THE SUGAR STEMS
Sweet Sounds of…
Dusty Medical 2010
Wisconsin’s The Sugar Stems are no strangers to pop bands, so it’s only fitting that Betsy and Steph (THE FLIPS), Drew (LEG HOUNDS, JETTY BOYS) and Jon (TEENAGE REJECTS, CATHOLIC BOYS, YESTERDAY’S KIDS, TUFF BANANAS, STICKS N STONES) released their debut on Kevin Meyer’s Dusty Medical label outta Milwaukee. If anyone knows what’s what in MKE, it’s this guy! Also released in Europe with Bachelor Recs and on CD with Japan’s Dream On Records, this LP is as smooth and sweet as a creamy caramel. Pristinely clean pop with some melodies that feel like a continuation of the songs Betsy did with The Flips, this time against girl meets boy harmonies between her and Drew. No one song stood out overall, except maybe the insanely catchy “Beat Beat Beat” and the cover of The Falcons’ “You’re So Fine”. Sugar Stems play really well and seem to be having fun. Interview with the band can be found in the new issue of German fanzine CRKO #1. (Janelle Hollyrock)
