Sugar Ray
14:59

By Dwayne Carter
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CD Stock Number: Wea/Atlantic B00000GC1V

 

  There is this wine called, "Conundrum". A small vineyard, named Caymus Vineyards (which is in the Napa Valley region of California) makes it. This white wine taste exactly like its name. It tastes like a conundrum (which means "anything that puzzles"). It is a delightfully confusing blend of five different grapes, blended into a delicious wine. It is about $20 a bottle and I highly recommend it for special occasions... or everyday drink (if you're rich). Caymus Conundrum reminds me a lot of Sugar Ray's new CD 14:59.

After attending the Fusion Tour concert which featured Fastball, Sugar Ray, and the Goo Goo Dolls, I was impressed with Sugar Rays performance enough to purchase the CD for review and enjoyment. As I usually do with a new CD, I plop it into the car changer and give it a complete run through on the highway. This gives me a casual first impression and general feel of a CD. Sugar Ray's first spin left me a little confused. In the course of this one CD I was subjected to Reggae, Rap, Pop, and Thrash Metal? What a delightfully confusing blend! 14:59 is very much like the weather in Wisconsin… give it a minute, it'll change.

The two hits off this CD, "Someday" and "Every Morning", certainly do not prepare one for the remainder of this CD's hidden jewels. "Someday", which during the concert Sugar Ray dedicated to "the friends we've lost along the way", is a mid-tempo perfect-for-slow- summer grinding (on the dance floor folks) tune about meeting on the "other side". 

"Every Morning" thumps along nicely with a catchy hook and easy to sing-along lyrics. This instant MTV favorite is perfect for any summer outing or late night party. As with most of the songs on this CD, "Every Morning" is layered with a Reggae back-beat, scratch Rap and of course (the favorite line), "Shut the door baby. Don't say a word." 

Another crowd screamer is sure to be, "Falls Apart". The sound is surprising stark (in comparison to the rest of the CD) as Sugar Ray sings:

"She falls apart
By herself
No one's there to talk or understand
Feels the sting
Dries her eyes
Finds herself
Opens the door inside
Falls Apart
Might as well"

These lyrics are sung over raw guitar, and minimal drums. Stark but nice combo. A few other songs of note would be "Personal Space Invader" which is a straight 80's Pop tune (diggin' it!) and "Live And Direct" (featuring KRS-One) which is an enjoyable mainstream suburban Rap tune.

"Aim For Me" gives you a taste of Western Punk (do your research, it's out there) while "Burning Dog" reminds me of the 80's group Oingo Boingo. Do yourself a favor and go to Amazon.com and tag an Oingo Boingo CD. You will thank me later! We even get a taste of the 60's with a the brief, "Even Though." I get the urge to sing the "That Thing You Do" song. Sugar Ray throws in a remake "Abracadabra" and ends the CD with a twisted instrumental of Circus music played by that twisted clown you always keep away from your child.

After seeing Sugar Ray perform live (did I tell you about the live bar and margarita's on stage?) this CD did not disappoint. This CD is as fun a lively as the live performance. While there is still some summer left, go grab a few beers, a babe and the Sugar Ray CD 14:59. While you are at it, pick up his first CD Floored (Wea/Atlantic/Lava; ASIN: B000005J7O ). Get 'em both! You are sure to have a good time. 

Enjoyment: 83

Sound Quality: 86