File Under: Easy Listening

Sugar File Under: Easy Listening (Rykodisc) If Sugar has a signature sound, it's frontman Bob Mould's punk-pop hybrids. In fact, File ups the ante on the melodic rhythms of its debut, Copper Blue, and makes a refreshing departure from the claustrophobic fury of 1993's Beaster. The one obvious nod to its edgier predecessors is the opening sizzler, ''The Gift.'' But lyrically, resignation-almost relaxation-takes the place of rage. Sugar's most engaging release yet; maybe the album title isn't so ironic after all. A --Mike Flaherty