In the months leading up to the release of The Incredible Machine, country super-duo Sugarland (comprised of uber-songstress Jennifer Nettles and multi-instrumentalist Kristian Bush) caused something of an uproar when they declared that their fourth album would be a Steampunk-themed affair.
The duo was quick to clarify that comment, stating that it would be only the visual elements of the album and its accompanying tour—things like artwork, fashion and stage decor—that would embrace the science fiction sub-genre (which presents a modern world as it might have been envisioned by the Victorians).
It’s difficult to imagine how a Steampunktry album might have sounded, but The Incredible Machine likely would have been better off if the duo had carried the concept over into the album’s musical aesthetic. While The Incredible Machine showcases two immensely talented and ambitious artists, it begs for some unifying strand of artistic direction—even one as odd and quirky as Steampunktry.
Nettles’ voice soars as powerfully as ever on the album’s many anthemic tracks, and proves dexterous on the reggae-inspired bridges of “Every Girl Like Me” and “Stuck Like Glue.” Indeed, throughout the album she engages in impressive vocal gymnastics; she contorts her voice, she stretches and somersaults and finishes each routine with a knowing smile for the judges.
For the most part, Nettles’ has an eager sidekick and a capable creative catalyst in Bush, whose influence is significantly more palpable here than on previous efforts. The guitarist and co-composer encourages his partner’s jumping around, his rhythms ranging from the chunky U2-ish rock of opener “All We Are” to the peppy, almost bubblegum-y effervescence of “Find The Beat Again” to the swelling power-pop of “Tonight.”
It all comes together to form an epic sounding pop album full of grinding riffs, bouncy arrangements and plenty of glitz and glam. A small step forward? Hardly. The Incredible Machine is a complete overhaul of the duo’s sound, a total musical reinvention that disposes of any vestiges of country musicality or lyricism.
It’s bigger, crisper and more spirited than anything they’ve recorded to date. Unfortunately, it’s also the most anonymous and uncommunicative album they’ve recorded to date.
Nettles and Bush attempt to cover an enormous swath of stylistic ground, and they’re never really successful in bringing these numerous and sometimes widely divergent influences together into eleven congruent tracks. The result is an aimless and bodiless collection that’s replete with interesting productions choices, but which is neither focused nor especially progressive.
On top of that, the duo’s songs have devolved into streams of “hey heys,” voice-play and empty lyrics—all pushed along by Nettles’ almost constant vocal acrobatics. The best they can summon in terms of corporeal storytelling is the staid inpsiationalism of songs like “Shine The Light” and “Stand Up,” which are every bit at forgettable as their titles suggest. With the exception of lead single “Stuck Like Glue,” there’s nary a memorable hook or a compelling story among the bunch.
With The Incredible Machine, Sugarland has stretched its musical muscles further than any country act since 2006, when The Dixie Chicks reinvented their sound for the landmark album Taking The Long Way. Unlike the Chicks, however, Sugarland seems to have lost the mission.
You can’t have a great album without great songs, and The Incredible Machine simply doesn’t.
Our rating: 
At one point, this album was high on my new music wish list for this fall, but I eventually figured out that Sugarland was taking a new musical direction that I disliked. I think the acoustic-based pop-country of their previous album was a much better fit for Sugarland than this heavy power pop (which reminds me of some disastrous Rascal Flatts projects), though Jennifer’s vocals are still reliably stunning. I still love “Stuck Like Glue,” though.
Hey, anyone want to discuss the issue of whether or not Sugarland is a real duo? ;D
I had been warming up to them (due to some tracks on their Christmas album, their live album and some of their previous album) and even love “Stuck Like Glue”, but I can’t say that I like anything else about this album so far. This review is right on in defining why.
I actually warmed a little bit to this album as I continued listening to it, if only because the tracks are relatively interesting. The sad thing is, I think that this could have been a great album–the passion is there, the energy is there, but the material’s not.
