Released: Apr 14, 2009
Genre: Indie Rock, Shoegazing
Label: Dangerbird
Number Of Tracks: 11
Swoon is the second album by Los Angeles indie rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Dave Cooley who had worked with the band on their first album, Carnavas.
Swoon
Reviewed by:
Boxiii, on april 14, 2009 3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: Ah, Silversun Pickups. If you heard their last album you know that it was one of those albums you popped in and relaxed to, with deep lyrics and soft melodic riffs that picked up every now and then. When you pop in Swoon for the first time, you know your in for a different ride. Faster guitar riffs, catchier lyrics, and a whole different presentation of the music show how much this band has grown since Carnavas. Songs such as There's No Secrets This Year and Panic Switch show the new, faster songs while Growing Old Is Getting Old and Draining have those slow, chill songs people grew to love, which let people enjoy the new while still getting some of the good old sound. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: One of the most impressive things about the band are the lyrics and how Brian presents them in each song. On the old album the lyrics gave a powerful impression, and the new album improves on that. With the more upbeat tone and the catchy flow, the lyrics stick more and you will see yourself singing to a few of these songs. The powerful lyrics mixed with the psychedelic music just makes the band stick, and none of the songs get boring. // 10
Impression: A lot of people compared the band to The Smashing Pumpkins, and I hope this album shows that they are their own type of music. The way they transitioned from Carnavas to Swoon is just so amazingly well done that you can't help but say hey, this band is going to be something big someday. Songs like Substitution and There's No Secrets This Year will keep you hooked, while the rest of the songs will keep you wanting more from this band. There is no disappointments in the album, it shows how much the band has grew and how much potential they have. If you don't buy this album you are totally missing out on a great band with a lot to offer. // 9
Swoon
Reviewed by:
Crackinskulls, on december 18, 2009 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: Swoon is the second full length album by alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The band incorporates keyboards, drums, bass and guitar into a indie/post modern rock sound. Often, they are compared to the Smashing Pumpkins sound on songs off their previous album, like "Lazy Eye" and "Drown" by Smashing Pumpkins. However on this album, they have changed their music to create a new sound for themselves. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: On the song "Panic Switch" the singer, Brian Aubert, sounds a little feminine and at times can transfix you more on his singing than on his lyrics or music itself. On the lyrics of another Silversun Pickups song, "Substitution", the lyrics meaning seems to convey abandonment issues with mixed feelings of remorse. In my opinion, on at least two of the songs the subject seems to be about a disorder or a psychological problem that the songwriter wrote about. All in all the music and lyrics fit well with one another. // 10
Impression: Silversun Pickups do compare to fellow indie artists like The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys; They also compare to alternative rock bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and Local H. Their album is also similar to albums like Stadium Arcadium by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Magic Potion by Black Keys, and Good News for People Who Love Bad News by Modest Mouse. Some of the best songs off the album are "Growing Old is Getting Old," "Substitution," and "Panic Switch." All of the three songs have fast chord rhythms, distorted guitars, and heavy bass lines. At times the music could be a little too overdone and for that unpleasant. Either way it is a strong and well crafted album for Silversun Pickups that promotes the great music they make. // 9
I haven't stopped listening to this album. I think it's definitely an improvement on their first. The faster heavier songs definitely show a different side to them but they've still kept the melodic drive in their music which made carnavas so good. Bring on a UK tour
i like it better than carnavas because musically i think it is easier to listen to because they lightened up on the lyrical complexity a bit. not that the lyrics are bad on any of the songs but it allows them to make better music. a good follow up to carnavas that shows gorwth in some areas but not a huge departure by any means.
so far im disappointed. When I first popped in Carnavas there were so many songs that just jumped out at me (Melatonin, Well Thought Out Twinkles, Little Lover's So Polite, Future Foe Scenarios and Lazy Eye). So far nothing has jumped out at me
I haven't stopped listening to this album. I think it's definitely an improvement on their first. The faster heavier songs definitely show a different side to them but they've still kept the melodic drive in their music which made carnavas so good. Bring on a UK tour
soo it dosent sounds like the smashing pumpkings
anymore?
I never bought the first album i liked the singles but nothing out of the ordinary,it just sounded way too much like SP
Brian has the strangest voice ever, It took me about 3 months to realize the bassist, Niki, wasn't usually singing, Brain was. He sounds like a chick, that being said "Lazy Eye" is one of my favorite songs ever, and "Panic Switch" is great, can't wait to hear this.
One of the best follow-ups to a great first album! Carnavas was very mellow and chill, but Swoon shows the more aggressive and "rock-harder" side of SSPU. Usually bands that have a very successful first album has a disappointing follow-up, but I was proven wrong and was glad to have been.
It took a while to get into this album. But after multiple listens, it blows Carnavas out of the water. The ideas, lyrics, guitar work, and just overall feeling of each song is wonderful. Even songs I don't like, like Growing old is getting old and The Royal We, do have there strong points. Overall a very good album
This album most definitely grows on you. I think you probably wouldn't be fit to write a review if you just listened to it once, it takes more than that to catch it all and fully appreciate it.
Bought this album yesterday along with an MGMT cd...the first cd of SSPU it took me a couple of throughs to get to love it as one of the best, i'm guessing the same will happen for Swoon....It does show their musical genius
Even though this album may not sound like carnavas... in the long run, wouldnt you like an album that shows a little change. personally i do. just how the smashing pumpkins did! one minute it was thrashing alt-rock guitars, the next, it was calm pianos and string arrangements. variety is good!
I really hope we get to see more from this band. Music this original and catchy is a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of the bands that have come out in the last few years.
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