acoustic, electric & slide guitars, mandolin, Mellotron, background vocals);

Dan Lavery (Fender Rhodes piano, Moog bass pedals, bass, background vocals).

Additional personnel: Eve Butler, Gerardo Hilera, Peter Kent, Michele Richards (violin); Matthew Funes, David Stenske (viola); Larry Corbett, Suzie Katayama (cello); Peter Maloney, Joey Waronker (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion).

Recorded at Kingsway, New Orleans, Louisiana; Sound City, Los Angeles, California; House Of Blues Studio, Encino, California.

An oasis in a desert of souring pop bands--that's the best way to describe Tonic's sophomore release, SUGAR. The trio delivers hooks like a prizefighter, and their balance of tension and melody makes for consistently memorable songs. "Knock Down Walls" is an anthem of love and manipulation, as vocalist/guitarist Emerson Hart sings, "you always grab a hold of the ones you can change/just a group of loner zeroes who will play your game."

Tonic's country rock roots shine brightly on the title track, while the emptiness of celebrity worship is played out in "Queen." "Waiting For the Light to Change" is a tender ballad describing the moment where one faces the harsh reality of loneliness. The Beatlesque "Sunflower" has some of Hart's most poetic lyrical moments, such as "when the wind blows I will kiss you like sunshine/stealing pieces from a perfect sky." TONIC effectively uses simple arrangements and incredibly singable melodies, making SUGAR a musical remedy that goes down as sweetly as its name.