I Want Sugar All The Time: A Sweet Slice of 1971 Rock Nostalgia
Let’s get one thing straight—Blowtorch wasn’t messing around when they dropped I Want Sugar All The Time back in ’71. This is the kind of album that makes you wanna crank up your stereo, air-guitar like nobody’s watching, and maybe even shout at your cat for no reason. It’s raw, it’s unapologetic, and honestly? It’s a little bit messy—but isn’t that what rock ‘n roll is all about?
The record straddles two worlds: hard rock grit meets pop-rock charm, which somehow works better than you’d expect. Produced by Billy Meshel and Chris Welch (who also lent their talents to writing), this sucker was released under Paramount Records, giving it just enough polish to shine without losing its edge. And let me tell ya, vocalist Buddy Randell absolutely owns every track with his raspy pipes—you can practically hear him sweating through the mic.
Now, onto the good stuff—the songs themselves. First up, we’ve got the title track, “I Want Sugar All The Time.” If there’s one tune from this LP that sticks in my brain like gum on a hot sidewalk, it’s this one. The riff slaps harder than your annoying buddy who always steals fries off your plate. Brad Baker’s arrangement gives it a swagger that feels both timeless and totally stuck in the groovy vibes of the early ‘70s. Plus, those lyrics? Pure sugar-coated rebellion. You don’t need a PhD in poetry to get it—it’s catchy as hell and doesn’t try too hard to be anything else. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Then there’s “C’mon And Get It,” another banger that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Austin Roberts penned this gem (yep, he wrote most of side B), and it’s got hooks sharp enough to hang meat on. There’s something about the way Buddy belts out the chorus—it’s desperate but fun, like begging someone to pass the last slice of pizza before it’s gone forever. The guitar solo halfway through is pure fire, too. I mean, who needs dessert when you’ve got licks like these?
What really strikes me about I Want Sugar All The Time is how unpretentious it feels. These guys weren’t trying to reinvent the wheel—they were just having fun making music. Sure, some parts sound dated now, but that’s part of its charm. Listening to it feels like finding an old Polaroid photo tucked inside a book—it’s not perfect, but it tells a story.
Here’s the kicker though: Blowtorch never blew up into household-name territory after this album. They fizzled out faster than a soda left open overnight. But hey, isn’t that kinda beautiful? For every mega-famous band hogging the spotlight, there are hidden gems like this floating around, waiting for curious ears to rediscover them. So next time you’re scrolling Spotify looking for something new yet familiar, give I Want Sugar All The Time a spin. Trust me, it’ll hit the spot.
Oh, and if anyone asks why you're suddenly obsessed with obscure '70s rock albums, just say you've got a sweet tooth for great music.
