Sugarland announces first holiday disc

BIGGER, Louder, Live

It almost goes without saying that in today's fickle music world you have to constantly be atop your game, generating new content lest your listeners move on to the next selection in their Spotify shuffle. Thus, artists can't be content with dropping a new album every year or two and resting on their past accomplishments; now they've got to churn out EP's, live recordings and more to keep their audience satiated and satisfied. Realizing this truth, country duo Sugarland fights ...

Bigger

Sugarland is back with "Bigger," its first studio album in nearly a decade. And its arrival says more about branding, than anything else. Although his voice is heard often enough on this album to make his presence felt, it's still difficult to get away from seeing Kristian Bush in the Oates to Hall or Ridgeley to Michael role in this duo. Jennifer Nettles is the act's primary focus. However, Nettles plays theaters on tour, while Sugarland fills stadiums, making it a commercial no-brainer. ...

The Incredible Machine

"The Incredible Machine" is a rather unfortunate title for Sugarland's latest full-length. Listening to Find The Beat Again, for example, makes it sound as though vocalist Jennifer Nettles wants to be Deborah Harry-fronting-Katrina & the Waves rather than, say, a latter-day Loretta Lynn. With its handclap rhythm and shouted "Hey, Hey" on the chorus, this track - along with many others - finds Sugarland firmly entrenched in a predictable pop music device. ...