For most Country artists crossing over to Pop usually means toning down the Country sound. Contrary to that notion Sugarland, featuring lead singer Jennifer Nettles and singer/guitarist/mandolinist Kristian Bush, has managed to stake a claim in the Pop world while maintaining a clear Country foundation.
The band’s third release Love on the Inside is unashamedly Country yet seamlessly incorporates elements of Rock, Pop and even Soul. Judging from the current response to Love on the Inside, the Country fusion is working for Sugarland. Love on the Inside sold 314,000 units to earn a #2 debut on the Billboard Top 200, right behind Miley Cyrus. The following week Sugarland sold an additional 171,000 units and, in an unusual move, traded places with Miley Cyrus to hit #1.
Who is Sugarland?
The high level of media attention for Sugarland may seem out of place but the band does have a solid resume. Originally a trio – Kristen Hall left in 2006 to be a fulltime songwriter – Sugarland has already earned two Double Platinum albums with its 2004 debut Twice the Speed of Life and its 2006 follow-up Enjoy the Ride. Those albums generated seven Top Ten Country hits including the watershed single “Baby Girl” which spent nearly a year on the charts.
Exposure increased elsewhere through hook-ups with two noted Pop acts. In 2005 the band performed with Bon Jovi on the CMT (Country Music Television) show “Crossroads.” That episode lead to a duet re-recording of Bon Jovi’s “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” that had Jennifer Nettles and Jon Bon Jovi singing together all over Adult Pop radio. Soon after that, Sugarland began performing its own bluegrass version of “Irreplaceable” in concert which culminated in a duet with Beyonce herself on the American Music Awards.
Sugarland Gets Some Love From the Outside
This activity, along with quality music, has created goodwill for Sugarland that extends far beyond its core Country audience and has made the arrival of Love on the Inside the big deal that it is. Overwhelming response to first single at Country radio “All I Want to Do” prompted a switch to an earlier release date for Love on the Inside. And, critics have been overwhelmingly positive toward Sugarland and Love on the Inside. Entertainment Weekly wrote a feature length article on the band and graded Love on the Inside with an A-.
Sugarland Earns The Love
The praise is deserved since Love on the Inside is a great album, not just a “great Country album.” Jennifer Nettles is an excellent vocalist who does possess the brash tones expected from her genre. Yet she has depth and dynamic control and switches effortlessly and effectively from quiet ballads to soaring arena anthems. Kristian Bush has expanded his own vocal presence on Love on the Inside while maintaining solid instrumental support, particularly from his mandolin.
They have also written a great batch of songs on Love on the Inside notably “Already Gone,” “It Happens,” “Love” and “Joey” an upbeat song with a tragic tale that was co-written with Country legend Bill Anderson. The initial release of Love on the Inside was a “Deluxe Fan Edition” with five additional tracks including a live version of the 1985 Dream Academy hit “Life In A Northern Town.” The regular edition released the next week.
Sugarland will headline a fall tour to support Love on the Inside that kicks off in September and features Kellie Pickler and Ashton Shepherd.
Sources For This ArticleBillboard.com; EW.com
