Talk Normal, Sugarland (side A)

It's weird to listen to a record by a band that I've known for years and seen countless times. By 2009, Talk Normal's live shows had grown less chaotic and closer to their recordings—in parallel, Sugarland captures more of their live energy and grit than their earlier EPs. It reminds me a bit of Sandra Bell's Dreams of Falling—a reference that I'd never thought of before and a record that's dear to my heart. The simple, primitive cover art suits the music nicely, but I find Ted Jensen's mastering to have a bit too much presence peak.