silversun pickups

[Dangerbird: 2009]
Put your fingers in your ears if you are a Silversun Pickups fan before we say this sentence... In the past the Silversun Pickups have been criticized for ripping their texture and riffage from 90s rock outfits - particularly The Smashing Pumpkins.... and we agree that perhaps they've borrowed a lot from alternate 90s rock gods. HOWEVER
Swoon is sure to silence the heretics as its well constructed guitar soundscape, instrumental interludes and thought-provoking lyrics come together to produce a remarkably distinct and damn good final product.
Sprouting from the centre of LA’s Silver Lake indie rock scene (where they borrowed their name from a local convenience & liquor store) which has at various times been called home by Elliott Smith, the Eels, Jane’s Addiction, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Tom Waits - it is little wonder that the Silversun Pickups have found significant local and international recognition.

Swoon, recorded in their own studio called The Dark, is the Silversun Pickups second full-length album after building a dedicated fan base with their debut release, Carnavas. A well designed matching is Brian Aubert’s undeniably effeminate lead vocals with Nikki Monniger’s husky backup vocals about which even Aubert’s admits, “I know what we were doing when we wrote it, and I hear my voice, and I'm like, "Oy, who's that guy? He sounds like a chick."

'There's No Secrets This Year', 'Growing Old is Getting Old' and 'Panic Switch' are the high points of the album, featuring layered arrangements and epic guitar solos. 'There's No Secrets This Year' explores some complex thoughts on relationships with lyrics like, “let's make this perfectly clear, there's no secrets this year, lay your head down rest your feet, I'll blow you kisses while you sleep and when I know you’re safe and dreaming, my escape plan's in full swing. Who would know all the reasons you're a bore, because the seeds were planted firm right here, let the branches tear it all apart”.

'Catch and Release' impresses with a beautiful orchestral arrangement and the 'The Royal We' grabs your attention with stunning dynamics throughout the song.

At times it can be difficult to tell the songs apart as the sound seems to mesh into one solid form. One the whole, however, Silversun Pickups have done well to produce a solid album with a instantly recognisable sound - who doesn't love a little bit of 90s?

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