After the Blackout

Noah Sugarman drops his follow up album to his 09 debut, “Art Of Starting A Fire”, with After The Blackout, a collection of tracks that hit on life in all its black and white glory. The album sounds as if it has a throwback feel to the 90’s but its big draw is the lyrical.

After The Blackout feels and sounds so real because it basically tackles life. The opening track, Ladder, talks about taking your destiny into your own hands and forgetting about boundaries and superstitions. The only thing in this world that can stop you from reaching your dreams is you. A Simple message with a radio friendly structure and no gimmicks.

Heros & Heroines is another good track that talks about growing up, becoming the person you want to be and not relying on creating an image from the bits and pieces of media fads that come and go. Instead look around you at the single parents, the hardworking teachers, the blue bloods. There are heroes to be found everywhere and who really do sacrifice themselves for others on a day to day basis in the real world.

The album has a real pop appeal to it and mixes that with some country twang and folk like lyrics. Noah Sugarman reminded me a lot of Adam Duritz of Counting Crows with his straight forward vocal style, slipping in some masterful strokes here and there. After The Blackout is just one of those reflective albums, one that you can listen to and know that somewhere out there someone has the same thoughts on the world as you, that someone really gets it. It’s smart and enjoyable to listen to over and over. I highly suggest.