Generally, with artists I like I just buy each new album, regardless of reviews, ’til they disappoint me. I have reached that point with Sugarland. I’m not into vocal histrionics. I hate it when singers jazz up the Star Spangled Banner before ball games. I just want good songs sung well. “Love on the Inside” was great. This album is not even close in quality.
Do I smell a Photocrap version of this album? I could totally see this album cover on Farce the Music retitled “The Incredible Epic Fail.”
Kevin over at Country Universe gave this album 1 1/2 stars, in what was quite a harsh review. I agreed with most of his sentiments at first listen, but after listening to the album a few times the musicality of it really grew on me. Still, it’s an interesting read: http://www.countryuniverse.net/2010/10/25/album-review-sugarland-the-incredible-machine/
Most of the remarks in this review had me expecting to see a lower rating than 3 1/2 stars.
I’d probably give this one star less for the very reason mentioned in the review: “there’s nary a memorable hook or a compelling story among the bunch.”
To have inferior material is one thing, where you can still be capable of turning out an above-average record as a whole if the way it is executed is outstanding and/or impressionable………..but to have inferior material that is largely hook-less is a whole other thing, and I just can’t see myself giving any higher than an average review to an album under that description.
That sentence applies to the lyrics, though. Music can be compelling in itself. I gave this 3.5 because it really does have some cool things happen musically–although those things aren’t really connected or directed.
Terrible album.
I see what you mean, and I agree the music is superior to the lyrics, which are wafer-thin and seemed designated for the sole purpose of fist-pumping and arm swaying.
I admit this has partially to do with the way the duo described the album in advance and boasting about how genre-busting and re-defining this era would be, thus it’s my high expectations affecting my judgment of the material somewhat—but I don’t even necessarily see this as musically inventive or fascinating. It sounds more like their stab at an 80′s rock album. They admitted themselves in a later interview that they were going for anthems that were like present-day responses to films of that era like “Sixteen Candles”.
Musically, it sounds more like the duo simply aping their influences more ostensibly than experimenting. A little U2 arena rock, a little Echo & the Bunnyman, a little Go-Gos, etc. So I see where you’re coming from, but I’m just not as impressed, and NOT because it’s music absent of traditional country instruments.
Okay, so this album won’t be subtitled “Sugarland’s Greatest Country Hits” but they still showcase their incredible talent. And as for Jennifer, I have two comments:
1. She has one of the greatest female country voices of all time. Her tone, pitch, etc. is as close to flawless as anyone I can think of. Reba is the reigning queen, but Jennifer is next in line. Just give her some time.
2. Carrie Underwood must be thanking god that Jennifer competes under the duo category because Carrie couldn’t win a three-legged race, let alone a singing contest, against Jennifer.
Just my humble opinion. Sugarland rocks and I hope they come back next time to what got them here.
i find it funny that your surprised at reba’s positive reviews yet you give sugarland’s TERRIBLE album, 3 1/2 stars, what is the world coming to.
I’m a huge Sugarland fan, and waited in anticipation for this album to come out, especially after “Stuck Like Glue”, which I think is a really good song. But when I got the album, I got angrier and angrier every song I heard! Other than SLG and “Little Miss”, the rest of the album is pretty darn awful, and I can’t believe it after I absolutely adored their first 3 releases. And country/not doesn’t matter to me. It’s that the songs themselves are horrid. “Incredible Machine” is probably the worst offender. I bought Taylor Swift’s cd the same day, and, while I vastly prefer Jennifer’s vocals, the TS album won me over for it’s lyrics. So here’s my suggestion. Lets let Taylor write some hook-y songs for Jenn. Not the teen stuff, but more like the song she wrote with Kelly Pickler.
Come on Jenn! You’re the most talented country singer out there (although Natalie Maines is up there too). I don’t care what genre you go into, just have better songs! I’d buy a rap album from you if I had to, as long as it was lyrically good.
And 3 1/2 stars is wayy too much. I would give it a 2, tops. And really I’d love to give it a 1, but my love of Sugarland’s other 3 albums is holding me back on that.