14:59

Sugar Ray

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. Some fans, however, might miss the hard-partying, screaming misanthropes of yore. And even the inclusion of old-school rapper KRS-One on "Live & Direct" doesn't make up for Sugar Ray's loss of innocence--although their shimmering cover of Steve Miller's "Abracadabra" inspires affection. Another saving grace is that they haven't lost their sense of humor, dubbing the album 14:59 as a homage to Andy Warhol's 15 fleeting minutes of fame. It would be an error, however, to conclude that Sugar Ray's hourglass is running out. --Jaan Uhelszki

14:59 Album: