One thing I have noticed about myself is that I like music with texture. What do I mean when I say this? I mean that I like music that you can feel, both on a physical (auditory) and emotional level. I'm not talking about bumpin' dance music. that takes the fun out of the texture, I'm talking about weaving and intricate music. A prime example of this is the new album, Swoon, by the Silversun Pickups. In their second full album, the pickups have taken the same formula from their first album, Carnavas, reworked the material into new tracks, and gotten a few upgrades typical of a sophomore album. On the surface, the album is a solid second attempt, but the album can do a number on you if you let it. Unfortunately, I did.
One reviewer I saw compared the entire to a beached whale. Yea, out come the metaphors. This description is right on track for the mood of the album. Follow these emotions: you go out on the beach after hearing haunting shrill moans. It is sometime past midnight as your feet hit the cool sand. You are forced to walk some distance before you come to the dark, looming figure that you now recognize as a whale. This is what Swoon is like... it is dark, mysterious, sometimes brooding, and majestic. Despite some of the altrock tracks, the album as a whole maintains this mood. The title track is an exception. It kicks off with a few guitar licks and a catchy verse hook. The 3rd track embodies that dark mood. Its bass line and shimmering guitars break out into guitar fuzz near the end. The 5th track has already received considerable airplay. "Panic Switch" is the perfect soundtrack to a bad trip (go ahead, click the link for my definition). It's a sort of schizo track, but well crafted and compelling. The album kinda drops off after "Panic Switch" but still maintains a good listen. Of particular interest is "Draining", "Sort Of", and "Catch and Release".
The one drawback of the album lies in the fact that the volume, dynamics, and overall production of the softest track is not much less than that of the loudest track. The Pickups have garnered many a comparison to the Smashing Pumpkins and the one thing that separates the two is that for every slow song the Pumpkins had, there was a robust one. All of the songs on Swoon maintain the consistency of overcooked cabbage. But again, the lack of truly alive "tracks" per se is what gives rise to what i like: a collection of musical textures. Though Swoon lacks in the epic album department, it wins in the department of well crafted alternative rock.
Final Grade: 68
Vocals/Lyrics: 13
Music: 14
Production: 13
Creativity: 15
Value (Was it worth the listen?): 13
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