Sugar
Sugaris the cure-all for your rock & roll blahs. The follow-up to 1997's platinum-sellingLemon Paradeshows that the Los Angeles trio Tonic has taken a big step forward. Here they've forged a sound that's memorable and timeless, thanks to stellar songwriting matched by equally fine instrumentation and vocals. There's nary a bad song on this self-produced, self-assured 13-song collection. The more upbeat fare, including "Future Says Run," is open, catchy, and forceful. Ballads, such as "Waiting for the Light," are instantly appealing and beautiful without being sappy. Nearly all ofSugar's tunes have that hauntingly familiar feel. With the exception of "Jump Jimmy," which is redolent of theTubes' "She's a Beauty," they're fresh, honest, buoyant, and gladdening. Here, at least, high doses ofSugarare beneficial to your psyche.--Katherine Turman