Album Review: Sugar - Copper Blue (2012 Reissue)

The '90s saw a lot of changes in the world of music and you don't have to dig too deep to find some great moments. In 1992, Copper Blue was one of the best albums to be released, ending the year as a critic's favourite. This re-release not only acts as a reminder of an influential and inspirational album, it also contains extra tracks and video footage that provide a wonderful back story to the album. From the powerful chords of The Act We Act or the massive melody of Hoover Dam, Sugar provides a massive sound on every track with layers of guitars and strings. Bob Mould's vision was the perfect antidote to his independent years in Husker Du.

The one good thing to come out of the whole changing of ways that people get their music these days is that when an act puts out a posthumous release, it's usually very good. Importantly the songs sound great remastered. My favourite, If I Can't Change Your Mind, still motors along with a memorable melody. Helpless is also still a moving piece of work even when stripped down. There are layers of guitars and melodies here that even Nirvana would be jealous of.

To understand the strength and power of this record, it helps to have an idea of the history of the alternative music scene of the time. Mould's success on this album comes down to timing and those he brought onto the project. If you want to understand more about the era that brought you the Pixies and Nirvana, it helps to hear this album – one that is strangely epic and exhilarating even with its at times depressing lyrics.