The Incredible Machine, by Sugarland

I became aware of Sugarland while watching a country-music awards show and heard hit song “Life in a Northern Town.” This spellbinding song, which packs original lyrics, world beats, and a reggae-gospel chorus, is unlike anything I have heard before in country music. One could describe their fourth album the same way.

Vocalist Jennifer Nettles and guitarist Kristian Bush have sold over 8 million records and won multiple awards, including two Grammys for hit song “Stay.” The title cut could have been written by U2. It's a stadium-sized pop song in which the only country roots are in the Texas twang of Ms. Nettles soaring vocal.

Radio hit "Stuck Like Glue" starts out country — "There you go, making my heart beat again..." — and then surprises with reggae and rap.

Sugarland has evolved into a supergroup of the U2, Bon Jovi, Cold Play, and even Kate Perry ilk, composing country, power-pop, and arena rock that is engaging as well as entertaining.

• Album: The Incredible Machine (2010)
• Artist: Sugarland
• Label: Mercury Nashville
• Songs: (1) All We Are (2) Incredible Machine (3) Stuck Like Glue (4) Tonight (5) Stand Up (6) Incredible Machine (Interlude) (7) Every Girl Like Me (8) Little Miss (9) Find the Beat Again (10) Wide Open (11) Shine the Light