Customer Reviews

Start Static

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Recently America has faced a constant barrage of pop-punk bands and artists. Some of them are extremely talented and are worth every minute of your time. Others aren't. Unfortunately with all that's out there the really talented bands often get forgotten in the shuffle. It looks like that's what might happen to Sugarcult, a new extremely talented band that does not get the credit it deserves. First off, unlike some other bands this day, the lead singer, Tim, has a decent voice and he knows how to use it. As a vocalist I often find myself cringing when I listen to rock CDs but I don't do that all too often while listening to it. The songs are bubbly, happy, and nearly perfect. Sure. It's not a perfect CD but very few are. Here's a break down of the tracks

1. You're the one- A fast paced rock tune that really kicks the album off. It's a kind of song you'll find yourself humming long after you've turned your CD player off. 5/5 stars.

2. Stuck in America- Another great fast paced song that I can very much relate to. 5/5 stars.

3. Hate Every beautiful Day- Although not as good as the first two this pop punk song is still worth listening to. 4/5 stars

4. Bouncing off the walls- A song that gives off the feeling that it was created by an impatient kid on an ADD trip. And for once that style works. One of the best songs of the CD 5/5 stars.

5. Saying good-bye- A decent song with great alliteration in the lyrics (yes. That's poetry I know but they do a good job with it here too). 4/5 stars

6. Daddy's little Defect- Another good solid fast song. It's something you can dance to. 5/5 stars

7. Lost in You- A good ballad but nothing special. 3/5 stars

8. Pretty Girl- Another good solid song. 4/5 stars.

9. Crashing Down- The next ballad on the CD that's just as good as Lost in you 4/5 stars.

10. How Does it Feel- Just a great fast song. Nothing serious in here, just a good song. 5/5 stars.

11. I Changed my name- Has some of the best lyrics on the CD here. A truly exceptional ballad that shows the bands softer side. 5/5 stars.

I'd recommend this CD to fans of pop/punk rock. I'll admit it, because of the way it lingers between pop and punk it's not for the people into only harder rock or people who are into pop music like Avril Lavigne. But if you're a fan of bands like Good Charlotte or Simple plan, or you're just looking for something new, I'd recommend this.

I love this cd. When I think of Punk I think of the Ramones, the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and of course Sugarcult. I've been listening to Sugarcult for quite a while now. My sister actually got me into this band when she used to live in California 3-4 years ago. The very first song i heard from them was "Say I'm Sorry." With lyrics like "If you wanna get down, wrap me up in plastic because i'm feeling pornographic now... I think i'm feeling sick again we're making up with sex again," who wouldn't laugh and enjoy them.

Start Static overall is a great cd. I love every song on it. My favourite on here would have to be "Hate Every Beautiful Day" because it's the perfect song to listen to on a bad day when nothing's going your way. Pump this up on your stereo and the bad day blues will slowly disappear. "Faces in the crowd, fake smiles for smiles... I wish it was raining because i hate every beautiful day." After the movie Van Wilder, who doesn't know "Bouncing Off the Walls?" This is a great song to listen to when you've had that right amount of sugar and caffeine together. Your heart rate goes up just listening to it because it gets you going. I love the way I feel just listening to it.

"Pretty Girl (the way)" is my next favourite song. When i first heard it i'd just gotten out of a relationship where i was cheated on and i listened to this song for 17 hours straight on repeat. It's one of those songs that you can't get tired of. I really love it. You feel a connection with it. HAHAHA, now to a song that we sing to my friend, "You're the One." Lol. This song has been dubbed hers by all of her friends. She drives all of us crazy but we love her. This song has a very good beat, it makes you wanna dance, and bang your head around. "How Does it feel" has this awesome guitar going in the beginning. I just wanna dance to it as well. "Well i'm back for some more, round two was a bore... and it's 1:45 and i'm feeling alive, i've got it all and it's your last call. There's somebody new and she's better than you. You've been replaced by a prettier face, so look who's crying now..."

OVERALL THIS CD IS GREAT. Even though Amazon doesn't carry "Wrap Me In Plastic" this is a great substitute for it. This cd gives you Sugarcult straight foreward.

Start Static is an excellent CD, full of songs most can relate to. I have to say that Start Static is more "punky" or alternative than Palm Trees And Power Lines (which really only has 2-3 good songs, and they're all singles).

The only bad thing about this album (and it's not Sugarcult -- or its label's -- fault. It's that half of the songs on this album are heard in the film Van Wilder ("Bouncing Off the Walls", "Stuck In America", "How Does It Feel" and the rest of Start Static is plastered all over Van Wilder's DVD menus).

