Silversun Pickups certainly jumped in popularity with this, their second album `Swoon`.
‘Carnavas’, the first album from 2006 peaked at 80 on the Billboard chart. `Swoon` debuted at no. 7.
Mind you, they did have a rather high profile launch for this record. It was immediately before Metallica at SXSW thanks to a clever placement from manager Cliff Burnstein who also manages Metallica.
Cliff also scored his band a decent pre-promo placement with two tracks from ‘Swoon’, ‘Panic Switch’ and ‘There’s No Secret’s This Year’ on Guitar Hero: World Tour. That deal was obviously done in his Guitar Hero: Metallica negotiations.
Silversun Pickups draw their influence from Smashing Pumpkins, far too much unfortunately. This may turn out the be a great band one day, but right now they are still in Xerox mode with the Pumpkins. Singer Brian Aubert sounds like he is mimicking Billy Corgan’s vocal template, minus the venom. Corgan is a much more powerful performer.
As a band, Silversun Pickups likewise sound like they are trying to play these songs like the Pumpkins would play them. They really need to develop their own style. Hey, ‘Mellon Collie’ was a fine album too. We all loved it, but they don’t need to copy it. On ‘It’s Nice To Know You Work Alone’, I’m torn between what a great track it is but at the same time it totally lacks originality.
I saw Silversun Pickups at SXSW this year. The Pumpkins influence wasn’t so obvious live. ‘There’s No Secret This Year’ could have been on the Pumpkins last album ‘Zeitgiest’ but then you drop down to ‘Catch & Release’ and Aubert’s guitar work is channeling Nirvana. He was around 12 or 13 when ‘Nevermind’ and ‘Gish’ impacted, so its not really a surprise. However, every other 29 year old isn’t sounding like the first band he or she loved, so there is room for Aubert and friends to evolve.
With Burnstein behind this band, people will notice and they have. Minus the Cliff Burnstein backing, I doubt we would be paying this much attention to Silversun Pickups right now.
Don't get me wrong. This is a very good album. The one ingredient it lacks is originality, but that is a fairly major ingredient. If you like Smashing Pumpkins, you may like this album. If you don't like the Pumpkins, don't bother.
Track Listing
1. There's No Secrets This Year
2.àThe Royal We
3.àGrowing Old Is Getting Old
4.àIt's Nice To Know You Work Alone
5.àPanic Switch
6.àDraining
7. Sort Of
8.àSubstitution
9.àCatch And Release
10.àSurrounded
