Sugarland Shines an Inspiring Light with ‘The Incredible Machine’

Douglas Boultinghouse
Editor-in-Chief

Courtesy of SugarlandMusic.com

Inspiring Duo - Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush comprise the country music duo Sugarland. The pair released its fourth album, "The Incredible Machine" Tuesday, Oct. 19.

   Country music duo Sugarland experiments with a new sound on its newest release "The Incredible Machine."

   While various blogs on the Internet speculated Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush abandoned the country sound they were known for, the speculation couldn't be more wrong. Though the songs on the album do incorporate new elements, the country remains present. It's just blended with urban, reggae and rock influences.

   However, the sound or genre of the album is not important. The message of love and hope throughout the album ring true, outshining the sound experimentation.

   The album's energy-packed opening, "All We Are," starts off with a suspenseful sound as Nettles begins wailing the words, “Fire like lightning / Burning up the night / A smoke horizon / Won’t give up the fight.”

   Then it stops.

   Guitar riffs begin over a heavy drum beat as she repeats the words faster making her way to the repetitious chorus of the title, “All we are.” After each line, chanting of “WE ARE!” occurs.

   The song, clearly influenced by bands like the Kings of Leon, sets the inspiring mood for the album.

   Similar tracks on the album include “Find the Beat Again,” “Wide Open” and the album’s title track, “Incredible Machine.”

   One word describes the song … mesmerizing.

   With the chorus of “A heart that beats / An incredible machine / Made of blood and love / And hope and lust and steam,” Nettles intrigues you with a hook of “Calling … Calling … Calling.”

   Bush gives his own version of the song as well. He recants the chorus in a chilling interlude of the song later on the album.

Sticky Little Twists

   The duo dabbles with a little reggae on the first single “Stuck Like Glue” and the track “Every Girl Like Me.”

   On the most country-influenced song on the album, “Stuck Like Glue,” Nettles drops a reggae-tinged rap halfway through.

   “Wha-oh, wha-oh, you almost fell / Two stuck together from the A-T-L / Wha-oh, wha-oh, feelin’ kinda sick? / Just a spoon full of sugar make it better real quick,” she raps.

   As said in the song, “Melodies’ll get stuck up in your head / Wha-oh, wha-oh, up in your head,” Nettles couldn’t be more right. It’ll be up in your head for weeks … “Stuck Like Glue.”

   The sharp-tongued Nettles’ twists more lyrics on “Every Girl Like Me.”

   “Take another look at the hide and seek /And the wrapper you found and the flavor beneath / Of the Tootsie Pop drop, don’t stop / Cause I’ll be your favorite,” she sings in an almost free-style way.

   Nettles shows a different side of her voice while singing the song “Tonight.” Using a much deeper tone, she opens the song in a haunting way that at the same time remains incredibly enchanting.

   “If words could make it real / I’d tell you how I feel / Instead I’m waiting here on my knees, love / I know how it feels to breathe / With you beside me I think about it always,” she sings holding the notes of “always” so long she literally takes your breath.

Stand Up and Shine the Light

   There’s no denying the songwriting talents of Bush and Nettles. They showcase those talents on three inspirational songs: “Little Miss, “Stand Up” and “Shine the Light.”

   While the lines throughout “Little Miss” point towards a young woman, the message behind the song applies to men as well. Nettles addresses this issue in a blog on the band’s website.

   “'Little Miss' isn't just for the ladies. While 'Little Miss' was written in the voice of a woman, the disappointments of being underappreciated and the pressure to be perfect are struggles that are often felt by men as well. The character, as a man, would clearly be defined, shaped, described and voiced differently. However, the emotion we each feel within these struggles is the same. Whether male or female, our tears all taste of salt, my dear ones,” she wrote.

   In short, Nettles gives an important message to any listener with the words, “Hold on, you are loved.” 

   She explains the premise of “Stand Up” with the first four lines.

   “All the lonely people crying / It could change if we just get started / Lift the darkness, light a fire / For the silent and the broken-hearted,” she sings.

   The two join forces for the chorus encouraging everyone to stand up and use his or her voice, and to  “Let the sound of love surround you.”

   Nettles takes a solo, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking approach to the close the album with “Shine the Light.”

   She wrote the haunting ballad and performs it alone with the piano. In the song, she shines a message of hope.

   “And you look into the mirror and see someone you don’t know / When the shadows are closing in on you like a hand around your throat / I will shine the light,” she sings.

   She ends the song on a personal level by adding, “When you’ve given into your fear / When you’ve lost your will to fight / Let me know what I can do / Let me try to make it right / And I will shine the light.”

   This album defines the purpose of music. It shows sounds and genres are used to pigeonhole artists and albums, when they should not. Music should leave listener with a message when the song ends. While “Stuck Like Glue,” provides the simple element of fun to “The Incredible Machine,” the rest of the album provides the much-needed elements of love, hope and inspiration.  

   Remember the words of Nettles, “Sometimes we jump into the great unknown, some roads we all will have to walk alone, but waiting there in the end is a heart that calls you friend.”

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