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Review Summary: Taking the edge off There are many instances where a band decides to switch up their style. Sometimes the change of style is a welcome one and turns out to be extremely successful. Sometimes bands go through experimental phases where they test out many different ideas, some that work well and others that don't. Sometimes the change is a complete failure that disappoints almost the entire fan base. With Silversun Pickups' latest album, Better Nature, the change the band decides to undergo is quite the conundrum because it doesn't completely fall into any of these categories. The only certainty with this album is that a change has indeed occurred.
When I think of Silversun Pickups my mind instantly goes to a couple of words; fuzzy, nostalgic, and shoegaze-esque. Instead of trying to describe their sound, describing the feelings I get when listening to their music is much more effective. My mind instantly goes to cool summer nights with a hint of longing. I look back at my life even though SSPU really has only been a part of my life for a couple of years. The ability of their music to make me feel these things is a powerful attribute. When I first heard Better Nature in its entirety I instantly bashed it for not being like their older music. Where are the distorted guitars? Where are the fast paced songs? Why am I not getting any feelings from this album? While some of these questions are still valid criticisms to the album (which I will get to later), I realized that it was completely unfair of me to judge an album because it didn't have all of the elements I wanted the album to have. So I went back and listened to the album a couple more times and I discovered that many songs still evoked those fuzzy warm feelings of nostalgia, I just had to listen to the album with an open mind.
Many songs on this album are extremely successful despite the obvious changes the band has undergone. The opening track Cradle (Better Nature) is a prime example of this. The whole song is aggressive, energy packed, and actually really catchy. It's dominated by synths and an electronic feeling, but Brian's guitar is still present within the song, which is evident when the guitar breaks through for a rare solo. The chaotic nature of the chorus is pure bliss and is sure to have your head bobbing. A second impressive track is Latchkey Kids, another rare semi-upbeat song on the album. Brian's vocal really shine through on this track and the melodies of the song are bound to haunt your head after a few listens. The closer of the album, The Wild Kind, is a brilliant one and is the epitome of successful experimentation for SSPU. The song builds upon itself with layers of synths, distorted guitars, and catchy bass-lines. Although it never breaks into an extremely intense climax, the song is monumental and magnificent, a perfect closer to the album. With these three tracks I instantly get that old feeling that SSPU was able to produce without the presence of distortion and guitar heavy riffs.
The main problem with the album can't really be found within any specific song. Sure there are some lackluster songs on this album like Friendly Fires and Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance), but the problem really lies within the album as a whole. There is an obvious lack within diversifying tempos and alternating dynamics throughout the entire album. Every song on this album is basically the same tempo, which unfortunately makes listening to it in one sitting somewhat boring. It also blends many songs into each other, which, in this case, isn't necessarily a good thing. The dynamics are also very stable which adds to the dullness of the album as a whole. There are certain songs that have brilliant climaxes (Tapedeck specifically), but overall the album stays very stationary.
Despite the flaws, Better Nature is a respectable release from a band who has prided itself in consistency and uniformity between album releases. There was an obvious need for the band to break out of its own mold, and this album is certainly not a failure in that regard. It lacks certain pieces that possibly could've made this album a complete success, but it exhibits the promise of a future album that just may put all the pieces together.
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Album Rating: 4.0
This is my third review and honestly my toughest one because there were so many things I wanted to talk about. The album officially was released today so I held off on submitting this until now. Any criticism is welcome!
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review reads pretty good to me. I gotta say carnavas is one of my favorite albums and im kinda weary to jam this now.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I agree Carnavas is my favorite album as well! This album really is decent just listen to it a couple times before fully judging it. It is off putting after the first listen because of how different it is from their older stuff but it's definitely a grower and it still has that signature SSPU sound to it
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Not entirely sure how I feel about this yet. I've listened to it three times in full now, and there aren't many moments that really jump out at me like in past SSPU albums, but really like it as a whole. Neck was definitely a huge grower for me, so hopefully this will be too. Good review.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Thanks and yeah Neck was a grower for me as well but the lack of any diversity between songs really makes it hard to rank it above any other SSPU albums so far...
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
It took awhile, but I do like it better than Swoon, tbh.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Swoon and Neck are like tied for me. Mean Spirits and Skin Graph are insanely good songs honestly
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
And yeah Nightlight is a great track @Futures hopefully you'll enjoy the rest of the album!
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Loved Nightlight, and loving it so far, especially "Pins & Needles". This band rules.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Yeah Pins & Needles gives off a really cool Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings) vibe i enjoy it.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Early standouts are definitely Pins & Needles, Latchkey Kids, Cradle, Connection, and Nightlight.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off
Cradle is incredible. It's a shame this album loses all its steam after the second song. Ragamuffin is awesome as well.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Pretty good on first listen, probably a high 3.5/low 4, same as the rest of their stuff. "Consistent" is the name of the game here; fewer standouts than Carnavas or Swoon, but the bad tracks aren't as bad. I do agree with Red that the album is front-heavy, but I don't think it starts flagging until after Nightlight. Wild Kind is a really nice closer, though.
Biggest turn-off on this thing for me is that Nikki's got a great voice, but IMO, Circadian's merely an OK track.
Better than Neck, worse than Carnavas, either tied or slightly below Swoon.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
@Cynical yeah I completely agree with you but the latter half of the album seriously isn't that bad. Latchkey Kids and Tapedeck are standouts that bring the energy back up after a lackluster middle of the album. Also I totally agree Nikki has amazing vocals that couldve been so cool in Circadian but the song literally goes nowhere and is boring to listen to after you've heard it a few times.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Tapedeck is really growing on me.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Last 5 songs are all amazing
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
I like Tapedeck's foundation, but as of right now I don't like that fuzz section in the middle; I don't think it gels with the rest of the track. Maybe it'll grow, though.
Good: Cradle, Pins and Needles, Friendly Fire (the builds remind me a bit of Rusted Wheel, and I friggin' love Rusted Wheel), Nightlight, Wild Kind
Meh: Connection (though I can see why Depreche fans would like it), Circadian, Tapedeck, Latchkey, Ragamuffin (don't feel like the bridge around 4 mins. in...well...bridges.)
Bad: Nothing.
Leaning towards a 4. Probably will need a couple more listens tomorrow.
Oh, and because I'm an idiot who forgot to mention this in the previous comment, good review, Con. Have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
Really disappointing so far from the first go through. "Tapedeck" is by far one of the best tracks they have recorded, but I wish the rest of the track was like how it opens. The distorted part seems out of place, but I can see what they were trying to do here. I have to give it another try since for me, the music sounds lazy at times.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
where did the band that wrote all those terrific songs on carnavas and swoon go?
this is really lethargic
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
The softer edge definitely holds this back from so many things, but it's not like the songs aren't inventive or immersing. This gets better as it goes on, and tracks 5-10 are almost perfect.
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