Smooth classic power pop in the Cheap Trick/Shoes guitar vein is how I’d best describe the Tempe, Arizona band Sugar High. After it’s debut 6 years ago, the group comes back with it’s follow up album “Let The Sunshine Out” and it’s most “commercial” sounding single “Scatter.” The chiming guitars and light pop chorus will earn the casual listeners respect. Guitarist Jason Garcia’s riffs have a Matthew Sweet feel to them and as the album continues, it gets better. “Going/Again” gets a little more aggressive and adds layers of guitars, hand claps, and tambourines, similar to power pop faves, The Caulfields. “My Star” is another notable song with a hummable melody and strong vocals. “Do Yourself A Favor” tells the story about actually writing songs (“I’m just makin’ sh*t up now”) and has a cracking energy missing on some of the later tracks. Even more evidence that this is the closest power pop to mainstream you can get listen to “Swallowed Bombs” which compares well with the Crayons. Another great track is the great repeating riff of “The King” and the slight twang and harmonica of the laid back mid-tempo “Around You.” Lead singer Adrian Evans vocal sounds a bit like Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms and John Davis of Superdrag and the extra details of bells and strings on some tracks make for a pleasant diversion. Soak in that Sugar High.
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