Editing Palm Trees and Power Lines

{{For|the 2022 film|Palm Trees and Power Lines (film)}}
{{use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Palm Trees and Power Lines
| type       = Album
| artist     = [[Sugarcult]]
| cover      = Palmtreesandpowerlines.jpg
| alt        = A black and white outline of an actress in front of a full-color display of buildings, power lines and palm trees.
| released   = April 13, 2004
| recorded   = March–June, September 2003
| studio     = 
* Full Kilt, Hollywood, California
* Third Stone Recordings, Hollywood, California
| genre      = <!-- Do not add or change genres without adding a reliable source -->[[Pop punk]], [[power pop]]<!-- Sourced in prose -->
| length     = 40:43
| label      = [[Fearless Records|Fearless]], [[Artemis Records|Artemis]]
| producer   = Gavin MacKillop
| prev_title = [[Start Static]]
| prev_year  = 2001
| next_title = [[Lights Out (Sugarcult album)|Lights Out]]
| next_year  = 2006
| misc       = {{Singles
 | type       = studio
 | single1     = [[Memory (Sugarcult song)|Memory]]
 | single1date = March 16, 2004
 | single2     = She's the Blade
 | single2date = August 31, 2004
 }}
}}
'''''Palm Trees and Power Lines''''' is the second studio album by American [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Sugarcult]], released on April 13, 2004 through [[Fearless Records|Fearless]] and [[Artemis Records]]. A year after the release of their third studio album ''[[Start Static]]'' (2001), Kenny Livingston became their new drummer. Shortly afterwards, they started writing new material for the follow-up album. Recording started in March 2003 and ended in September 2003, in between various tours. Sessions were held at Full Kilt Studio and Third Stone Recording, both in North Hollywood, California, with producer Gavin MacKillop. ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' is a [[pop-punk]] and [[power pop]] album that recalled the work of [[Blink-182]].

''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' received mixed reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]], some praising the quality of songwriting, while others felt that the music was uninspiring and lacked originality. It peaked number 46 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]]. Following the album's recording, the band went on a headlining tour of the United States and supported [[Good Charlotte]] in Japan and the United Kingdom. Following another support slot, this time for [[MxPx]] and [[Simple Plan]], "[[Memory (Sugarcult song)|Memory]]" was released as the album's [[lead single]] in March 2004. The band then went on headlining stints of the US and Japan, leading into an appearance on the [[Warped Tour]]. She's the Blade" was released as the second single form the album in August 2004.

==Background and production==
Sugarcult released their third studio album ''[[Start Static]]'' in August 2001, which had two successful singles "Stuck in America" and "Bouncing Off the Walls",<ref name=AMbio>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/sugarcult-mn0000483188/biography|title=Sugarcult {{!}} Biography & History|publisher=AllMusic|author=Prato, Greg|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716190130/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sugarcult-mn0000483188/biography|archive-date=July 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=SCnews101401>{{cite web|url=http://sugarcult.com/site/news.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011014162136/http://www.sugarcult.com/site/news.html|title=News|publisher=Sugarcult|archive-date=October 14, 2001|access-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> through Ultimatum Music in the United States and [[Epitaph Records]] in Europe.<ref name=BV/> Drummer Ben Davis went to rehab<ref name=BV/> and was replaced by Lefty drummer Kenny Livingston in September 2002;<ref name=SCnews/> Davis officially left the group by [[Thanksgiving]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6360.html|title=Sugarcult - Epitaph punks talk to DiS|work=Drowned in Sound|author=Hocking, Mat|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040909074942/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/6360.html|archive-date=September 9, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> With Livingston's arrival, the group was impressed by his skill level and inspired the members to improve their own skills on their respective instruments.<ref name=BV/> The band then rented a rehearsal room and spend each day working on new material, writing all of the songs that would later feature on their next album in less than two months.<ref name=TWCinterview/> The band supported ''Start Static'' with two years of tours,<ref name=TWCinterview/> running into February 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5766.html|title=Sugarcult UK Shows - Sweet!|work=Drowned in Sound|author=Hocking, Mat|date=January 7, 2003|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040909075457/http://www.drownedinsound.com/articles/5766.html|archive-date=September 9, 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> By this point, frontman Tim Pagnotta had accumulated 16 new songs, with which he was hoping to expand on the "moodier" tracks from 'Start Static''.<ref name=PBMinterview>{{cite web|url=https://pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=11331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829152035/https://pennyblackmusic.co.uk/Home/Details?id=11331|title=Sugarcult - Interview with Tim Pagnotta|publisher=Pennyblackmusic|author=Willis, Julia|date=February 15, 2003|archive-date=August 29, 2022|access-date=August 30, 2022}}</ref>

