6x****As if to illustrate turning his back on the sonic focus of Husker Du, the intricate melody and instrumental flash of "Sunspots"****, and the massive follow-up "Wishing Well"**** have a new musical density that was hinted at but was unpractical in Husker Du. "Wishing Well" pushes what sounds like a choir of guitars into the red, with chords stacked on chords topped with memorable leads. This is the formula that would basically sum up all of Sugar's output. The chorus melody/chords of "Poison Years" is later recycled into "JC Auto" (from Beaster), though this song switches between a sparse 80's Rush and choral power pop, while the major pop hit "See A Little Light"**** sounds great in the context of the album's sonic range. The acoustic "Sinners And Their Repentances"**** resembles The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes", while "Brasalia Crossed With Trenton" has an "Out Of Time" REM-alternative approach. While "Compositions For The Young And Old" and "Lonely Afternoon" continue this middling approach, "Dreaming, I Am"**** sits somewhere Police and circa 1990 Cure, culminating in a beautiful descending melody in the bridge. Foreshadowing the chaotic fury of Beaster, "Whichever Way The wind Blows"**** is a "Helter Skelter" full-frontal riff assault, which leaves a fantastic unease after this tuneful though heavily-produced set.
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