| Copper Blue | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 4, 1992 | |||
| Recorded | 1990–1992 | |||
| Studio | The Outpost,Stoughton, Massachusetts | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 44:58 | |||
| Label | Rykodisc/Creation | |||
| Producer | Bob Mould,Lou Giordano | |||
| Sugar chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Copper Blue | ||||
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Copper Blue is the debut studio album by Americanalternative rock bandSugar. It was voted 1992 Album of the Year by theNME. All of the songs were written by guitarist/vocalistBob Mould, who also co-produced withLou Giordano. Musically, the band continues the thickpunk guitar of Mould's previous band,Hüsker Dü, while slowing the tempo and emphasizing melody even more.
During the 1980s,Bob Mould was the guitarist and a lead vocalist of the rock bandHüsker Dü. Initially rooted inhardcore punk, Hüsker Dü eventually developed a sound based aroundalternative rock, with an emphasis onmelody. When Hüsker Dü disbanded in 1987, Mould continued as a solo artist, and released two albums in 1989 and 1991. His debut solo album in particular,Workbook, eschewed the hardcore sound that had previously defined his career, and instead featured a lighter sound withfolk influence.[4]
In 1991,Nirvana released its seminal albumNevermind, which was in part responsible for bringing alternative rock andgrunge to mainstream popularity. The popularity ofNevermind and its grunge sound had a profound impact on Mould. In an interview withNPR, Mould said: "WhenNevermind came out, that album changed the way people listen to music. A lot of the songs that I had been writing in 1991 led up to my next group, Sugar — and had it not been forNevermind, I don't know if Sugar'sCopper Blue would have stood a chance in '92. But people were now receptive to this sound."[5] Around this time, Mould lost the publishing rights to his solo albums, and was dropped fromVirgin Records. This necessitated a nine-month solo tour throughout Europe. During this tour, Mould wrote and performed new songs to see how people reacted.[4][6]
Mould described the music he wrote on tour as "more melodic and immediate than on the other solo records". He had written over thirty songs for a third solo album, and recorded a homedemo tape.[7] After some recommendations from one of his friends, Mould signed withRykodisc andCreation Records, who would release his next album in the United States and Europe respectively. Mould then began looking for studio musicians, and recruited bassistDavid Barbe and drummerMalcolm Travis in late 1991. He also hiredLou Giordano to produce the album at the Outpost inStoughton, Massachusetts.[8] The band's name came from asugar packet Mould noticed while eating at a diner with the other two members.[4][6]
A limited edition initial run of the CD was released byRykodisc in a front-and-back metal copper sleeve with each of the 2,500 copies containing a one-of-a-kindPolaroid photo taken by one of the three band members and stamped on the back with "Sugar Copper Blue Summer '92."
Several tracks were recorded for this album, but were not included. Mould decided to release them separately as an EP entitledBeaster.
Rykodisc released a remastered version pressed on 180-gram vinyl on June 21, 2011. It is accompanied by a drop card for a free download of the digital version.[9]
On July 24, 2012, the album was reissued byMerge Records as a three-disc set containing the full album accompanied by B-sides (disc 1), theBeaster EP (disc 2), and a 1992 live performance atChicago'sCabaret Metro (disc 3).[10]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| Chicago Tribune | [12] |
| Entertainment Weekly | B+[13] |
| Los Angeles Times | [14] |
| Mojo | [15] |
| NME | 9/10[16] |
| Pitchfork | 8.9/10[3] |
| Q |  [17] |
| Rolling Stone | [18] |
| The Village Voice | A−[19] |
TheToronto Star noted that "Mould's singing has never been better, and it's improved by the judicious use of multi-tracking rather than a back-up singer."[20]The Baltimore Sun wrote that "Copper Blue boasts some of Mould's most consistent writing, but what ultimately gives this album its edge is the way the band's untrammeled intensity seems to heighten the melodic impact of the material."[21]
In August 2012, Bob Mould and his band (Jason Narducy on bass andJon Wurster on drums) embarked on a "Copper Blue Tour", playing the album in its entirety at several European and American venues.[22][23]
"The last word in love songs," enthusedNME, "and the full stop after heartbreak."[24]
The album was included in the book1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[25]
It was voted number 699 in the third edition ofColin Larkin'sAll Time Top 1000 Albums (2000).[26]
All songs written byBob Mould[27]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Act We Act" | 5:10 |
| 2. | "A Good Idea" | 3:47 |
| 3. | "Changes" | 5:01 |
| 4. | "Helpless" | 3:05 |
| 5. | "Hoover Dam" | 5:27 |
| 6. | "The Slim" | 5:14 |
| 7. | "If I Can't Change Your Mind" | 3:18 |
| 8. | "Fortune Teller" | 4:27 |
| 9. | "Slick" | 4:59 |
| 10. | "Man on the Moon" | 4:32 |
| Total length: | 44:58 | |
Credits adapted from theliner notes ofCopper Blue.[27]
Albums[edit]
| Singles[edit]
|
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[32] | Silver | 60,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)