Start Static

Sugarcult | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Fearless Records
• ASIN: B00005NG5K
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (127 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,137 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This Santa Barbara band may look like The Jam, but they sound like surf punks with English degrees. Named after seven lesbians who lived across the hall from singer-guitarist Tim Pagnotta and dubbed themselves "sugarcult," this band fill the airwaves with their own brand of clever wretchedness, constantly veering between hardcore and pop punk, attempting to be all things to all listeners. And they come pretty close with their aerobic, bombastic drumming, nimble guitar work, and Pagnotta's sneering vocals. Luckily, they listened to enough Green Day and Elvis Costello to put a witty face on their spewing invective about dislocation, alienation, and tales of love gone bad that lands just this side of insincere. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description

"Start Static" is Sugarcult's quintessential debut, originally released in August 2001. It delivered three smash radio singles: "Bouncing Off The Walls", "Stuck In America", and "Pretty Girl (The Way)", three music videos, and sold 350,000 copies. "Pretty Girl" has had recent play on MTV's "Laguna Beach" show, skyrocketing online sales from 300 per week to over 8,000 per week. The band has toured several times with Green Day, Blink 182, and Jimmy Eat World. With the November 15th release of "Back To the Disaster - A Film About Sugarcult" DVD, now is the perfect time to replenish stock on this title. The band's third full-length is due out in the spring of 2006.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock-Slash-Punk-Slash-Pop - An amazing debut, August 15, 2004

By 

Dan Solera (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start Static (Audio CD)

The first song I heard by these guys was "Stuck in America", which prompted me into thinking that the punk scene was being toned down considerably. Then I heard "Bouncing off the Walls" and "How Does it Feel" and I thought that perhaps I was wrong. But it wasn't until I heard "Pretty Girl" that I realized the great coincidence.

See, the songs I had downloaded off the band's Ultimatum Records debut were the punk-ish songs. Of the 12 tracks, 5 were fast-paced and short. I happened to download 4 of those 5. The rest were songs that were completely reminiscent of Gin Blossoms. Seriously. But, despite the tone I might convey as I write this, this is not a bad thing. Hey, I like Gin Blossoms.

So yes, those four songs can be deceptive. I guess one could accuse the band of not having a particular identity, but if you're as open as I am regarding music then this shouldn't be a problem. The album's opener, "You're the One", an incredibly hyper romp through teen obsessions and spontaneous bursts of emotion, is everything but similar to the album's closer, "I Changed My Name", which can easily be compared to Collective Soul or Silverchair's older ballads. Then we have twin songs "Every Beautiful Day" and "Saying Goodbye", which are easily the catchiest pop rock songs I have heard recently. Sure, the guitars are distorted, but they easily evoke memories of the Refreshments and the Verve Pipe.

If you've seen Van Wilder then you're familiar with the song "Bouncing off the Walls". It's faster than the rest of the album, and at times can sound a little pretentious or obnoxious (like Midtown at times). The album does not resemble this song (with the exception of "You're the One" and "How Does it Feel"). If you want to see the difference at its greatest, download any of the aforementioned songs and pair it up with "Lost in You" (which could easily be the closest they get to being a Gin Blossoms cover band). Seriously, this last song just screams "Allison Road" or "Mrs. Rita".

I like the band. I really do. The songs that I've mentioned are great and will ring in your ears incessantly. My point is: don't be fooled into thinking that they're another punk band, because I wouldn't exactly call them that. Sure, some songs can be fast and punk-ish, but on the whole, they're another pop rock band with an occasional harder edge.

Recommendations: "Hate Every Beautiful Day", "Bouncing off the Walls", "Saying Goodbye", "Pretty Girl", "I Changed My Name"

Little Side Note: The hidden track on the album is astounding. If you want to download it, search for either "Bonus Track" or "Neil Rocks My World" (the actual song title). Quite possibly the most underrated song I've heard yet. Absolutely amazing.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good debut, June 17, 2002

By 

Rex Marksmanson "HEYO!" (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start Static (Audio CD)

Sugarcult is a pop-punk band that knows what they're doing. Their songs are structured and ear catching, and they posses a sound that's all their own. Yes, you can believe what you just read, a pop-punk band with a unique sound, not something they stole from another band (Hm, Sum41 perhaps?).

This album as a whole comes off very strong, with tracks that can go punch for punch with the best of them. Songs such as "You're the one" and "Stuck in America" really kick things off with a bang. Other great songs that follow are "Bouncing off the walls", "Daddy's little defect" and "Pretty Girl".

I couldn't find anything negative about "Start Static", which has solidified the band in the pop-punk scene. Hopefully Sugarcult can come out with something more jaw dropping on their next release. But, none of the less this is a great album to get the band on their feet.

Nothing really good or bad to point out musically, the guitar work is pretty basic which is of course what you would expect of a pop-punk band. The same comment would apply well to the rest of the band.

Overall, pop-punk fans and rock fans alike will both enjoy this release, pick it up.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pretty darn good, August 22, 2002

By 

Zach Hobbs (Ballston Spa, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Start Static (Audio CD)

mmhm. now i see that comparos to the ever endless line of post punk power pop not so good bands (blink, sum 41, new found glory) are very populer. i see them and i dont. yeah...they have that mentality. but they inject a couple gallons of talent into the deal. 70's originality, insightful lyrics, good instrumentation, rock radio sounds. very listenable, overall. there isn't a looser in this crowd...but as with most albums there are standouts. now...my favorite is pretty girl. the guitars, cracking vocals, powerful lyric work, and so forth mix to create an addictive song. i changed my name is also balladish but stands out for its oomph. stuck in america, bouncing off the walls, you're the one, lost in you are also super. if not A+, the rest of the songs are all really good, as well. so all that ... said, buy this cd. i dont think it would even disappoint the most staunch of power pop haters...as long as they have an open mind going into it. otherwise they dont deserve to know about this 40 minute package o goodness. buy it you won't regret it. i promise.