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Back in high school, there was perhaps no band (unless the Notorious B.I.G. was zaftig enough to count as a “band”) that meant more to me than Husker Du, and since they were long dead by then, Sugar got most of the runoff love. Which is not to say that Sugar’s super-loud (one of the most deafening gigs I ever plugged my ears at, and that includes a Swans show), power-noise-pop wasn’t deserving of the love regardless of the band’s pedigree, and so here’s “Gee Angel,” notable for it’s high alt-rock production values. (”We’re just gonna have the three of you mime in front of some swirly spin-art effects and kitschy clips from ’50s and ’60s cartoons, okay?”) Matos once tried to argue for this as the greatest rock single of the ’90s. I wouldn’t go that far. But yeah, it’s definitely up there.likes this song as much as the guy who wrote this post and long ago destroyed his own short- and long-term memory.
Sugar – “Gee Angel” [YouTube]
Oh, in the top 5, easily. Unlike most alt-rock from the 90’s, I can listen to (and enjoy!) Sugar without cringing or being embarrassed that for about 4 years there (1992-1996??), they were TOTES my fave band.
I’m not sure where they’d rank, but Sugar remains my favorite band that’s entire back-catalog can be found in any $3 used bin. I’ve listened to Copper Blue, Beaster and File Under: Easy Listening probably hundreds of times. Smart money, baby.
If I have any gripe that’s at all related to Bob Mould, it would be about his core fans’ relentless conservatism. When he switched from smart, earnest guitar rock to smart, earnest, slightly clunky computer rock, they basically forced him back. I guess Scott Walker never played to unimaginative “rockists” in the first place.
For the record, I never made that argument. (I’m boring and think that honor goes to “Teen Spirit.”) But it’s certainly one of my very favorite ’90s rock tracks.
Mould’s track record is just so incredible. Hüsker Dü, Sugar, Bob Mould (yup, he’s in that band too!)… Oh, and let’s not forget the wrestling scripts he wrote.
The guy’s amazing.
i swear we had that conversation once–obviously i’m remembering wrong–but also for the record: “my bad.”
Those Sugar albums contain some of the best pop songs of the 1990s, if not all time. In a perfect world, “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” and “Believe What You’re Saying” would have been #1.
As for his fans…reminds me of those Todd Rundgren fans who can’t accept that he released any music after 1974.
oh we probably did, and I probably said something like “it could be argued that . . . ” so it’s fine; I’m certainly not put out by it.
for all your influence over the years, sugar (in particular, copper blue) remains the most consistently pleasing musical gift you ever gave me. thanks for posting this. i know what i’ll be listening to — on repeat — for the rest of the evening.
It should a punishable by death crime that Suagr wasn’t one of the biggest bands of the 90’s.
Close to 15 years later, I could still listen to “A Good Idea” for hours on end.
the “deep cuts” always reminded me of gumball.
Beaster as the pinnacle, still.
Fifteeen years later, Copper Blue still holds up. Way back in the pre-download days,’99 I think, I was somewhat drunkenly critiquing a jukebox at a bar and noted that there was no Sugar. The owner/bartender said to give him a CD and he’d add it. For several years until the bar closed, Copper Blue stayed in the jukebox and someone played at least one track every time I was there (which was probably a little too often). I miss that bar but the CD has been ripped and still makes it into regular rotation.
Fifteeen years later, Copper Blue still holds up. Way back in the pre-download days,’99 I think, I was somewhat drunkenly critiquing a jukebox at a bar and noted that there was no Sugar. The owner/bartender said to give him a CD and he’d add it. For several years until the bar closed, Copper Blue stayed in the jukebox and someone played at least one track every time I was there (which was probably a little too often). I miss that bar but the CD has been ripped and still makes it into regular rotation.
I actually bought a Ryko 2 disc anniversary CD because they were brilliant enough to make the first 2 songs on CD1 the following:
1. Changes – David Bowie
2. Changes – Sugar
God this was an amazing band. Uncle Bob can do no wrong, I just missed the DVD show he played at Schuba’s on Tuesday (sold out). Has anyone seen it?
@xtianrut:
He also wrote the theme to “The Daily Show”…..
The tour marches on. Wednesday in Minneapolis was lots of fun; a special thanks to Mary Lucia for stopping by to host the QA. A great meal at Barbette before the show. Thursday, I stopped by Wilde Roast Cafe for some food and coffee, then headed to the new Humphrey Terminal at MSP.
Bob’s work with Sugar continues to remain fresh. I have had a Copper Blue cassette in my car deck for years. I got my DVD of Circle of Friends in the mail last week…makes me pissed I missed that tour, but it’s almost as good as being there. Thanks Bob!
copper blue gives me wood.
@Jupiter8:
I think the current version, however, is actually They Might Be Giants. But yes, it was originally Bob’s “Dog On Fire.”