Pre-production was done at Studio 9 in Los Angeles, lasting for three weeks.<ref name=SCInside>{{cite web|url=http://www.sugarcult.com/an_inside_look.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040504182738/http://www.sugarcult.com/an_inside_look.html|title=An Inside Look at Palm Trees and Power Lines|publisher=Sugarcult|author=Pagnotta, Tim|archive-date=May 4, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> Recording took place between March and June 2003<ref name=SCnews/> at Full Kilt Studio and Third Stone Recording in North Hollywood, California with Gavin MacKillop producing the proceedings.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet/> From May to September, the group went on a number of tours across Japan and Europe, with mixing and further recording sessions sprinkled in between.<ref name=SCnews/> John Nooney, Mauro Rubbi and Trent Slatton, the latter of whom also did programming, served as the [[Pro-Tools]] engineers during the sessions. Wesley Seidman acted as assistant engineer at Third Stone Recording. Additional production was then done by Pagnotta.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet/>

Several friends contributed instrumentation or vocals: Tim Cullen of [[Summercamp]] (additional backing vocals), [[Alain Johannes]] (additional guitar), Nooney and [[Ariel Rechtshaid]] of [[the Hippos]] (keyboards). Mixing was split across a few people at different studios: [[Tom Lord-Alge]] at South Beach Studio ("She's the Blade", "Crying", "[[Memory (Sugarcult song)|Memory]]", "Back to California" and "Over"), [[Mark Trombino]] at Chalice Recording Studios ("Worst December" and "Champagne") with assistance from Alan Mason, Mackillop ("Destination Anywhere", "What You Say", "Head Up" and "Counting Stars"), and [[Evan Frankfort]] ("Sign Off"). [[Brian Gardner]] mastered the recordings at Bernie Grudman Mastering in Hollywood, California.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet/>

==Composition==
Musically, the sound ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' has been described as [[pop punk]]<ref name=RHreview/> and [[power pop]],<ref name=Melodicreview/> drawing comparisons to [[Blink-182]].<ref name=OMHreview/><ref name=Melodicreview/> The title for the album was the result of DeSantis standing in the studio's back alley, look up at the skyline, where all he could see was palm trees and [[Electric power transmission|electrical lines]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2004/04/sugarcult-axe-man-reflects-on-album|title=Sugarcult: Axe-man reflects on album|work=The Eagle|author=Pinal, Jorge Del|date=April 15, 2004|access-date=April 7, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407173749/https://www.theeagleonline.com/article/2004/04/sugarcult-axe-man-reflects-on-album|url-status=live}}</ref> a view that Pagnotta saw as a combination of "beauty and harsh reality co-existing."<ref name=SCInside/> It is named after the scenery in California where the band members live.<ref name=BV/> Retaining the format of ''Start Static'', ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' consists of several [[uptempo]] rock songs with ballads placed throughout.<ref name=AMreview/>

