The Incredible Machine

This album is more confirmation that some people just can't be pleased. There is a stubborn group of country fans that just can't accept anything that doesn't take them back to old-school classic country and expecting this collection to register any postive comments from that group is like expecting the war on terror to suddenly end with the other side passing out a bunch of "Coexist" bumper stickers and leading a chorus of Kumbaya.Honestly, Sugarland hasn't made it easy for the classic country lovers to accept them, at least not with this particular album. There are lots of musical influences on display here, as is easily confirmed by a listen to the reggae sounds that some people might say infects or infests the first big radio single release from this disc, Stuck Like Glue. If you listen to the "long version" of the song, rather than the radio edit you might ask yourself just what you are listening to as the beebop rolls along.There's more to this collection than just Stuck Like Glue though as this album is something of a throwback in a different way. As Ms. Nettles and Mr. Bush described in an interview on the "After Midnight" national radio show, there is a method to the madness here. This is meant to be a planned experience and planned journey, not just a collection of music that is all thrown together because it happened to be recorded all at the right time. While the music here was written and recorded in that manner, it was put together here in a designed order, with a desired flow, so it brings the listener along as the group intended. The idea of including an interlude in the middle of the track listing was part of that plan, as the band wanted the music to flow somewhat in the way that old school album listeners would have experienced when they had to flip the vinyl over to get to the songs on the back side of the album. That "whew!" feeling as you got through half of the disc and then proceed through listening to the second half in whatever direction it took you is just what they were shooting for.Each listener will of course have to decide if what Sugarland tried to do was effective for them, but for me it works. I really enjoy the tracks here, and also enjoy the ride that I'm taken on in getting to consume them. I was very, very happy to get my order of this disc and get to hear all of the tracks that are included, not just the few songs I had heard on the radio. Really, I had the great experience of seeing the band in concert just a few weeks before the release of this album was scheduled for, so I was able to enjoy several other of these songs during that performance and it had me waiting impatiently for the opportunity to hear all of those songs and the rest of the album as well.The one complaint I might register about the disc goes to the packaging of the "deluxe" version of the disc. The nice foil type cover is a fingerprint magnet that makes me wish the paper that was used was of a matte style finish rather than the slick and shiny type that was used here. But for that complaint, call me a very pleased customer.Now, if you haven't already purchased this disc and need more information to decide on such a purchase, make use of the sample clips that are available here to hear what you'd be getting. For me, it's a big thumbs up, though perhaps your ears would disagree.

Country music fans have been waiting two years for Sugarland's newest, and they will not be disappointed - unless, that is, they expect more of the same. This CD is nothing like the three albums they released in 2004, 2006, and 2008. It's far less twangy and far more rocking, as much Melissa Etheridge as Dixie Chicks.This may be good or bad news, depending on how you feel about the change. Incredible Machine has the biggest sound the band has ever produced: sweeping, stadium-filling anthems that show off Jennifer Nettles' commanding voice, especially the first two tracks, "All We Are" and the title song. The third track is the already-released single, "Stuck Like Glue," a radio-friendly hit that epitomizes country-pop, with a brief, strange detour into reggae-rap.The fourth track, "Tonight," is a heartfelt ballad that bears an uncanny resemblance to the aforementioned Etheridge. The fifth, on the other hand, contains the harmonies and themes we've come to expect from Sugarland. Called "Stand Up," it gives Kristian Bush his first solo vocal part on this CD and has the potential to be a huge hit on country radio.The album's second half kicks off with the very peppy "Every Girl Like Me," followed by another Nettles showcase, a fine country ballad called "Little Miss." The next track is unfortunately the least successful song on the CD, "Find the Beat Again," in which Nettles sounds for all the world like Deborah Harry of Blondie fame. Whatever this song is, it ain't country! The album concludes with a straight-ahead rocker produced for the Winter Olympics, "Wide Open," and a gospel ballad accompanied by solo piano called "Shine the Light." Both are powerful, but the former is irresistibly catchy while the latter is positively conventional.What to make of this outing? I enjoy rock and power ballads, and since we've heard plenty of traditional country songs from Nettles and Bush, I'm inclined to give them the freedom to experiment. But the CD is definitely a crossover, so country purists will call it a mixed bag at best and an utter betrayal at worst. If that happens, it will be a shame, a negation of the many enjoyable musical moments on the album. And who cares what they think? I liked it.

Compared with Sugarland's previous works, this album is less "pure" country (though Sugarland has never been one to be shoehorned into the classic "country" genre anyway) and more of a surprisingly good mix of rock and pop, but still with a healthy dollop of Nettles' beautiful southern twang and Sugarland's usual mix of gorgeous intrumentals and dynamic musical style. I can honestly say I like every track on this album (which I couldn't for Sugarland's other albums, though I like them, too). My absolute favorites here are:02. The Incredible Machine - Would have also worked excellently as an album opener, this has a hypnotic beat and really does evoke a steampunk kind of atmosphere. I love the opening drum beat that slides ride into a catchy two-tone piano rhythm, and I can't help but tap my foot to this fascinating song.03. Stuck Like Glue - The first (and hopefully not only) single from this album. It's adorable. The music video is equally adorable and hilarious (and I have to give it extra points for starring Captain Awesome from Chuck).04. Tonight - Angsty, intense, and Nettles' voice sounds absolutely unstoppable.05. Stand Up - I love, love, love this song. Starts off with a drum beat that's as strong and deep as a pulsing heartbeat, then adds some lush guitar, and finally Nettles' beautiful voice. Bush also contributes a sizeable chunk of vocals here, too, and the ensuing duet and back-and-forth between these two is absolutely gorgeous. The lyrics are so uplifting and the tiding and cresting of the arrangement makes for a stunningly moving track.11. Shine the Light - Nettles' melancholic, robust voice paired with a lone piano. On a bad day, I can listen to this song and feel it like a warm arm around my shoulders. A touching closer to an amazing album.

I bought this just to add to my growing collection of cd's, I love all their stuff so nothing to complain about from me as I am a new fan.

Good CD thanks

This was a steal,they can make anything sound great.

Soaring (although idiosynchratic) vocals and some great songs make this a great album for driving - although, like any album, there a couple of songs that are less than wonderful.

This was a gift that my husband wanted. He still listens to it.