“It’s all a blur until you realize nothing’s real unless it’s worth it,” are lyrics from Backseat Goodbye’s recently released album, The Good Years. The album instantly climbed the charts on iTunes, making it up to number 75 in less than 24 hours. This is singer/songwriter Chad Sugg’s second full-length album and was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. You may know him for such songs as “Technicolor Eyes” or “Hey”.
Chad Sugg has the kind of feel good music you can hardly help but love. He brings powerful lyrics with the music to back it. If your looking for a love song, check out tracks such as “1996” with lyrics, “The sun’s shining, I’m fine just being lost. I don’t need another reason to leave this all behind. To hell with all the seasons, all I need is you and I’ll be just fine. I won’t worry about tomorrow, ’cause I love love love today.” For those losing love, check out “Letdown of the Year.”
He starts the album off with a mellow track “Elliot Smith Is Still Alive”, his way of stating what’s on his mind, from a bad relationship, to prospects of dreams to losing friends. But he leaves it on a positive note with the line ” I’ll learn to fly if I want to, just let me grab my cape.” He gives his listeners the encouragement that no matter what they go through they can still get to their dreams if they only give it a try.
“Infinity and Beyond” is one of my favorites of the entire album, with Sugg giving his point of view of wondering how he got where he was and what it took for him to get here. He is an unsigned artist and on his own budget. This album was recorded on his own dime with fan’s donations. He finally came to the realization while remaining humble that what he has to offer is actually what people want to hear and that he has to get it out in the world one way or another.
“So Long, You Were Right” is a song about vengeance and a way of putting someone in their place. He talks about how he changes himself to keep the ghost of his past away from him and still feels indifferent. He sums it up by stating, “Everyone’s a poet these days, spouting off ’bout how they just don’t get it. Stop writing ’bout life and live it.” Which is true; everyone can talk the talk but who actually walks the walk? Instead of saying what you want it to be, you have to make it happen.
Sugg is sure to bring his musical influences into his music, with influences such as the The Cure, Elliot Smith and Jimmy Eat World. Other songs such as “Elliot Smith Is Still Alive” and “Moons” are focused on love lost between two people. He always takes the time to reflect in other tracks on friends lost and how he has grown up and changed.
Sugg did a superb job on this album; it really showed how his music has matured over the years and where it will continue to go. If you haven’t checked out Backseat Goodbye, this is the perfect opportunity to end that right now and do so.