Words: Ryan Getz

Silversun Pickups are one of those bands that just has an unmistakable sound. Ideally, this is something that every band should strive for. Few really accomplish this, however. With the distinct gender ambiguous vocals (for those who have never heard the band before), pop hooks interwoven into shoegaze, and an underlying groove that never really goes away, Silversun Pickups have found their niche and have cultivated a large following.

Carrying a large following means pressure. Bands who are trying to make a career, and have reached the level of Silversun, can afford to take some liberties with their sound. One step in the wrong direction can result in people whining about liking the old stuff better or, even worse, accusing the band of “selling out.”

Let’s make one thing clear. Better Nature is a more accessible album than the previous release Neck of the Woods. Usually that word “accessibility” spells doom with the die hard critics of certain bands in my circles. But when I saw my friend Corey Dickerson singing the praises of this record on Facebook I knew Silversun had hit a home run. A hunch at least. How accurate is my hunch? Let’s chat:

I spent the majority of the previous review I wrote (CHVRCHES ‘Every Open Eye’) discussing huge choruses. “Connection” might be the closest thing to an arena track I’ve ever heard from the band. And, of course, “Nightlight” is standard fare for radio ready singles from Silversun Pickups – sounding like a sequel to “Panic Switch.” “Friendly Fires” embraces the anthem formula with more versatility – that is, having a huge chorus without having a formula otherwise. The beginning of the track I’m anticipating a minimalist dark pop journey, while by the end we are somewhere between shoegaze and new wave, with Brian Aubert’s vocals at center stage.

Other songs showcase an ethereal tone, such as “Ragamuffin,” a six minute long epic that borders on being purely electronic. I’d be curious to see how this song is interpreted live on the drums. Despite the long length of the song, it is alluring enough that it kind of draws you in, and before you know it the song is winding down. Even awesome songs have a tendency to feel long at times (listen to Mutemath’s “Burden” to see what I mean) and “Ragamuffin” doesn’t fall into this category.

Better Nature is a monster of a record. Undoubtedly some diehard fans of Silversun Pickups will be caught by surprise in terms of its accessibility, but we don’t find the band compromising musical prowess for popularity.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/220163329″ /]

Score: 4.4/5

Silversun Pickups: iTunes