The Filipino band Sugar Hiccup may seem like they're trying to clone the Cocteau Twins, but the passion and artistry the group exhibits on Oracle belie any accusations of plagiarism. Sugar Hiccup certainly sounds like them, especially with their shimmering riffs and the ethereal vocals of Melody del Mundo; the band even stole their name from a Cocteau Twins track. However, what Sugar Hiccup has really taken from the band is a love for dreaming. The songs on Oracle don't always make sense; instead, like a dream, they conjure blurry, sometimes haunting, images. It's hard to tell what "Moden De" is about, but its fuzzy guitars and del Mundo's Sinead O'Connor-esque wailing don't need to be understood; they are already effective. "Mikaela" recalls Caterwaul, and "Heoowa" is the closest Sugar Hiccup gets to duplicating the Cocteau Twins' celestial glow. Nevertheless, Oracle's derivative moments doesn't diminish del Mundo's fiery, enchanting singing; her voice is the group's most potent instrument. On the unforgettable "Five Years," grim basslines and softly tapped drums surround del Mundo as she begins to hum. The music slowly builds up, and then she unleashes a speaker-shattering scream that is both frightening and sad, showing that even a dream pop band can have nightmares. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide
