COUNTRY
"Love On The Inside"
Sugarland. Mercury. 12 tracks.
Grade: B

Stripped down, Sugarland reveals so much.

Mark Humphrey/AP (ENLARGE)
Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of the group Sugarland have performed with Jon Bon Jovi and Beyoncé.
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First of all, there's the superstar Atlanta country duo's origins: Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush started out individually on our sparer, folkier, singer-songwriter scene. (This is something newer fans may have missed amid the pop varnishes on their Sugarland recordings, the high-profile "Good Morning America" theme song and the songs with rock titan Jon Bon Jovi and R&B standout Beyoncé.)

Then there are the simple charms of those stripped-down arrangements, found throughout their new CD, "Love On The Inside." Mere taps on the drum head and flicks of the acoustic guitar are as fun as the goofy "do-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooohs" and "nah-nah-nah-naaahs" that follow.

But the best revelation here is more like a reminder; and that is, wow, what a vocalist Nettles is.

Sometimes Sugarland material can seem too sugary, too anthemic, too ready to be a movie score or cereal commercial.

And yet Nettles maintains your interest.

Just when you think she's full-force twang on current top 5 Billboard hit "All I Want To Do" and "Take Me As I Am," she's vulnerable loveliness on "What I'd Give" and "Keep You." Then she's good, smart-mouth sass on "Steve Earle." And heartbreaking and smart on "Very Last Country Song." And back again.

— Sonia Murray