The Sucker Punch Show

AMG Review of The Sucker Punch Show

Jared Johnson
All Music Guide

The '90s alternative creative energy of Tripping Daisy and Marcy Playground meets the 21st century darkness of the Rasmus. But without fully aligning themselves to any particular trend in modern rock, Lovedrug ends up sounding isolated in their warped world view. Take for example the self-destructive sentiment on "Everyone Needs a Halo": "Got tired of asking you to help me tie my noose." Vocalist/guitarist Michael Shepard sings in an upper register with the gusto of Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida. Sometimes he is the one giving the punches, like on the assaulting "Only One," while at other times he's the one being knocked out: "This all started with a low-down kick in the head" ("Broken Home"). The Sucker Punch Show has moments of intrigue, but regrettably falls short of significance as a whole.