[[File:Blink182.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Three men sat down looking forwards|''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' recalled the work of [[Blink-182]].]]
All of the lyrics were written by Pagnotta, while all of the music was credited to Pagnotta and the band.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet/> He would show a rough sketch of a song to the rest of the group, at which point they'd flesh it out. The tracks talk about the preceding two and half years of Pagnotta's life as a touring musician,<ref name=BV/> touching on the theme of being a traveller, determination to return home provoked by a relationship, with psychological and social struggles.<ref name=SCInside/> All of the material that ended up on the album was written over a six-week period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://65.108.164.40/interview_sugarcult_20.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050321220401/http://65.108.164.40/interview_sugarcult_20.html|title=Sugarcult: An {{as written|Exc|ercise &#91;sic&#93;}} in Irony|work=[[AMP (magazine)|AMP]]|date=April 2004|archive-date=March 21, 2005|access-date=July 21, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref> DeSantis referred to the album as a "document of the end of our innocence; we had toured for over 2 years non-stop and kind of became alienated from our old selves".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://annecarlini.com/ex_interviews.php?id=702|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410015639/http://annecarlini.com/ex_interviews.php?id=702|title=Sugarcult: The Darkness of Light Revealed|publisher=Exclusive Magazine|author=Trunk, Russell A.|archive-date=April 10, 2016|access-date=July 21, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Tracks 1–5===
"She's the Blade" was written when Pagnotta was playing his guitar in his bedroom. He was noodling with a chord progression that he thought was reminiscent of a transcending keyboard part – which he had admiration for [[Elvis Costello]]'s attempts at this, namely on his track "[[Radio Radio]]". Pagnotta began singing melody lines over his chosen progression until he came up with the lyric "She's the blade and you're just paper", with the rest of the song falling into place afterwards. DeSantis visited Pagnotta and the pair worked on guitar parts, one of which eventually became a keyboard part that Rechtshaid would play on the final recording. Early versions of the song included an intro guitar riff but was scrapped in favour of Livingston's [[Counting (music)|count-in]]. Similarly the track used to have a middle section of [[Twelve-bar blues|12-bars]] that Pagnotta referred to as "bad classic rock", which was removed at MacKillop's insistence.<ref name=SCInside/>

"Crying" was written over the course of six months, with Pagnotta only having a guitar riff for the pre-chorus and main chorus for long period of time. He said the bridge section was reminiscent of [[U2]], specifically the use of a [[floor tom]] to keep time, as heard on some U2 songs on their ''[[War (U2 album)|War]]'' (1983) album. He added a guitar solo to the track, three days prior to it being mixed. Though Pagnotta disliked it, MacKillop kept it in the final mix. Cullen is singing harmonies on the song; during the recording of this, and since he felt the ending was too sparse, Pagnotta came up with a lyric for the song's outro.<ref name=SCInside/> "Memory" was first song finished for the album, dating at least a year prior to when they recorded it.<ref name=TWCinterview/> Pagnotta wrote it about a person he met while touring in [[Boston, Massachusetts]]. During this time he had just gotten out of a relationship and was cautious about starting another. He began daydreaming about how a relationship with the person from Boston wouldn't work. He then picked up his guitar and started strumming chords, writing what would ultimately become "Memory".<ref name=SCInside/>

Pagnotta kept "Worst December" a secret for sometime, he reasoned that as the lyrics were "a bit confessional in regards to a relationship", he worried that his partner would find the lyric sheet and they'd "have to confront our issues."<ref name=SCInside/> The music of the track was influenced by Bright Life, a band from the group's hometown, who Pagnotta applauded for the usage of [[open chord]]s in their material. Livingston keeps time in the song using the edge of his [[Tom-tom drum|tom]], resulting in a clock-like ticking sound which gave the track "a nice ambient space."<ref name=SCInside/> It ties into one of the two lyrical themes (space), with the other about being away from home.<ref name=SCInside/> "Back to California", which had a similar structure to "[[Stay Together for the Kids]]" by Blink-182,<ref name=OMHreview/> was written about returning home from touring solely to break up with a partner.<ref name=BV/> When Pagnotta showed the track to Livingston, the pair started talking about [[Jimmy Eat World]]'s use of hand percussion, which found its way into the song's intro. It featured several stacked vocal parts and [[Call and response (music)|call-and-response]] harmonies during the chorus, which Pagnotta heard when listening to [[The Carpenters|Carpenters]] albums during his childhood.<ref name=SCInside/>

