Recording artist: Dead Confederate
Title: Sugar (2010) The Artists Organization (TAO)
Notable Tracks: “Giving It All Away”, “Mob Scene”, “Run From The Gun”
Best Places To Listen:At work, on a train, on a treadmill, on long, lonely drives with two working speakers

In just a few days, alternative rock group Dead Confederate is going to release their sophomore album, Sugar. No doubt an exciting event for the band, but also for their recording engineer John Agnello (The Hold Steady, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.), whose birthday happens to fall on that same day. Maybe he put a little extra love and special care in the process? The task of finding out has fallen on me, a fortunate young blogger indeed.

As soon as the first track began playing, I realized I’d already made a grievous error. This was not ten minute stop and go driving music. It wasn’t the sort of record you could listen to with a passenger in the car (unless the passenger is mute), nor was it suitable music during rush hour traffic – car horns, engines, motorcycles, etc. But most of all, it wasn’t something I could appreciate with just one functioning car speaker.

In all honesty, the signs were there and I just glossed over them. NPR dubbed Wrecking Ball “cinematic and atmospheric, loud and beautiful.” SPIN called it “album-defining.” When I considered those endorsements, I figured it was time to turn some things off and really focus on what these Georgia-based rockers were offering.

So I streamed the album at work every day this past week.

What can Dead Confederate fans expect to hear? Energy that’s similar to what we heard on Wrecking Ball, but more concentrated and layered. Dare I say more mature? Yes, definitely. The most critical word on the street following their debut was that they still needed to discover their own sound (YOU try finding a review that doesn’t mention Kurt Cobain). After a few listens to Sugar, I can safely say that they are getting very, very close.

Sugar introduces some tunes that don’t line up at all with the Nirvana reference. Like “Mob Scene,” an unexpected jam that features steady, heavy-handed drums and some wicked guitar riffs. The whole thing only lasts about two minutes, but it grabs and holds fast for the entire one hundred twenty five seconds. And track two, “Run From The Gun,” is the complete opposite of that, but no less effective or attention-grabbing. Its minimalist quality makes it an obvious standout from the rest of the album.

So they’ve made a solid effort, but I can’t help stating a few comparisons myself. To start, Dallas’ own Tripping Daisy often came to mind while listening to Hardy’s vocals. His voice is tightly wound and wounded – a perfect complement to the minor undertones throughout the album. I also found myself comparing them to Smashing Pumpkins an awful lot and even a little bit of Radiohead in their fifth track, “By Design.”

Frankly, I’m relieved they’re still brooding. We all have a little angst inside us, teenaged or otherwise, and this group has a way of letting you wallow in it without spiraling out of control. You can get your fix with “Shocked to Realize” or the title song, “Sugar,” and then develop some coping skills and move on. It’s really that easy.

All comparisons aside, there is no denying that Dead Confederate is about to deliver another atmospheric, cinematic, loud and beautiful record. If you don’t believe me, check out the official music video for “Giving It All Away.” Then mark your calendars for not one, but two days: August 24th for the album release and August 29th for the show at The Loft Dallas.