than punk :D Fave track: A Good Idea.
Wow, this could be the reference specimen for early nineties alt rock. It's truly generic, but for a genre I kinda like, so I guess that's not a bad thing. Fun experiment - close your eyes, skip to any track, and watch as the opening credits to a nondescript teen drama TV show that doesn't exist play out on the inside of your eyelids.* Fave track - Uh, "Hoover Dam", maybe, or "The Slim". Nothing from the second half of the album because try as I might, it all just starts blending together at that point... * Offer not available to aphantasiacs.
7/10
Not my cup of tea.
Heavy grunge
favourite song: the act we act least favourite song: hoover dam incredibly boring and safe sounding
Decent. 3/5
Bob Mould is a legend but I’d rather listen to Husker Du. Didn’t do much for me. Nothing memorable
Out of all of albums from 1992, how did this make it on here? Not good. Copper Poo.
Loved Husker Du but didn't know about this. Pretty good.
Hmmmm
meh
This sounds like a forgettable example from an era of much better grunge/indie rock. Not my thing, too generic sounding.
Some of the songs are catchy but much of the album just blends with each other with a generic sound
I didn't know this album at all - it had completely passed me by - though I did know the big hit when it got to it. I enjoyed this, melodic grunge from an era in which I spent a lot of time buying music and going to indie clubs. Well worth a listen.
Favorite song: Slick
Sounds like Pearl Jam, but like with a heavy pop-rock sound. I can definitely see the appeal of a band like this. This definitely is pop-punk and grunge put together, and is like a heavier version of what Green Day was doing at the same time. OK, fine, I think I love this album, it has like the jingle-jangle sound with the pop punk and the grunge, and that's pretty good; I'm a sucker for a melodic rock record, especially ones that can be McCartney-esque at times.
It’s ok. Never heard of them or any of the songs. 2/5
“I if I can’t change your mind” is the soundtrack to every 90’s movies montage. A lot of people I know find this album very influential but I first really heard it more than 10 years later. Good album but also sound of its time.
Eh, this was OK. Definitely early 90s alt-rock. Nice and nostalgic, but not particularly memorable. Ain't no "Hey Jealousy", if you know what I'm sayin'....
Sentimentality has arrived! I had a friend whose roommate was blasting random songs on his stereo, he was all bummed about a breakup, and "A Good Idea" came on, and I was like what is this who is this omg omg. He let me borrow the cd and I wore this thing out. This album is so emblematic of the best of the alt rock sound of the early 90's, it's got some serious rockin' tracks, some grooves, some bizarre lyrics that maybe are stupid nonsense or maybe I'm just stupid and don't get it, and of course I would assume the latter.
This sounds like what you'd get if you searched "90s grunge" in a royalty-free music library. It's like the diegetic music you'd hear in the background of a teen film set in 1992. Like a previous reviewer said, it's like it was produced by an AI trained on existing grunge albums. Its biggest flaw is being dull and having nothing new to say. I'm not a huge fan of the genre butni know what's good and this just isn't. I'm honestly surprised it's in the list.
J’ai pas aimé ça
I didn't care for this. Super receptive, annoying voices and uninspired writing. Boring and a waste of time. Also, I'm in a real bad mood and haven't even finished but sounds like Nickelback.
Not bad. Kinda blends together but still good
Solid alt-rock with a range of styles. Some songs reminded me of Pixies, others reminded me of R.E.M. Grungy songs are mixed with bright and sunny pop songs. Overall probably not something I’ll spin often but I enjoyed it.
The singer has a similar tone to Michael Stipe of R.E.M. fame but unfortunately he doesn't have the same level of versatility or emotion involved. I feel like the vocals alone come across as kind of flat and uninteresting. The melodies are pretty straightforward and it's a lot of same-note repeating that usually is a good trick for writing a catchy chorus or something like that, but I think this band uses it too much. The most played song on the album, "If I Can't Change Your Mind" is VERY R.E.M. sounding, with the super upbeat drums and acoustic guitars that push it forward. Overall I don't love it and I question it's place on this list.
..., ..., , , ...
