Customer Reviews

Bang the Earth Is Round

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When the Sugarplastic released "Bang, The Earth Is Round" in 1996 they were already almost two decades out of time. Sounding like a less fidgety version of early XTC, singer/songwriter/guitarist/producer Ben Eshbach created a clever, melodic, and - above all - quirky pop gem. And although it shines with musical ingenuity, there may be too high a cute-factor in the album's obtuse lyrics and major hooks for it ever to rise above cult status. Highly recommended for the few, however.

I was exposed to this album by a fellow XTC fan and I instantly fell for it. Smart, quirky and infectious. Give it a spin.

A great CD from a band that is totally themselves. Meaningful lyrics, beautiful melodies, and tunes you'll be hummin' as you dream about what could have been if Yoko never existed.

I love this album. I've literally worn out two copies of it, its so much fun!! 'Montebello' being the crowning glory to an all-around great album, this band has definetly tweeked their style to sound new, fresh, and original. This album is what pop should have been.

"Bang The Earth Is Round" should have established the Sugarplastic as the leaders of the new pop movement, but major label apathy prevented this band from reaching the mass of discerning fans. Nonetheless, "Bang" is a testament to their particular brand of musical genius. Sugarplastic mastermind Ben Eshbach's witty worldplay and the bands brilliant arrangements in gems like "Polly Brown," "Montebello," and "Little Teeth.".

While this is a fantastic cd, it's similarity to XTC is uncanny. Knowing that Andy Partridge and the rest of the XTC crew have worked under various pseudonyms, my first reaction upon hearing Bang was that it must be one of them. Everything from their general quirky song-writing style to their well crafted vocal flourishes and harmonies is imitated. That aside, it's still a masterwork of intelligent pop with some truly creative guitar work. You might also do well to check out The Starlight Mints if you like this album.

One strange quality about getting older is that things you're already familiar with repeatedly get recategorized and renamed. Twenty five years ago the Sugarplastic would have been dubbed "Beatlesque" and that would have been that, but now I hear the term "Power-pop" thrown around more and more when describing a band like this. Not that it matters, but it is the habit of busy worker bees to put everything in its place, whether or not that particular shelf may simply have been given a new placard.

Anyway, it's hard not to love this band, that much is for sure. Their songs evoke so many sixties influences that it would take some time to lay it all out there. It's also quite evident that these guys have listened to their share of XTC over the years. That more than any other influence seems to shine through, but it's all filtered through a beautiful prism of pop sensibility.

Strange these guys never hit the big time, especially considering the brilliant consistency found in their other albums "Will" and "Radio Jejune." The lyricism and melodies are of a caliber one usually associates with Crowded House, Michael Penn, or even World Party. Let's hope they stay together for another album or three.

Definitely worth a listen. You'll be surprised.

I am a big XTC fan, and almost everyone mentions similarities, but I find this band different enough and worthy in the originality department. If one HAD to think this were XTC, it would be Drums and Wires (except "Polly Brown" sounds Dukes of Stratosphearical). This, I feel, is their best record.

As someone else pointed out, "Soft Jingo" is haunting when it bottoms out after an assault of noise at 1:20 and briefly becomes an environmental piece of great merit. But it is just that, a moment!

If someone listens to and doesn't like "Polly Brown", I would like to see this person quarantined from reviewing music online. "Montebello" and "Another Me" likewise shine.

Found this CD in a used/under $3 bin at Venus Records...lucky me. It's silly. It's fun. You'll tap your feet, nod your head, and wake up feeling a bit younger than you did. Promise. (kind of reminds me of 'heavenly')

A great CD from a band that is totally themselves. Meaningful lyrics, beautiful melodies, and tunes you'll be hummin' as you dream about what could have been if Yoko never existed.