Customer Reviews

Bully

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Last summer, it became obvious that I needed a fresh power pop injection. As musically interesting as it can be, too much prog-rock and fusion can be socially alienating. After watching "Bully" come up high on my recommendation list for six months, and listening to only the title track, I took the plunge and gave it a try. Again, I have to sing the praises of the Amazon recommendation system. Bully is a nearly perfect pop album that has stood up to many, many listenings and won over many new fans since last summer.

The analogy that many reviewers have made to Queen is very appropriate overall. Although not as orchestral in scope as Queen generally were, the attention to vocal harmony and theatric quality of Sugarbomb's approach is unmistakably influenced by Queen. There is also an obvious Beatles influence, perhaps by way of Queen. However, it is extremely important to note that Sugarbomb is in no way derivative. These classic influences are tempered by sounds that clearly define them as a late-`90's group. "Motormouth" deftly mixes a McCartneyesque verse with punky Blink-182 drums and singsong whiteboy rap in the style that Third Eye Blind popularized a couple of years ago. Like Jellyfish, Chomsky, Ben Folds Five, and other great modern pop groups, they are both unique and familiar.

In previous reviews I have stated that the component of modern power pop music that is really the most challenging is the lyrics. They have to be accessible and meaningful, but not cheesy or derivative. Over the past thirty years, the standard for cleverness has become impossibly high. Well-crafted and honest lyrics can make a good pop album into a possible classic. Sugarbomb really excels is in this department. Even on the one or two not-so great songs (because they are all at least good - very little filler), the lyrics are extremely accessible. They are intelligent enough to consistently make a point, but never serious enough to alienate the listener.

Although I bought "Bully" solely because I fell in love with its title track, and think that "Motormouth" is possibly a personal classic, there are several other songs that will most likely have you singing along in no time. "What a Drag", "Posterchild for Tragedy", "Mail-Order Girlfriend", and "Hello" are all 9 on a 10 scale. A couple of songs are not quite as musically engaging, like "Over", "Clover", and the super-Queeny "After All", but even these have really good lyrics.

It's a crying shame that the music industry continually destroys bands like these. It seems obvious from the great presentation (cover art really is quite clever) that someone had big plans for this group. Yeah, it's out of print and it seems the band is no longer around. All the more reason to pick it up used as soon as possible.

The lowdown: If you have been thinking about going to stay at a condo on the beach with a really loud stereo, this is your album. Pretty much everyone will like something about it. Its energetic and fun, and actually holds up extremely well under repeated listenings.

I work for a radio station here in Chi-town & I first heard these guys after finding their cd in the throw away bin at work. (Sadly a pretty typical pile for new artists.) Of course we never played them - we all know big corporate radio is all about playing it SAFE. The same 10 or 12 songs over & over & over... Same deal with Big studio movies - they aren't better because they don't have to be - they still can make their billions selling mediocre stuff.
But on to Sugarbomb - what a pleasure to listen to these guys & a shame they're not together anymore. Nicely layered rich tracks, lovely vocals (yup Beatles, Crowded House etc.) and who doesn't respect a band who loves Queen? You won't be skipping songs with this one and you can pick up Bully at unbelivable price, when there's so many no talents out there at two and three times the cost! I'm still at a loss as to why talent has so little to do with making it in this world...

These guys should be huge ... here's hoping they get noticed. If you enjoy the new Weezer album, then BULLY is a must. This quintet out of Texas will knock your power pop socks off with their barrage of hooks, crunchy guitars and tight harmonies. They're a bit like a revisitation of Jellyfish's retro sound ... those elements of Beatles, ELO, Queen, Sweet, 10CC, etc. It's great knowing there is still genuine, quality pop music being made in the wake of manufactured teen pop, carbon copy Blink 182 bands and obligatory rap-metal hybrids. You won't regret this purchase if you're a lover of power pop. Don't judge a band's success based on -- god forbid -- the airwaves.

Still lamenting the death of Queen? Have a hankering for gorgeous, Beatles-esque harmonies glazed over layers upon layers of crunchy guitars and swirly keys? Pleased by quirky lyrics and upbeat rhythms? Then look no further. From radio ready pop ("Hello," "What a Drag") to massive Queen-like anthems ("After All") there's something here for everyone that enjoys their pop with a healthy dose of guitar crunch.

