Disco de Sugar Ray: “Sugar Ray”

To call these guys "frat boy rockers" and their latest album "dumb fun" would be too harsh. Both are more than that. Their music is more like a guilty pleasure to most of us. We don't want to admit it, but if you put us under the interogation lamp long enough, we'll admit to singing along to them in the car when their latest hit comes on the radio.

Sugar Ray's fourth, self-titled studio release is fun. In a society where all of our television, music, and movies are tending to become more and more meaningless, it's nice to see some guys putting out an album that it sounds like them enjoyed making. Too much of our "popular" music is either far too angry or far too dark right now, so that's why this album is so appealing. "Sugar Ray" is fun, catchy, and speaks of many things that we can all relate to.

"Answer The Phone" sounds heavily influenced by Third Eye Blind, second track is radio-friendly "When It's Over," "Under The Sun" has some very cool guitar work, "Just A Little" was stuck in my head all day yesterday, and album closer "Disasterpiece" almost gets into the area of a Rolling Stones song.

Heck, I'll admit that I listen to this album and enjoy it. And you didn't even have to put me under the interogation lamp to get it.

I personally have loved sugar ray from the beginning. This album self titled "Sugar ray" is full of radio singles i believe. Although Mark Mcgrath and co. have grown to be a more "pop" culture band, they've proved they are here to stay by this album. 1. Answer the phone- Great lyrics, catchy hook. one of personal favs. 2. When it's over- Although with alot of radio play, the hook is great and its in your head all day. 3. Under the sun- Very fun song, almost reminds you of past summers and friends. 4. Satellites- Not one of my personal favs, but still a good song. 5. Waiting- This is a great song. It starts off acoustic then into the harder guitar riffs. Good lyrics too. 6. Ours- This song sort of sounds like a re-make of a older song, but it's really not. not bad though. 7. Sorry now- One of my persanal Favs. Nice guitar riffs, Marks vocals are great in this one. catchy hook too. 8. Stay on- More of a laid back track. again a great song. 9. Words to me- This sounds like its almost hip-hop influenced sorta. Makes you want to dance! 10. Just a little- Has this country twang to it. not one of my personal favs though. Not a bad listen. 11. Diasterpiece- This song is great! This is the kind of song you can go cruisin to on a hot summer day.

All in all, Sugar rays self-titled album is great for the "pop" culture, i think if youre looking for more harder stuff, stick to there album "Floored", but personally i enjoy this album, hopefully you will too!!

This new Sugar Ray self titled album is their best effort to date. I once read an interview with Mark McGrath in which he said he didn't know if he and his band had the talent to keep on writing good songs. Well, obviously they do. Every song on this record is great. From the opening chords of "Answer To The Phone" to the last distortion guitar on "Disasterpiece", this album satisfies the listener. In a world with only the extremes on the current music radar (Bubble Gum Pop or Hip hop), Sugar Ray has released an album full of enjoyable songs. "Under The Sun" would remind anyone of their childhood, "When It's Over" may be their catchiest single to date, "Waiting" is a truly lyrically touching song from guys who usually write about light fun stuff, "Satellites" has a great refrain, and "Words To Me" is the most fun song I've heard in a long time. There is something for every music fan on this album, so go out and buy it. You won't be dissapointed.

What can you say bad about Sugar Ray? I mean, they have it all. Cool beats, a good vocalist, and deep meanings in all of their songs. This album combines awesome guitar riffs, hip island beats, and a little touch of classic rock n' roll on "Disasterpiece". Any band that can combine all of these elements of music has to have outstanding talent. who else out their can mix reggae and rock together and make it sound good? I am betting a lot of fans out their didn't expect Sugar Ray to pull of another hit album like "14:59" and "Floored". Boy, did they ever prove them wrong! I bet anyone out there all the money in the world that "When it's Over" will be one of the big summer hits of 2001.

On a final note, Sugar Ray is not dead by far...and the same goes to ROCK in general. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY THIS ALBUM!

What do you do after three hits, that to put it mildly were huge? Well, you do what the boys of Sugar Ray did. Stay The Same. The Singles of the Album, "When It's Over", "Ours" are produced by Sugar Ray Production veteran "David Kahne although the album is produced by Don Gilmore. They haven't grown into a "different" level but, they have certainly gotten better. The epynomous 4th album fines them returning back to their "Floored" roots while still keeping that "every morning, somedays" sound throughout most of the songs. They even dab into country on this album. This is definately a great cd, so I encourage you to buy it to add to your collection.