Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Named after an obscure John Lennon quip on an outtake of A Day in the Life, Sugarplum Fairy, Sugarplum Fairy is the 18th record by prolific L.A. indie stalwarts the Black Watch. At this point in their 26-year career, the band is (and generally has been) essentially singer/songwriter John Andrew Fredrick, who plays every instrument aside from drums on this strong, fuzzed-out collection of strident, thoughtful indie pop. Echoes of mid-'90s underground indie rock, blissful shoegaze, and wistful guitar pop are threaded throughout the album's 11 tracks, most of which break the four- and five-minute mark with alternately lush and stinging guitar drones and experimental textures. Even clothed as such, Fredrick still hits his mark as a songwriter with standouts like the melodic "Dear Dead Love" and the stately "Good Night, Good Night, Good Night." The unusual pacing of the album is like a backward fuse, with all of the noise and electricity in the front half eventually fading into a trio of lovely acoustic numbers which, at times, harken back to the heyday of early-'70s British folk. Remarkably, it works and the subtlety of the gently faded "A Major Favor" and the gentle "Dear Anne" create a sort of warm, late album afterglow. It's a testament to Fredrick's creative choices and exploratory nature. With 18 albums under his belt, he could easily phone it in, but Sugarplum only serves to build on the Black Watch's reputation with another high-quality release.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
The Black Watch, MainArtist - John Andrew Fredrick, Composer
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
Album review
Named after an obscure John Lennon quip on an outtake of A Day in the Life, Sugarplum Fairy, Sugarplum Fairy is the 18th record by prolific L.A. indie stalwarts the Black Watch. At this point in their 26-year career, the band is (and generally has been) essentially singer/songwriter John Andrew Fredrick, who plays every instrument aside from drums on this strong, fuzzed-out collection of strident, thoughtful indie pop. Echoes of mid-'90s underground indie rock, blissful shoegaze, and wistful guitar pop are threaded throughout the album's 11 tracks, most of which break the four- and five-minute mark with alternately lush and stinging guitar drones and experimental textures. Even clothed as such, Fredrick still hits his mark as a songwriter with standouts like the melodic "Dear Dead Love" and the stately "Good Night, Good Night, Good Night." The unusual pacing of the album is like a backward fuse, with all of the noise and electricity in the front half eventually fading into a trio of lovely acoustic numbers which, at times, harken back to the heyday of early-'70s British folk. Remarkably, it works and the subtlety of the gently faded "A Major Favor" and the gentle "Dear Anne" create a sort of warm, late album afterglow. It's a testament to Fredrick's creative choices and exploratory nature. With 18 albums under his belt, he could easily phone it in, but Sugarplum only serves to build on the Black Watch's reputation with another high-quality release.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 00:41:13
- Main artists: The Black Watch
- Composer: John Andrew Fredrick
- Label: Pop Culture Press Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
2014 The Black Watch 2014 The Black Watch
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.