These days, there's not that many new CD's that see heavy rotation in my CD players- this one is a pleasant exception to that trend! This Texas band has crafted a strong collection of highly melodic rock songs that should be all over the radio: they combine great songwriting with the Beatles/Jellyfish/Queen influences with an instantly-likeable contemporary sound (ex. "Motor Mouth" has some hip-hop beats and verses). The very first track, "What A Drag" is anything but: after this great song gets in your head, you'll have a real hard time getting it out (not that you'll want to). Other instant ear-grabbers here include the terrific single, "Hello", "Over", the hard-rockin'"Waiting", the very pretty, piano-based ballad, "Posterchild for Tragedy", "Mail Order Girlfriend", and the ode to Queen, album-closer "After All". The CD is fairly short- 11 tracks- compared with most 14-15 track bloated albums you usually get nowadays, but this is another strong point of "Bully"- the band does their magic and doesn't pad the CD with filler. In other words, the 11 tracks are so good, the CD seems to end too quickly and you're left wanting more, which is the mark of a great album. The only drawback here is the sound quality is a little less clean than I would have preferred. Musically, though, it's quite obvious from listening to this album, these guys had a lot of fun making "Bully". Get hooked up with Sugarbomb and you'll have fun listening!

Sadly, Sugarbomb has decided to call it quits. I'm very upset about this - but at least there's BULLY to document one of the most underrated pop-oriented rock bands so far this century.

I too, as another reviewer said, found it in the throwaway CD bin at my radio station. It's a damn shame radio didn't get behind these guys.

From day one, first listen, Sugarbomb became one of my favorite bands. Period. This disc is a joy to crank up and listen to, beginning to end. Every fan of rock/pop should own this CD... this very well may become my favorite pop-rock album released in the 00's. Seriously.

... - Ben Folds meets Queen meets The Beatles meets The Cars, and maybe a touch of King's X - but that all depends on the song! And yes, they were probably far too talented to become as big as they deserved to be, as is usually the case. I mean, after all, these guys can play, write, sing, and harmonize like no one else has in years in this 'genre,' if you can fit them into one.

I rarely add songs to my "I Wish I'd Written It" list, but there's several on this CD that fall into that category - namely, "Posterchild For Tragedy", "Hello", "Bully", "Mail Order Girlfriend", and "Over" do. In fact, I'll go so far as to say this: If I were going to form a new band tomorrow, THIS is what I'd want it to sound like. Buy this CD - it's worth every single penny....

This album is by far the best pop album to come out in a long, long time. Sugarbomb has five very gifted musicians who write their own songs and all of them sing amazingly well. If you like Queen, The Beatles, ELO, and Ben Folds Five, you will LOVE this album. Buy it and you won't be disappointed.

IF you could see the cover of this album, you would probably say what the H*!! and pass it by -- which would be a BIG mistake.

Hiding behind wierd cover art is one of the finest tongue in cheek albums to come out in a long time. Sounding, at times, like a lot of other bands -- Squeeze or Crowded House on Motor Mouth, the Judybats on other tracks -- Sugarbomb has crafted a pop gem with humorous lyrics, strong muscianship and a listenable sound.

Never going too far with the humor, Bully's songs will frequently bring a smile to your face. And if you listen closer you will find some extremely talented musicians and a CD with excellent sound quality.

I've never heard of Sugarbomb before, but I am already looking forward to their next recording -- they are a fun, serious band that don't take themselves too seriously.

How many groups and records can you say that about these days?

Just buy it.

Although the title of my review is really corny, it is extremely appropriate! Sugarbomb is one of THE GREATEST bands I've ever heard! Sugarbomb is a group of phenomenally talented guys who know how to write music with perfect harmonies, witty lyrics, awesome guitar parts, and catchy choruses! It is not possible to listen to this CD without smiling... the songs just make you feel happy! The irresistibly infectious chorus of the title track goes, "Could you pick on someone your own size / Get it out of your head that I'm just what you want / Could you give it a rest let me catch my breath / Go pick on somebody else." It's awesome!!!! So I'm sitting here listening to "Bully" trying to pick out my favorite song, and to tell you the truth- there isn't one! I love every song on this CD! It's not one of those CDs that you hate listening to because you dislike half of the songs. Every single song on Sugarbomb's CD is different and amazing! Moral of the story: If you're a big fan of music like Eve 6, SR-71, etc., (like myself) you will LOVE Sugarbomb's "Bully"! This is honestly one of the best CDs I own and I suggest that everyone goes out and buys a copy! You won't regret it, I promise!

Anyone from the ages of 12 to 55 that enjoys a great pop/rock song HAS TO OWN this c.d.!! NO kidding,folks! This is the real deal-the kind of songs that stay in your head forever!And let me tell you-this ENTIRE disc is tremendous! These guys are a modern day BEATLES,fer cryin' out loud!!(I'm 46 & have heard a bit of music in my lifetime)Order this NOW-you won't regret it! It's SURE to become one of your all-time fav's just as it is mine-and that's a pretty TALL order! ENJOY!!