After touring their collective butts off for over three years behind debut EP Pikul (2005) and the ensuing debut record Carnavas (2006), Los Angeles foursome Silversun Pickups found themselves being rewarded with critical praise, a couple of hit singles and an expanding fan base drawn to its rocking yet atmospheric dream pop sound.
For a band with only a couple of EPs and records out, Silversun Pickups have already mastered the art of studio recording and production, with the help of Dave Cooley and mixer Tony Hoffer. Their Carnavas songs had a healthy amount of depth and repeat-worthy material (“Rusted Wheel,” “Three Seed,” and “Lazy Eye” being among them). The same team of musicians and producers helmed its follow-up Swoon (Dangerbird Records). Although there is arguably more layers of sound on the new album, the difference between it and the first record is that this new effort is just a few truly captivating songs short of being a truly great record.
Before the review itself goes any further, setting the record straight is in order here. SSPU may use Siamese Dream-like levels of distortion and fuzz on their records, but comparisons to the Smashing Pumpkins are overstated and in fact, should be minimal. Bandleader Brian Aubert is flattered by the comparison but has told the media over the last couple of years (myself included) he never really understood it and didn’t listen to early Pumpkins material until well after Carnavas garnered critical praise and was made aware of such a comparison.
The band is instead more influenced by the master of over-distorted guitars Kevin Shields/My Bloody Valentine, along with Secret Machines and Sonic Youth. FYI, one of the main reasons Siamese Dream has the overloaded guitar sound it has is because the Pumpkins dug MBV and its mixer Alan Moulder so much they hired him to mix the now classic alternative rock record.
Thus, anyone who still insists SSPU are or were influenced by the Pumpkins frankly has no idea what they are talking about. Carnavas never truly did sound like Siamese Dream. It just so happens that this group has brief similarities to the Windy City alt-rock legends here and there – “Lazy Eye” at times perhaps has a tiny weenie bit of “Quiet” in it.
Likewise, Silversun Pickups’ new album has maybe just one Pumpkins-esque song as well, the opener “There’s No Secrets This Year,” which has chord progressions mid-song that sound like a sped-up version of the early Billy Corgan/James Iha b-side “Plume.” Other than that, it’s hard to pick up other obvious influences on the record, though thick, Kevin Shields-type guitars can still be heard at times, as on album closer “Surrounded (Or Spiraling)”.
Article comments
1 - Triniman
Nice review. I'm going to see them in Winnipeg. When I heard that they were coming here, I checked out some of their music online, became an instant fan, bought tickets and just bought Swoon and Carnavas. Can't wait for the show.