===Tracks 6–12===
During an off-day in the first week of pre-production, Pagnotta arrived at the studio early and began playing drums while vocalising melodies. He based this off the group [[Spoon (band)|Spoon]], whose music arrangements revolved around the drums and vocals. He began singing what would become "Destination Anywhere"; when Livingston arrived at the studio the pair started fleshing out the remainder of the song. At the group's next practice session bassist Airin Older came up with a riff that Pagnotta said was a mix between "[[New Year's Day (U2 song)|New Year's Day]]" by U2 and several [[Motown#Motown sound|Motown]] tracks, while DeSantis added [[Stab (music)|stabs]] in the vein of British [[Mod (subculture)#Music|mod]] music. Upon MacKillop hearing it, he remarked it sounded like [[INXS]], to which the band was "all shocked in horror."<ref name=SCInside/> The vocals for the track had to be re-recorded twice over as MacKillop thought it need to come across as intimate-sounding; a [[Moog synthesizer|moog]] riff was added in the bridge.<ref name=SCInside/>

"Champagne" is about Pagnotta's relationship with the group's former drummer Davis. He started writing it before Davis' departure when he noticed how different Davis was acting since he became an alcoholic.<ref name=BV/> It bounces between first-and-third person views; Pagnotta referred to it as [[the Cars]] "on steroids."<ref name=SCInside/> It was the last track finished during recording, and was mixed by Trombino, which Pagnotta felt added a denser layer to the song that they hadn't thought about. "What You Say" resulted from an in-the-moment jam session between Livingston and Pagnotta.<ref name=SCInside/> It was compared to the [[Foo Fighters]];<ref name=Melodicreview/> the guitar riff specifically recalled the one heard in "[[Breed (song)|Breed]]" by [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]].<ref name=OMHreview/> "Over" existed as a verse section for a few weeks; Pagnotta didn't feel it was fleshed out enough to share with the rest of the band. When the band was recording drums, Pagnotta showed Livingston and MacKillop a complete chorus section. The trio worked on it and planned to record it the following day, which by then they tracked it in 30 minutes. DeSantis suggested a [[Break (music)|rhythm break]] before the last chorus, which was then added to the track.<ref name=SCInside/>

"Head Up" evolved out of an idea that was written backstage during a show while in Belgium. The opening act was playing onstage upstairs while Pagnotta was downstairs attempting to track the idea into his recorder. Unable to hear the key of the chords, he recorded a tiny bit and fleshed out the song during soundcheck with the rest of the band the following day. It talks about remaining positive when you're doing something that other people may not like, something that Pagnotta felt after dropping out of education to focus on music. The chord progression for "Counting Stars" existed for about two months, during this time Pagnotta was unable to come up with any melodies or lyrics.<ref name=SCInside/> Pagnotta said he received test results from his doctor saying he was ill, only for further results nine days later to say he was okay. Between these results he wrote the lyrics to "Counting Stars", which acted as "an apology for anything I may have done wrong to hurt the world, people, friends."<ref name=BV>Shari Black Velvet 2004</ref> On the final recording, a friend of the band contributed what Pagnotta referred to as"sounds with his guitar that sounded like animals dying."<ref name=SCInside/> The closing track, "Sign Off", was written by Pagnotta as he sat on the end of his bed. He explained that partway through the making of the album he felt lonely, confused and sad while questioning his life.<ref name=BV/> It was recorded in the back room at the studio solely by Pagnotta, with some overdubs from MacKillop.<ref name=SCInside/>

