Review: Silversun Pickups - "Swoon"

Check out my video review of Silversun Pickups' Swoon below.



Silversun Pickups
Swoon
Dangerbird Records
April 14, 2009

Pros: SSPU is back with more shoegaze-meets-alternative jams. Fans of Carnavas should find a lot to like about Swoon. It has both the arena-ready anthems ("Panic Switch," "The Royal We") and turn-the-lights-down jams ("Growing Old Is Getting Old"), both of which we saw in Carnavas. Borrows heavily from The Smashing Pumpkins.

Cons: Borrows heavily from The Smashing Pumpkins. Not enough shoegaze-inspired guitars for my liking. Carnavas is much more exciting. Swoon feels bland, too extra smooth, almost boring at times. Lacks a certain energy and instant likability that Carnavas had.

Bottom Line: Fans of SSPU should find lots to like here. Though it fails to live up to Carnavas, Swoon is a great record worth your money and many listens. But don't get your hopes up. New fans should most definitely start with Carnavas. If Siamese Dream was The Smashing Pumpkins' break-out record after an okay but not spectacular Gish, Silversun Pickups have reversed the formula. Whatever the case, still expecting gold from SSPU's Mellon Collie equivalent.