Silversun's new album croons to Swoon

Artist - Silversun Pickups
Album - Swoon
Released - April 14, 2009 (Dangerbird Records)

Still heavy on the fuzz, distortion and encapsulating frenzy, Silversun Pickups lavishly delivers their second full length album on Dangerbird Records after a lengthy three year absence.

Following an extensive tour in support of their acclaimed debut Carnavas, the band would come home to neglected relationships with friends and families; although supportive, they would better serve as inspiration for a new album, Swoon.

“We were landing on charts in countries I’d never been too, like Chile and all over South America. Things were changing fast.” Brian Aubert, vocalist and lead guitarist said.

Since their 2006 debut, Silversun Pickups have grown into a tightly focused band encompassing a genre often stagnant in the last few years. Their sound remains trademarked by a murky fuzz heavy guitar accompanied by vocal chord annihilating serenades by Aubert.

Silversun would take Swoon and build a darker and more thematic album, far more diverse and encompassing than its predecessor. From the opening track, There's No Secrets This Year, the band utilizes a formula of melodic songwriting and layered tracking to construct a soaring sound.

The first single, Panic Switch, is chaotic and deliberate as Aubert’s vocals conquer heavy bass lines and the wall smashing drum work of Christopher Guanlao. Brilliantly layered amidst a slew of fierce musical pairings and shrewdly distorted riffs, melody is never lost and remains inherent within every moment.

It's Nice to Know You Work Alone, a makeshift duet between bassist Nikki Monniger and Aubert, makes use subtle drops in tempo to build a mood altering atmosphere - often paying homage to nineties rock deities such as the Smashing Pumpkins and Sonic Youth.

Adding to Aubert's aesthetic vocals and turbulent lyrics, the band eagerly incorporates an entire string section to parts of the album. Now, instead of only passionate melodies stitching atmosphere into a blanket of moodiness, a string section intensifies the feeling of insurgent emotion.

Growing more articulated and mature, Silversun Pickups discovers a beauty within their own abstract melody. Topping off their second album with an avalanche of musings and a swelling of talent, they never stray far from the streets from which they got their name for inspiration, Silver Lake and Sunset Boulevard.

www.myspace.com/silversunpickups