==Release==
On September 24, 2003, Sugarcult mentioned on their website that their next album would appear in February 2004. Between October and December 2003, the group embarked on a headlining US tour with support from [[Story of the Year]], [[Plain White T's]], Jackson and Denver Harbor. During the stint, they played a number of new songs from their forthcoming album. Partway through the excursion, on November 20, 2003, the album's title ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' was revealed. Prior to the tour taking place, an acoustic version of "Memory" was included on the Fearless Records-helmed compilation ''[[Punk Goes Acoustic]]''.<ref name=SCnews/> On December 15, 2003, the album was given an updated release date – March 2004.<ref name=Melodicannounce>{{cite web|url=http://melodic.net/#!/news/1822|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200209100629/http://melodic.net/%23!/news/1822|title=Sugarcult With New Album In March|work=Melodic|author=Wippsson, Johan|date=December 15, 2003|archive-date=February 9, 2020|access-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this, the group supported [[Good Charlotte]] on their tour of the United Kingdom,<ref name=SCnews>{{cite web|url=http://66.227.101.159/news.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209141514/http://66.227.101.159/news.php|title=Sugarcult News|publisher=Sugarcult|archive-date=December 9, 2003|access-date=April 4, 2020}}</ref> before supporting them again on a tour of Japan in January 2004. During the same month, the band filmed a music video for "Memory".<ref name=MelodicJanuary>{{cite web|url=http://melodic.net/?page=news&id=2036|title=Sugarcult update.|work=Melodic|author=Wippsson, Johan|date=January 24, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427205341/http://melodic.net/?page=news&id=2036|archive-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> On January 15, the band signed to [[Fearless Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/8095/sugarcult-signs-to-fearless|title=Sugarcult signs to Fearless|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=January 15, 2004|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823075709/https://www.punknews.org/article/8095/sugarcult-signs-to-fearless|url-status=live}}</ref> In January and February, the band supported [[MxPx]] and [[Simple Plan]] on their co-headlining US tour.<ref name=SCnews/> On February 25, the album's track listing was revealed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://melodic.net/?page=news&id=2176|title=Listen to a new track from Sugarcult's upcoming album|work=Melodic|author=Wippsson, Johan|date=February 25, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427205338/http://melodic.net/?page=news&id=2176|archive-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The music video for "Memory" was posted online on March 11, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/8619/examine-the-memory-of-sugarcult|title=Examine the Memory of Sugarcult|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=March 11, 2004|access-date=March 23, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721160447/https://www.punknews.org/article/8619/examine-the-memory-of-sugarcult|url-status=live}}</ref> The song was released to radio on March 16;<ref name=FMQB>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771|title=FMQB Airplay Archive: Modern Rock|publisher=Friday Morning Quarterback Album Report, Incorporated|access-date=October 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424132036/http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16771|archive-date=April 24, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> the CD single featured "Blackout" and an acoustic version of "Memory".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="Memory"|others=[[Sugarcult]]|year=2004|type=sleeve|publisher=[[Fearless Records|Fearless]]/[[Artemis Records]]|id=RCD51082}}</ref>

After being originally scheduled for release on March 9,<ref name=Melodicannounce/> ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' was eventually released on April 13.<ref name=MelodicJanuary/> The artwork continues the Californian theme of the title with an actress in front of the palm trees and electrical lines that make up the album's namesake. Though DeSantis claimed it wasn't wholly a tribute to California, he explained that with the band frequently touring other countries "you sort of have a concept of home, and the more you're gone ... it becomes even more blurry, but it is home nonetheless. And California represents that for us."<ref name=BV/> Ultimatum Music sold the rights to ''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' to [[Artemis Records]], who partnered up with Fearless Records. Pagnotta explained they need a larger amount of label staff to handle the album; Ultimatum had downsized its operations while the group now worked with the same people at Artemis that had helped for ''Static Static''. Epitaph wasn't interested in the album, after struggling to break the band in the UK/Europe, resulting in Rykodisc handling the release for that region.<ref name=BV/> The Japanese edition, released through independent label Maximum10, featured "Blackout" as a bonus track.<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title=Palm Trees and Power Lines|others=[[Sugarcult]]|year=2004|type=sleeve|publisher=Maximum10|id=CTCM-65060}}</ref>