Ça démarre bien. J'aime beaucoup le son, mais on ne révolutionne rien ici. Ce projet est apparu au moment où ce son était populaire et le fait que c'était le nouveau projet de Bob Mould a probablement contribué à sa diffusion. Son band précédent Hüsker Dü a certainement eu plus d'impact que celui-ci même s'il a été moins populaire. Donc effectivement, ça cadre dans la philosophie de cette liste, mais ça n'a apporté rien de neuf. Respect pour le gars, ce n'est pas désagréable, mais on oublie vite ce qu'on vient d'écouter.
Good old rock, a vintage classic sound. Very satisfying find
HL: “Man On the Moon”, “If I Can’t Change Your Mind”, “Hoover Dam” Unfamiliar with all of this, I guess Canadian radio has this 90’s alt-rock niche filled with the Barenaked Ladies & the Hip. I appreciate it for the poppy melodies shining through the distorted guitars. September 18, 2022
Good good
Hoover Dam is a good tune. I'm not a huge Huskar Du fan so this sort of leaves me in the lurch. Its a pleasant sound at least.
Meh
Liked it very much. A nice upbeat rock album. Good tunes. Just missed some sologuitars sometimes though.
90s alternative rock to the t. I didn't save any songs off this album because it's not my fave genre, but very catchy and melodic. Transports me back to my mom driving me and my little bro to the pool when we were kids because it just has that exact aesthetic of radio songs in that era.
So. I started off by mistaking this for "Throwing Copper" by Live, beloved of 120 Minutes-types in 94 and 95. Trying to unpick this cognitive dissonance in my head took me down quite a few unexpected rabbit holes. (Why was Chad Taylor fired? How does Ed Kowlacyzk own 55% of Live? How does one calculate this?) But I digress. I really wanted to like Hüsker Dü once upon a time. They seemed like a band that I should like. (See also Interpol). I could't. Not for trying, very hard indeed. But I did learn quite a bit about Mould, Hart and Norton. This, by Mould's post Hüsker band Sugar isn't *bad*, but ... let's put it this way. It was NME's Album of the Year in the early 90s – its most reactionary era, befuddled by rave and trip hop and acid jazz etc. (fair's fair - I'm still befuddled by acid jazz.)
Ihan ok! Tempoo vähä ois voinu olla 3/5
Hmh olipas aika keskinkertainen. Joitain pirteitä hetkiä niin ei nyt ihan ykköseen jätetä.
Eh vähän tylsähkö. Jotain hyviä biisejä joukossa, mut kokonaisuus 2/5
Used to really like this when it came out. Despite not listening to it for at least 20 years, turns out I still do.
At first I was liking what I was hearing. But as it goes on, it's just too stereotypical 90s alt band. Not unlike bands like Super Chunk or Pixies, it eventually wears itself out after a few listens. It's literally just power chords playing open for the entirety of the album, and some disjointed chords to be edgy. Maybe in the 90s this was great. But after the 90s Grunge, 2000s alt / indie / emo era, this is just very dated. Leaves me thinking "So What?"
So forgettable. Generic, might've been great at the time, but I wasn't impressed by all but one song on this whole album. Meh
Never heard of that band. Kinda sounds like The Pixies. Then not so much. This is a solid 1.
Got some good Violent Femmes vibes from this album, glad to hear about this band.
this will be a boring review, because it was kind of a boring album. it wasn't bad music (and there has been some bad music on this list! i know this wasn't bad). it was just unremarkable to me.
I mean, I'm always a sucker for 90s alternative rock, so they had me at that. It was fine; I enjoyed it. However, this sounds like a massive off-brand compilation of every popular sound and style of the time, minus all the bands that made these sounds and styles popular. I really don't know what makes this album a worthy contribution to this project. Then again, this came out in 1992, so maybe they were ahead of the curve on all of these sounds? Very middle of the road. Neither under- nor over-whelmed with this. It was average, but enjoyable enough.
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.
SUGAR !
3.5/5
Quality dad rock
What a great rock album! The dynamics are there, diversity of songs, some more folk and pop while the others more grunge, a very cool guitar song, vocals similar to REM, and all in a great run time. Nirvana is the gold standard for 90s rock, but these guys bring a fantastic rock album to the list.