Silversun Pickups Neck Of The Woods Review

*Silversun Pickups return for their 1st album since 2009. Is it any good?

I tend to lament the lack of heavy rock now offered in the 2000’s/2010’s, etc. I vented about this in my first ever blog post. Younger folks may claim that there’s just too much nostalgia for 90’s alternative rock, but there just isn’t much to compare it to these days. Most modern music sounds thin, placid and meek. Rock seems in short supply. There’s a huge vacuum here that needs to be filled…and quickly.

Enter the Silversun Pickups, who for the past few years have been a sight for sore eyes (ears), calling to mind the heyday of the Smashing Pumpkins as well as bands of the dream pop genre such as My Bloody Valentine. This repeated comparison cause agitation for some of their fans, and surely that of the band (although isn’t their name a bit telling? Smashing Pumpkins/Silversun Pickups? Having the same initials seems a clear homage to me).

Wearing your influences on your sleeve is not a crime in my eyes and it’s often an endearing trait. And I’m so goddamned desperate to hear some heavy rock riffs I’ll forgive a touch of plagiarism.

This is what makes their new album Neck Of The Woods such a pleasantly unexpected surprise. Sure those influences still exists, but it’s becoming less obvious, and the band is evolving further into their own entity.

This album seems much darker in tone than earlier releases and that for me is a good thing. It sounds like lead vocalist/lyricist/guitarist Brian Aubert had a long dark night of the soul and it’s paying in sonic dividends.

“Skin Graph” starts off in the already established, Silversun formula; skittering percussion and understated verses followed by fast and raging choruses. It’s very catchy and gets things rolling.

“Make Believe” follows and it’s jittery rhythm and chiming guitars feel at once comforting and cold.

“Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)” the first single is imminently catchy and perhaps the lightest thing on the album. I was expecting something a bit heavier from the song title, but it’s a solid song nonetheless. I like the meshing of the guitars with the oceanic undertones provided by Joe Lester’s keyboards.

“Busy Bees” is a slow build in the best sense of the word. It’s clear buoyant vocals and musical style calls to mind another Pumpkin’s devotee, M83. It’s clipped trebly guitars come to a satisfying crash at the songs conclusion.

“Here We Are Chancer” ventures into more electronic territory; dance beats, sparse arrangement, and a chilling, isolationist atmosphere. Perhaps they’re inspired by Pumpkin’s electronic bent which came into focus on ‘Adore’? If that sounds cynical on my part, it matters not, because it’s a lovely song, full of romantic drama. The same for ‘Simmer’ an amply titled slow burner fraught with frenetic guitar and heartbeat percussion which builds to an epic chorus.

When ‘Mean Spirits’ kicks in, it’s wonderful, and it’s the heaviest thing here. This perfectly encompasses the loud/soft dynamics of 90’s Alternative rock, with a kick ass riff that blasts off in the chorus. When Aubert sings “I love to play and sing along” I concur. This is truly infectious stuff.

“The Pit’ is another standout. It sounds very remicicisent of New Order, with bassist Nikki Monninger taking a page from the Peter Hook playbook. (Speaking of the Pumpkins and New Order, check out this awesome collaboration  from New Order’s 2001 Album “Get Ready”. A inspiration for this song perhaps?). This also has the name nervy push of the Pickup’s hit “Panic Switch” off their last album “Swoon”.

I LOVE the bass line on “Dots and Dashes (Enough Already)”. It sounds very gothic and propulsive and provides a great hook.  This song is all about the tiresome exercise of second guessing and soul-searching, typified by lyrics like “I’m already bored, I’m already wise”, “I’m already wondering, what am I?”.

The musicianship on this album is solid, complimented by the alternating bombast/control of drummer Chris Guanlao, and the electronic textures of  Joe Lester. I believe Lester is the secret weapon for this band, and this album in particular. He creates great ambient swaths of atmosphere which helps layer their soundscapes. And Aubert’s guitar skills are perfectly suited for his band. He’s not a virtuoso but he knows about dynamics and tone. Donnigher’s bassplaying is equally adept. And the production by Jacknife Lee (u2, REM) is solid.

I also want to give Aubert points for improving his vocal delivery. Like Corgan, he’s prone to whiny singing. This is kept more in check on this release and he seems to have more control over his delivery and range. It makes this album all the more pleasing, especially on the tracks where he and Donnigher share vocal duties.

The album closes with the rocking one-two punch of “Gun-Shy Sunshine” and “Dots and Dashes”, in the vein of the heavier tracks off “Swoon”, “Pikul” and “Carnavas”.

‘Neck Of The Woods’ isn’t going to light the world on fire with originality but in an era where aggressive and compelling music is in short supply, it’s a welcome listen and perhaps their best release. Hopefully, more bands will follow their lead so we can get out of this dull indie rock slump which currently gives me audio indigestion. Please!

*Bottom line; If you like the Silversun Pickups, I think you’ll enjoy this release and appreciate their progression on Neck Of The Woods. And if you liked any of the other bands I’ve name checked you may have found your new favorite band. Give it a listen.

My Rating [rating=5]

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