The group had to cancel the first week of touring for the album due to Pagnotta suffering from [[tinnitus]]. When touring restarted, the band did a round of acoustic shows; their headlining US tour continued into May, when they embarked on a Japanese tour.<ref name=TWCinterview>{{cite web|url=https://westerncourier.com/26151/news/sugarcult/|title=Sugarcult|work=The Western Courier|author=Hicks, Jonathan|date=April 16, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402212959/https://westerncourier.com/26151/news/sugarcult/|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the release, the band performed on the [[Warped Tour]] between mid July and mid August.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/8164/warped-adds-melee-code-of-tha-cutz-stage|title=Warped adds Melee, Code of Tha Cutz stage|work=Punknews.org|author=Heisel, Scott|date=January 23, 2004|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721160457/https://www.punknews.org/article/8164/warped-adds-melee-code-of-tha-cutz-stage|url-status=live}}</ref> "She's the Blade" was released to radio on August 31;<ref name=FMQB/> the CD single featured a Mark Trombine mix of "Destination Anywhere", a live version of "Stuck in America", and the music video for "She's the Blade".<ref>{{cite AV media notes|title="She's the Blade"|others=[[Sugarcult]]|year=2004|type=sleeve|publisher=Fearless Records|id=B0006ULW2Y}}</ref> The computer-generated video sees the group acting as doctors and operating on a girl; Pagnotta likened the clip to ''[[Weird Science (film)|Weird Science]]'' (1985).<ref name=MTVBlade/> In October and November, the group supported [[Green Day]] on their headlining US tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1490903/new-found-glory-to-shoot-top-secret-video-before-green-day-tour/|title=New Found Glory To Shoot 'Top Secret' Video Before Green Day Tour|publisher=MTV|author=Montgomery, James|date=September 10, 2004|access-date=July 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721162235/http://www.mtv.com/news/1490903/new-found-glory-to-shoot-top-secret-video-before-green-day-tour/|archive-date=July 21, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> The group closed the year supporting [[Blink-182]] on their European tour.<ref name=MTVBlade>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1494919/sugarcult-quickly-approaching-sandwich-screaming-status/|title=Sugarcult Quickly Approaching Sandwich-Screaming Status|publisher=MTV|author=Montgomery, James|date=December 15, 2004|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093054/http://www.mtv.com/news/1494919/sugarcult-quickly-approaching-sandwich-screaming-status/|archive-date=November 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The band headlined the US [[Take Action Tour]] in February and March 2005, followed by another support slot for Green Day on their Japanese tour.<ref name=MTVBlade/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/11498/tours-take-action-tour-updates|title=Take Action! Tour updates|publisher=Punknews.org|author=White, Adam|date=January 29, 2005|access-date=October 30, 2021|archive-date=October 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030084728/https://www.punknews.org/article/11498/tours-take-action-tour-updates|url-status=live}}</ref> They released their first video album, ''Back to Disaster'', in November 2005, which featured footage from the previous few years of touring.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.punknews.org/article/14343/sugarcult-posts-e-card-for-back-to-the-disaster-dvdcd|title=Sugarcult posts e-card for 'Back to the Disaster' DVD+CD|publisher=Punknews.org|author=Paul, Aubin|date=November 4, 2005|access-date=November 21, 2021|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721160448/https://www.punknews.org/article/14343/sugarcult-posts-e-card-for-back-to-the-disaster-dvdcd|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Music ratings
| rev1      = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name=AMreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/palm-trees-and-power-lines-mw0000338039|title=Palm Trees and Power Lines - Sugarcult {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits|publisher=AllMusic|author=Loftus, Johnny|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017090425/https://www.allmusic.com/album/palm-trees-and-power-lines-mw0000338039|archive-date=October 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev4      = ''[[Drowned in Sound]]''
| rev4score = 6/10<ref name=DISreview>{{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3658/reviews/9458-|title=Album Review: Sugarcult - Palm Trees and Power Lines|work=Drowned in Sound|author=Diver, Mike|date=April 22, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222161428/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3658/reviews/9458-|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev5      = ''[[Melodic (magazine)|Melodic]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name=Melodicreview>{{cite web|url=http://melodic.net/?page=review&id=2058|title=Sugarcult - Palm Trees And Power Lines|work=Melodic|author=Ellis, Andrew|date=March 16, 2004|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429000240/http://melodic.net/?page=review&id=2058|archive-date=April 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rev8      = ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]''
| rev8score = 7/10<ref name=RHreview>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/sugarcult-palm-trees-and-power-lines_281985.html|title=Sugarcult - Palm Trees And Power Lines|work=Rock Hard|author=Schleutermann, Marcus|date=July 21, 2004|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402211310/https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/sugarcult-palm-trees-and-power-lines_281985.html|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live|language=de}}</ref>
| rev9      = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev9score = {{Rating|2|5}}<ref name=RSreview>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/5265790/palm_trees_and_power_lines|title=Rolling Stone review|magazine=Rolling Stone|author=Hoard, Christian|date=June 10, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071002091458/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/5265790/palm_trees_and_power_lines|archive-date=October 2, 2007}}</ref>
| rev10      = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev10score = C−<ref name=Spinreview>''Spin'' 2004, p. 108</ref>
}}
''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' was met with mixed reviews from [[Music journalism|music critics]]. [[AllMusic]] reviewer Johnny Loftus said it "might not be as direct" as their past releases, "meaning they want to trade a bit of the bubblegum for some mall-punk songwriting cred". He added that the "hooks are more murky [...] perhaps the bandmembers are aiming for some 'seriousness' this time around".<ref name=AMreview/> ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'' writer Mike Diver felt that the band had toned down the "cheese and upped its angst", saying that have a "collective ear for a pop tune" that their contemporaries lacked. Though he summarised the album as "throwaway stuff for sure," it was a "blast while it lasts".<ref name=DISreview/> Azeem Ahmad of ''[[musicOMH]]'' said the album was not "original, there's no question about that. But its brilliance lies in the fact that the best of other influences have been thrown into the equation, making a finished product that is pretty damn good".<ref name=OMHreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/sugarcult-palm-trees-and-power-lines|title=Sugarcult – Palm Trees And Power Lines - Album Reviews|work=musicOMH|author=Ahmad, Azeem|date=April 12, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222115525/http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/sugarcult-palm-trees-and-power-lines|archive-date=December 22, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[PopMatters]]''{{'}} Stephen Haag felt that it "strives for the growth attained by the above-mentioned band, but comes up short". He explained that the reason was all the "too much damn moping".  He added that acts like Sugarcult are not "popular for their introspection; they're popular for their guitar hooks and general catchiness".<ref name=PMreview>{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/sugarcult-palmtrees/|title=Sugarcult: Palm Trees and Power Lines|work=PopMatters|author=Haag, Stephen|date=June 1, 2004|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213143151/http://www.popmatters.com/review/sugarcult-palmtrees/|archive-date=December 13, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

