Palm Trees and Power Lines [ENHANCED]

Sugarcult

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 13, 2004)
• Original Release Date: April 13, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Artemis Records
• ASIN: B0001LYFJK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (140 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #65,426 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Another album of unapologetic pop punk songs from this Santa Barbara outfit who have smartly filled in the void that Green Day left when they decided to dabble into rock's early canon and eschew self-loathing for more mature introspection. Sugarcult has none of those pretensions; instead their rock anthems are rather unadulterated and athletic--even when they're trying to sonically extricate themselves from complicated and claustrophobic romantic entanglements. With lyrics more clever than smart, Sugarcult makes romantic fatalism oddly entertaining as they take listeners through a wistful post mortem of a love affair gone awry. --Jaan Uhelszki

Product Description
The energy and dedication Sugarcult brought to Start Static created a massive fan base for the rock quartet around the world, selling nearly half a million copies -- 300,000 units in the United States alone. On their new, Gavin MacKillop produced album, Palm Trees and Power Lines the plaintive edge that lurked below the surface of singer/guitarist Tim Pagnotta's songs is now front and center. The new material has an emotional intensity that matches the band's electrifying musical jolt. Sugarcult is quintessentially Californian, and the new album's 12 songs play out against the backdrop of California's beauty and ugliness, its romance and reality; documenting a physical and psychological journey that begins and ends at the edge of the Pacific.

On the undeniably catchy rocker "Memory," the band effortlessly dives into one of the themes that have made them such an important band to their fans - love hanging by a thread. The similarly wrenching songs, "Crying" and "Over", search for a glimmer of affirmation amid the debris of shattered romantic dreams.

"Back to California,"encapsulates the album's dramatic payload in a vivid narrative ("Drive all night to hold you tight / Back to California / We couldn't win in the end") that recalls the climax of an earlier California saga of highways and hope, The Graduate.

"These songs are fresh documents of our lives over the last two years," says Marko. "We're more confident as musicians, we're more confident in our ideas - because, when you set out to do something against all odds and it's working, that just strengthens your resolve. It gives you the confidence to take more chances, keep doing the things you've been doing without apologies and just go for it."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly liked by a 30-something 80's fan, December 13, 2004

By	P. Jones (Dayton OH, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just thought I'd throw in my two-cents worth. I am a 30-something music listener who usually listens to 80's pop and rock. While checking out some old music videos on Launch, the "Memory" video came on. Before I could turn it off, the music caught my interest.

These guys are really cool! I bought the album the next day, and listen to it nearly every day (especially when my kids are in the car). I've seen them called "punk" and "alternative" styled, which may in fact be the case. All I know is it sounds like GREAT ROCK & ROLL to me. This coming from a "alternative rock sucks" kinda guy.

Although some of the lyrics get deep and depressive at times, the music itself is very fresh and explores many moods.

If you are a fan of Rock & Roll, give this band a try. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Now what did I do with that Boston CD.........?

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not a bad song!!, July 2, 2004

By	"ryan_g_1428" (PA United States) - See all my reviews

ok, i got this album as just another CD to play every once and a while. well what did i know, its all i have been listening to for the past 2 weeks and more to come! what a great cd.

1. Shes the blade - 5/5 this is the 1st song i put on, and i loved it. its a very good song

2. Crying - 5/5 this song has very catchy lyrics nd beat.

3. Memory - 5/5 the first single that will live forever, what else to say GREAT song. i boought the album because of THIS song, and i am very happy

4. Worst december - 4/5 good song...not a fav but good ^^

5. Back to california - 5/5 awsome song. one of my favs, and will be one of yous

6. Destination anywhere - 4/5 nice song, nice chours. the beginning is a little different but the rest makes up for it

7. Champagne - 5/5 i dont really know y but i love this song! its just, a good song that u love to listen to.

8. what you say - 3/5 a good song, not a fav but its diff nd i still like it

9. over - 5/5 maybe my absolute favotrite, awsome chorus.

10. Head up - 4/5 nice toon, and lyrics. very song

11. Counting stars - 4/5 not one of my favs, but its a good song

12. Sign off - 4/5 ok song, pretty short, creative song..u might put it but good lyrics nd toon

the cd 5/5
its just one of thoes cds where u dont skip one song when listening to it.. BUY IT!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pop-punk at its finest, April 21, 2005

By	Remy Silverstone (Los Altos, CA USA) - See all my reviews

I'm not a very big pop-punk fan at all. The music I listen to is considered to be "emo" but what can I say? This cd pulled me in.

I'm not giving this album 5 stars because it just didn't exactly live up to "Start Static" but it came pretty darn close.

This review may not be considered "helpful" but I'd say that my three favorite songs on this album are "Champagne", "Worst December", and "Sign Off"(Beautiful slow song).