Beaster (Remastered)

Beaster is an EP that gathers outtakes from Sugar's first album, Copper Blue. Generally considered more abrasive than the official album, Beaster feeds those who grew up with Hüsker Dü's punk menace; longtime Mould fans should feel comfortable with the feedback and aggression. "Come Around" grinds it out, while "Tilted" features powerful production that gives Mould the best sound of his career, with a solo that blurs beautifully into the rhythmic attack. It doesn't hurt that his bandmates are up to the task. "Judas Cradle" is a stoner-headbanger's dream. "JC Auto" and "Feeling Better" further the guitar-heavy attack, with "Walking Away" providing a gentler sway for the finale. With three cuts breaking the six-minute mark, Beaster feels less like an EP and more like a complete album all its own.