DJ of [[Complete Music Update|CMU Daily]] wrote that while it had "few surprises on this long player, but there's plenty of satisfying tracks and much evidence of a progression in the Californian band's sound".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://completemusicupdate.com/htmldaily/a092.html|title=Album Review|publisher=[[Complete Music Update|CMU Daily]]|author=DJ|date=April 14, 2004|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402213228/https://completemusicupdate.com/htmldaily/a092.html|archive-date=April 2, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The staff at ''Modern Fix'' saw it as a "strong" effort from the band, who "keeps it sweet with some dreamy lyrics for the younger fans, while touching on a hard edge for the older listeners".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.modernfix.com/reviews/cdsugarcult-2/|title=Review: Sugarcult|work=Modern Fix|access-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414172403/http://www.modernfix.com/reviews/cdsugarcult-2/|archive-date=April 14, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''[[Melodic (magazine)|Melodic]]'' writer Andrew Ellis said that apart from a " few obligatory ballads which are just ok, this sweetheart of a CD shows that the band deserves to become an even bigger player in the game of major label rock".<ref name=Melodicreview/> ''[[Rock Hard (magazine)|Rock Hard]]'' writer Marcus Schleutermann thought that the tracks were  "just as casual as the album title". He praised the band's "knack for beautiful vocal melodies and well-rounded arrangements, [...] but in this form it all sounds too good, boring to me and interchangeable".<ref name=RHreview/> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' reviewer Christian Hoard thought that for each "woozily nostalgic or promisingly toothy moment [...] there's a torrent of youthful wallowing on its way. The craftsmanship on Palm Trees shows Sugarcult are moving toward adulthood, but for now they're still mad for sadness".<ref name=RSreview/> The staff at ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' wrote that there was "something kinda sweet about pop-punk bands that express their everydude empathy by being as uninspired as the kids they would love to reach".<ref name=Spinreview/>

