Sugar Ray's new album is more mature and varied

Most people associate Sugar Ray with their surprise hit "Fly" from their sophomore album "Floored." The Orange County, California band threatened to be a one-hit-wonder when the overly metallic follow up single "RPM" flopped on the pop charts. While "Floored" was a fitting tribute to the range of influences Sugar Ray draws from, it often sounded disjointed in its efforts to juxtapose so many different sounds. With the speedy release of "14:59" Sugar Ray makes a good case that they will avoid the flash in the pan fate that a big summer hit can cause. The songs on "14:59" still vary from hip hop to punk to pure pop but the band has taken a simpler approach with the aid of former Bangles producer David Kahne. The album's first single "Every Morning" features a light acoustic sound over distinctly hip hop beats.