The Incredible Machine

It's arrived! 

The new Sugarland CD came out last week and I had some mixed feelings about it. After listening to it for a week, however, I've come to love it. Let me explain a little more...

I got the CD in the mail and immediately listened to it. Maybe it was the radio I was using, but it didn't sound too great. The speakers were so off and Jennifer Nettles' voice was a whisper compared to the band and the background singers. This was disappointing, especially because I thought I had to have gotten a messed up CD or something. Let's just say, I wasn't happy. I decided to try it again in my laptop and the difference was incredible. It definitely was the radio I was using before, because this time her voice was completely normal and I could actually understand the lyrics. However, I still wasn't all that impressed with their new album, which was extremely disappointing for me. After all,  I had been looking forward to this for months! I chalked it up to the fact that I was listening to it late at night when all I really wanted to do was go to bed. I'd try again the next day.

Listening to it in my car on the way to school the next day made the difference. Now, this was the third time listening to the album, but it was the first time I really got to pay attention to what I was listening to. The thing with Sugarland is this... They are one of my favorite artists -- probably number 2 on my list. Actually, maybe they're tied with Rascal Flatts if you'd believe that. However, most of their songs have never really jumped out at me from the moment I heard them. You know how some songs just catch your attention and become your favorites? Well, Sugarland is the opposite for me. I didn't really start out loving their songs as much as I do now. I learned to love them and appreciate them more with each time I listened. Every time I listen to a Sugarland song I get more out of it than the last time. It's kind of like dating someone you've been friends with for years, ya know? You don't immediately realize the potential of the relationship until it grows into something more after time. Maybe this is an odd way at looking at music, but it's true nonetheless. Don't get me wrong, I've always liked Sugarland's music, I just never really knew how much until I started listening more. The same went for this CD.

The first thing I noticed was that the style of the songs didn't really sound like the Sugarland I know and love. They weren't bad...just different. I must say, it took some getting used to. The usual funny, upbeat songs I'd expect to hear from a Sugarland CD were not what I was listening to. I didn't give up hope though, because the songs were still good, just different. Once I got past the differences it was easier to enjoy the CD and I've probably listened to it over twenty times since last week. It has yet to get old for me.

After all of this, I'd confidently say that the CD is worth buying. My initial disappointment quickly faded and I now love the CD just as much as the others. Some of my top favorite songs on the CD (without saying ALL of them) are:

Every Girl Like Me -- This is by far my favorite song on the album. This is the Sugarland I know and love, with the funny and unique lyrics and catchy beat. I find this song stuck in my head all the time until I get the chance to listen to it again.
Stuck Like Glue -- Of course I have to mention this song. If you've read my blog then you know why and if not, I have a post dedicated to this song and its music video. Check it out if you'd like.
Incredible Machine -- The title of the album and an awesome song. I had heard this song before the album came out so I've loved it for a while.
Wide Open -- Another song I knew beforehand and definitely worth checking out.
Find the Beat Again -- I love that it's so upbeat and it just makes me smile.

These five songs are my favorite, but not necessarily the best. So check out the CD for yourself and find some favorites of your own :)

P.S. It's Keith Urban's 43rd Birthday!!