''Palm Trees and Power Lines'' sold 22,000 copies, reaching number 46 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1486482/usher-1-for-fourth-straight-week-hoobastank-take-big-leap/|title=Usher #1 For Fourth Straight Week, Hoobastank Take Big Leap|publisher=MTV|author=Mancini, Rob|date=April 21, 2004|access-date=April 2, 2020|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721160449/https://www.mtv.com/news/w1pvcf/usher-1-for-fourth-straight-week-hoobastank-take-big-leap|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Track listing==
All lyrics by Tim Pagnotta, all music by Pagnotta and Sugarcult.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet/>

# "She's the Blade" – 2:59
# "Crying" – 3:29
# "[[Memory (Sugarcult song)|Memory]]" – 3:46
# "Worst December" – 3:37
# "Back to California" – 4:07
# "Destination Anywhere" – 3:51
# "Champagne" – 2:56
# "What You Say" – 2:39
# "Over" – 3:24
# "Head Up" – 3:56
# "Counting Stars" – 3:38
# "Sign Off" – 2:13

'''Japanese bonus track'''
#<li value=13>"Blackout" – 3:10

==Personnel==
Personnel per booklet.<ref name=PTAPLbooklet>{{cite AV media notes|title=Palm Trees and Power Lines |others=[[Sugarcult]] |year=2004|type=booklet|publisher=[[Fearless Records|Fearless]]/[[Artemis Records]]|id=RCD17018}}, Retrieved, April 15, 2004</ref>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Sugarcult'''
* Tim Pagnotta – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
* [[Marko DeSantis]] – lead guitar
* Airin Older – bass, vocals
* Kenny Livingston – drums

'''Additional musicians'''
* Tim Cullen – additional vocals
* [[Alain Johannes]] – additional guitar
* John Nooney – keyboards
* [[Ariel Rechtshaid]] – keyboards
* Trent Slatton – programming
{{col-2}}
'''Production'''
* Gavin Mackillop – producer, recording; mixing <small>(tracks 6, 8, 10 and 11)</small>
* Nick Condodina – [[enhanced CD]] footage
* Sim Klugerman – enhanced CD footage
* Sugarcult – enhanced CD footage
* John Logsdon – enhanced CD editing
* Piper Ferguson – band photos
* Lisa Johnson – band photos
* Yoshika Horita – band photos
* Gregg Kulick – art direction, design
* [[Tom Lord-Alge]] – mixing <small>(tracks 1–3, 5 and 9)</small>
* [[Mark Trombino]] – mixing <small>(tracks 4 and 7)</small>
* Alan Mason – mixing assistant
* [[Evan Frankfort]] – mixing <small>(track 12)</small>
* [[Brian Gardner]] – mastering
* Wesley Seidman – assistant engineer
* John Nooney – [[Pro-Tools]] engineer
* Mauro Rubbi – Pro-Tools engineer, drum tech
* Trent Slatton – Pro-Tools engineer
* Tim Pagnotta – additional production
{{col-end}}

==Charts==
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+Chart performance for<br/>''Palm Trees and Power Lines''
!Chart (2004)
!Peak<br />position
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|46|artist=Sugarcult|album=Palm Trees and Power Lines|rowheader=true|access-date=July 21, 2022}}
|}

==References==
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

'''Sources'''
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite journal|author=Shari Black Velvet|title=All Roads Lead To Sugarcult|journal=Black Velvet|date=May 2004|issue=40|publisher=Shari Black Velvet|location=Redditch|issn=1355-1477|url=https://blackvelvetmagazine.com/sugarcult.htm|access-date=April 3, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407085849/https://blackvelvetmagazine.com/sugarcult.htm|url-status=live}}
* {{cite journal|title=Breakdown|journal=Spin|date=May 2004|issue=5|volume=20|issn=0886-3032|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Is53I1fXC1YC&pg=PA108|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=July 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721160447/https://books.google.com/books?id=Is53I1fXC1YC&pg=PA108|url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
<!-- This is a licensed stream for the album, which is allowed under Wikipedia polices -->
*[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kKzm5VfQaaTJwMuF6mF6ZrpFyNuiph2vo ''Palm Trees and Power Lines''] at [[YouTube]] (streamed copy where licensed)

{{Sugarcult}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sugarcult albums]]
[[Category:2004 albums]]
[[Category:Fearless Records albums]]
[[Category:Artemis Records albums]]

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[[pl:Sugarcult]]