Sugarland's return reminds me so much of Lady Antebellum's. In both instances, we have bands who I always enjoyed during the 2000's. Yet, when the members of both bands went solo, I found myself enjoying each member as a solo artist way more than I ever did when they were in their original band. Alas, when Lady Antebellum returned last year, I was disappointed in the effort that ensued from them with Heartbreak, and in Sugarland's case, it looks like I'm going to be longing for those solo projects as well.
To be perfectly honest, coming back with a generic track vaguely addressing their comeback is probably the most predictable move the duo could have done. Honestly, listen after listen with this track doesn't leave me with a lot to say. Lyrically it's very repetitive, addressing how far each member has come on their solo "journeys" and how despite the changes, they're both still the same. Whether that means they're the same individual people or the same duo who released their last single in 2011 is up to you I guess. Really, it's a typical comeback single, and while lyrics have never been the strongest element of Sugarland, I just we could have gotten something not so cheesy.
I'm conflicted on the production. On one hand I'm not a fan of the electronic beat, but I like the atmospheric touches added to the chorus. In fact, the chorus is probably what makes this at least a decent listen if anything. Thankfully nothing gets in the way of Jennifer Nettles delivering a solid performance.
And of course you have your stupid typical Sugarland tactics that you expect from them including a computer generated voice counting down to one before the second chorus. You also have them going for those annoying "oohs" that were prevalent during "All I Want To Do" during the bridge.
Other than that, as background music this is sort of pleasant, but as a whole this comeback merely sizzles rather than explodes. The dynamic chorus is nice, but as a whole I don't have a whole lot to say about this song. I only hope that their comeback album has at least some traces of either one of their solo projects.
Grade: C+
Listen: "Still The Same"
Author: Zackary Kephart
To be perfectly honest, coming back with a generic track vaguely addressing their comeback is probably the most predictable move the duo could have done. Honestly, listen after listen with this track doesn't leave me with a lot to say. Lyrically it's very repetitive, addressing how far each member has come on their solo "journeys" and how despite the changes, they're both still the same. Whether that means they're the same individual people or the same duo who released their last single in 2011 is up to you I guess. Really, it's a typical comeback single, and while lyrics have never been the strongest element of Sugarland, I just we could have gotten something not so cheesy.
I'm conflicted on the production. On one hand I'm not a fan of the electronic beat, but I like the atmospheric touches added to the chorus. In fact, the chorus is probably what makes this at least a decent listen if anything. Thankfully nothing gets in the way of Jennifer Nettles delivering a solid performance.
And of course you have your stupid typical Sugarland tactics that you expect from them including a computer generated voice counting down to one before the second chorus. You also have them going for those annoying "oohs" that were prevalent during "All I Want To Do" during the bridge.
Other than that, as background music this is sort of pleasant, but as a whole this comeback merely sizzles rather than explodes. The dynamic chorus is nice, but as a whole I don't have a whole lot to say about this song. I only hope that their comeback album has at least some traces of either one of their solo projects.
Grade: C+
Listen: "Still The Same"
Author: Zackary Kephart
