Editorial Reviews
Music Review:
Music Review
Beethoven: Bagatelles - Complete
Bar Lounge Classics, Vol. 2 [Import]
Best Gay Pride & CSD Anthems [Import]
Belly Dance: Music for an Oriental Dance
A Very Special Tribute to Yellowcard
Amazon.com
While Sugar Ray have reunited with longtime producer David Kahne, after their brief romance with Don Gilmore on 2001's self-titled album, they haven't returned to their party-on roots. Kahne has added some sophisticated flourishes to their sound, which seems to weigh them down. The cinematic string intro on "Chasing You Around," is a little top heavy. The strings on "Can't Start," a simple breezy gem about lost love, are equally incongruent. While the dense soundscape Kahne creates for the "Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)" makes sense, adding a hip-hop back beat, jazzy piano, and background chatter gives the tune the same anthemic quality as Pink's "Get This Party Started." Mark McGrath singing seems a little too tame for the crazy mix. McGrath does a not- perfect rendition of Joe Jackson's "Is She Really Going Out with Him," and doesn't change a thing, which is unusual for the singer, who usually doesn't like to play it that safe. These bawdy Peter Pans of rock are more appealing when they summon their innate raunchy power, instead of coming off like a 2003 version of the Beach Boys with the sand washed off. --Jaan Uhelszki
Album Description
One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of Summer 2003! The album sees the band blending a wide variety of sounds - including summery island rhythms, funky hip hop grooves, and infectious 80s-inspired melodies - into their own uniquely characteristic pop/rock cocktail. Featuring the first single 'Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)'. The CD is also enhanced with the bonus video for 'Mr. Bartender (It's So Easy)'. Atlantic.