Sugarland Enjoy The Ride CD

With the departure of founding member Kristen Hall, Sugarland slimmed down to a duo. Losing one-third of the formula that made their debut a country/pop crossover smash might seem a daunting proposition, but ENJOY THE RIDE finds remaining members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush not only surviving but thriving. Nettles's brassy belting has more sass and sex appeal than ever, and the in-your-face attitude on many of the pair's songs is even more brash and boundary-pushing than the most full-throttle moments on 2004's TWICE THE SPEED OF LIFE. While the uptempo tracks indicate that Sugarland has been paying attention to the Gretchen Wilson/Big & Rich camp, they're handily offset by more reflective balladic moments, making this a well-balanced RIDE.

Audio Mixers: David Thoener; Charlie Ainley.

Recording information: Blackbird, Nashville, TN; Essential Sound, Nashville, TN; Ocen Way Nashville, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Marc Baptiste.

Sugarland: Kristian Bush (various instruments); Jennifer Nettles.

Personnel: Jennifer Nettles (vocals, acoustic guitar, background vocals); Dan Dugmore (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, steel guitar, dobro); Kristian Bush (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, background vocals); Tom Bukovac (electric guitar, synthesizer); Thad Beaty, Kenny Greenberg, Scott Patton, Brad Paisley (electric guitar); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Tony Harrell (accordion, piano, organ, Mellotron, synthesizer); Tim Lauer (accordion); Brandon Bush (Clavinet, organ, percussion); Shannon Forrest (drums, cymbals, percussion); Greg Morrow (drums, percussion, loops); Annie Clements (background vocals).

Rolling Stone (p.114) - 3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]hese Georgians do bright pop country with a big hook quotient..."