These Southern California frat rockers have learned what they do best. Gone are the damaged noisefests that recall a more polished Rage Against the Machine and middle-period Stooges. Filling those spots are lighthearted ditties such as "Even Though" and "Falls Apart" that boast tropical guitar flourishes and almost Beatlesque harmonies. On 1997's Floored, the breeziness of "Fly" was the exception; on 14:59, it is the rule. Sugar Ray have cleaned up, sanitized, and civilized themselves, which might not be a bad thing in terms of accessibility and airplay.
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