Sugar (Bonus Track Version)

Dead Confederate display a knowing grasp of rock history throughout their second album Sugar. The Georgia band isn’t afraid to embrace its Southern rock roots with a country lope (“Run from the Gun”) while also testing those amps for maximum power (“Quiet Kid”) and paying tribute to Nirvana and their downcast melodies. “Father Figure” sounds more like a Nirvana tune than anything ever recorded by other grunge bands of the day. Guitarist Hardy Morris is a strong-willed singer who can slash his way past the extra techno gizmos and heavy-metal boogie riffs of “Mob Scene.” “Semi Thought” again pumps up John Watkins’ keyboards to the point that the band heads back to the ‘80s, where apparently they pick up Dinosaur Jr.’s J. Mascis for “Giving It All Away,” a tune that sounds less like Dino Jr. than the group’s other tunes, but that adds an extra psychedelic flourish. For Mascis’ influence, try the wasted, tortured vocals of the title track. Bonus version includes two cuts every bit as powerful as the official album.