Two big sounding indie rock releases today. Let's get right to the fun!
Silversun Pickups are a indie rock group from Los Angeles who have a shoegazing sound and lead singer who sounds like a less scruffy version of Billy Corgan. Swoon is the band's second full length album, released today on Dangerbird Records. Carnavas was released in 2006.
The mood is set right off the bat with the opening track, "There's No Secrets This Year". The instant awesomeness of this rockin', electromagnetic tune grabs your ears and wakes you up from your slacking slumber. However, the last minute or so of the 5 min, 33 second song slows down the pace in favor of an elaborate string-filled outro. Songs like "The Royal We", "It's Nice To Know You Work Alone", and "Panic Switch" (the lead single) continue the musical function of Swoon: hit 'em with that opening force of guitar and energy and groove throughout the duration, adding string instrumentation along the way. I also dig chill groove jam, a la Smashing Pumkpins, "Substitution". Critics of Swoon will say the formulaic nature and drawn out melodies of the album distract you from what you first may have liked about Brian Aubert's unique vocal stylings and forceful guitar work backed by Nikki Monninger's harmonic vocals and groovilicious bass. They may not be wrong. Only a few songs "fit" here; when your shortest track comes in at 4:39, you better bring supply something that keeps your interest in the remaining tracks. Swoon may swoon in that department. It's a respectable second effort, but sophomore slump is the right label IMHO.
Silversun Pickups are a indie rock group from Los Angeles who have a shoegazing sound and lead singer who sounds like a less scruffy version of Billy Corgan. Swoon is the band's second full length album, released today on Dangerbird Records. Carnavas was released in 2006.
The mood is set right off the bat with the opening track, "There's No Secrets This Year". The instant awesomeness of this rockin', electromagnetic tune grabs your ears and wakes you up from your slacking slumber. However, the last minute or so of the 5 min, 33 second song slows down the pace in favor of an elaborate string-filled outro. Songs like "The Royal We", "It's Nice To Know You Work Alone", and "Panic Switch" (the lead single) continue the musical function of Swoon: hit 'em with that opening force of guitar and energy and groove throughout the duration, adding string instrumentation along the way. I also dig chill groove jam, a la Smashing Pumkpins, "Substitution". Critics of Swoon will say the formulaic nature and drawn out melodies of the album distract you from what you first may have liked about Brian Aubert's unique vocal stylings and forceful guitar work backed by Nikki Monninger's harmonic vocals and groovilicious bass. They may not be wrong. Only a few songs "fit" here; when your shortest track comes in at 4:39, you better bring supply something that keeps your interest in the remaining tracks. Swoon may swoon in that department. It's a respectable second effort, but sophomore slump is the right label IMHO.Another indie rock sequel came out courtesy of Canadian electro rockers, Metric. The fearless foursome new wavers just released their fourth studio album, Fantasies, via Last Gang Records. Previous albums include Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (2003) , Live It Out (2005), and Grow Up and Blow Away (released in 2007 but originally recorded some time after the band formed in the 1998). Since 2006, I have grown to discover and love Emily Haines and the boys for their mix of synthpop, indie rock, and electronica. Fantasies brings a pop rock feel with it, but not in a way that is totally off base from their previous efforts.
Tracks like "Sick Muse", "Satellite Mind", and "Gold Guns Girls" continue the catchy, upbeat rockin' nature for which Metric is known. "Twilight Galaxy" contains that synthy groove present on previous albums. Lead single, "Gimme Sympathy" IS more mainstream poppy in nature. In it, Haines asks the eternal question: "Who'd you rather be: The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?". The answer for Metric might be "neither"; the band is quite content being who they are. The last jam on the album, "Stadium Love", sounds like an arena rock anthem for the indie music genre.The gem of the album is the opening track, "Help I'm Alive". Metric started promoting this song late last year as it helped to hype up a vinyl release to help raise money for charity when it was leaked by overseas manufacturers. Radio stations around the world and in their own native Canada picked it up and began playing it on-air. The song took off and Metric became yet another victim of leaked material. No matter though - the group embraced the early sneak peak at Fantasies and recorded an acoustic version of "Help I'm Alive", available for free download at their website. The album version is smooth, electro rock performance featuring the sweet and delicate, yet powerful and forceful vocals of Emily Haines. The acoustic version highlights her voice even more.
Check both of the new releases out today!
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