14-17 year old males is really this album's demographic, but so is Van Wilder. Start Static would probably sound dull to anyone who bought this CD because of the film.

If you like, say, uh... Fall Out Boy or, oh, American Hi-Fi (also on the Van Wilder soundtrack), you'll like Sugarcult. Recommended.

While I like this album, and I like Sugarcult, it left me wanting something more. Maybe it's because there's only 11 tracks, or maybe it's the tracks themselves, it just seems like something's missing. Either way, here's the track-by-track analysis:

1. "You're The One"
At first listen, this song seems promising, delivering a catchy chorus and nice rythm. And then, it just... ends. 1:50 is a little short for a good song.

2. "Stuck In America"
If you've seen the movie 'National Lampoon's Van Wilder', then you know this song. It's not a bad song, but the hundredth time, it gets old. It should be renamed "Stuck In Your Head", because that's EXACTLY what happens. Good song, nonetheless.

3. "Hate Every Beautiful Day"
This is where the album gets going. A nice introductory riff leads into a song that almost sounds like Lit rather than Sugarcult... this track is a great listen and would make a good single.

4. "Bouncing Off The Walls"
The smash radio hit that got everyone addicted to Sugarcult in the first place, "Bouncing Off The Walls" has a happy-go-lucky feel to it that's impossible to resist. You'll listen to it over and over again, and that's a fact!

5. "Saying Goodbye"
A slower version of "Stuck In America", this track sneaks up on you and gets you nodding your head before you even realize it.

6. "Daddy's Little Defect"
My personal favorite of the album, "Daddy's Little Defect" is an anthem for horny guys (yet I repeat myself) everywhere. "Wasting all your time, going all the way..."

7. "Lost In You"
After the speed of "Daddy's Little Defect", listening to "Lost In You" is like getting off of a roller coaster and getting on a trolly. Not to knock the track itself, I just think the placement on the CD could have been a bit better.

8. "Pretty Girl (The Way)"
After hearing this song on the radio a couple dozen times, I became hooked. While vastly different from everything else on this CD, it has its own style - more deliberate, methodical, and emotional than the rest of the album. Excellent song.

9. "Crashing Down"
Reminiscent in lyrical content to "Daddy's Little Defect", this song is especailly nice to listen to for the broken-hearted, which includes about 75% of the teenage population in this country. Slow and sad, just as it should be.

10. "How Does It Feel"
Picking things up again, this song sounds almost exactly like "Stuck In America", just with different lyrics and slight differences in tempo and melody. There's the same feel to the chorus, which may just be the way Tim Pagnotta (Sugarcult's lead singer) sings.

11. "I Changed My Name"
Slower than everything else on this album "I Changed My Name" sounds like another artist, not Sugarcult. In my opinion, this song is the weak point of the CD - it's more boring than it is anything else.

After listening to the album, the thoughts that come to mind are "That's it?" There is definately room for more tracks here, and I would have been a lot more impressed with more material.

I had never heard of Sugarcult until I saw their CD on display at a music store. I listened to the whole CD while in the store an discovered that most of the songs were great. I bought Start Static a couple of days later and love it even more each time I listen to it. Sugarcult isn't a formulaic punk rock band. Their music has well written lyrics and a sound that has a little bit of a 70s tinge. From the upbeat and energetic "Stuck in America" to the ballad-like "Changed My Name" the CD is different as well as awesome.

in response to the first review up, 1-sugarcult sounds NOTHING like rancid and really bears no connection to blink besides opening for them on tour.......2-where's the ska? sorry but i really have to disagree with all the descriptions given 100%. not that sugarcult is a bad band, far from it.....but their re-recordings of songs are disappointing for those who listened to their earlier stuff and frankly, they have become less and less unique with time succombing to surrendering themselves to the radio-friendly format of the week. for first time listeners, you should give sugarcult a chance and if you've heard them before i'm sure you already have your own opinion. but don't rely on descriptions that include rancid, blink, and ska as key words to describe their sound, give it a listen before you buy and decide for yourself.

I looked everywhere for this CD. Over the course of 2 years I had finally found it at a Bust Buy. There was one left. I didn't really stop to think about buying it, so I just grabbed it. I put it in my CD Player and was amazed to here such good music by this band... this band i thought was just going to be another hunk of scum on the CD market. Actually, the suprise came to be that it wasn't at all. Sugarcult's Start Static has a cool kind of thing in their music.. i really dont know what there is.. but i find it similar to American Hi-Fi ( Comparing BOUNCING OFF THE WALLS to FLAVOR OF THE WEAK ) ... Anyways, majority of the songs on this CD are ' superb ' and worth buying for just the few that really stand out.