Sugar “Copper Blue” and “Beaster” 1992/1993, 2012 reissue, Merge Records. Copper Blue is one of my favorite records from the 90’s but until now I’ve only had it on CD (I’m actually not sure it even existed on vinyl in the 90’s). The debut release from Bob Mould’s post-Hüsker Dü band – he did a couple of solo releases prior to Sugar – is a thunderous alt-rock record that NME ranked as their album of the year. It went to #10 in the UK, #10 on the US “Heatseekers” chart and to #46 on the US Indie Albums chart. I love it from start to finish, one of those rare records that is highlight after highlight in dense wall-of-sound power pop melody. Sugar released four singles from Copper Blue: “Changes” (in the UK), “A Good Idea” (#65 UK), “Helpless” (#5 US Modern Rock Tracks) and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind” (#30 UK). I also adore “The Slim” and “Fortune Teller.” But hands-down the best of the best is “Hoover Dam.” It is perfect: soaring, melodic, a little jangly, a lot loud and simply gorgeous. We saw Sugar play live when they toured for their next LP File Under: Easy Listening, so probably in late ’94 or early ’95 and while I have zero recollection of what they played, I’m sure a few songs from Copper Blue were in the set list. I do remember standing next to stage speaker with no ear protection and probably losing a good chunk of my hearing from that show (my ears rang for at least 2 days after the show; minimal regrets).

Beaster is a 6-song EP, released in ’93, comprised of tracks recorded during the Copper Blue sessions. Less alt-pop, more noise-pop, Mould describes Beaster as “a lot wilder than Copper Blue…[its] evil twin” with twisted and heavy guitar and religious imagery. It charted at #3 in the UK and #130 in the US (though at #4 on that Heatseekers chart) and Sugar released two singles – “Tilted” and “JC Auto” – both tracks released on a limited 7″ in the UK which went to #48.  I don’t think I listened to Beaster much in the 90’s, though I do have it dubbed on an old cassette somewhere around here.