Lackluster pop

Silversun Pickups’s sophomore album, “Swoon,” is a product of powerful distorted guitar riffs, some funky bass lines and lackluster lyrics.

And in case you were wondering, this indie alt-rock band from Los Angeles got its kick ass name from a liquor and convenience store near their house.

The band received a fair amount of well-deserved praise after its 2005 EP “Pikul” and the full-fledged 2006 album “Carnavas.”

This year’s “Swoon” carried the band in a slightly new direction without jeopardizing its original sound.

The rage present in lead singer Brian Aubert’s vocals feels like it is now channeled into powerful guitar riffs.

It’s a great thing when bands merely reorganize the elements already present in their sound to produce a new album. This way, something is present with which the listener can still connect.

Overall, “Swoon” seems to have a higher production value than the band’s previous work, somewhat surprising given its release on the small label Dangerbird Records.
“Panic Switch” is the standout single on “Swoon” – crisp and spacey guitar riffs trailing a wall of distortion along with a sick repetitive bass line being laid down by Nikki Monninger.

The rest of the album has its moments, but nothing too memorable to mention.

There is only one underlying problem with “Swoon,” or maybe the band in general – Brian Aubert’s voice.
“To vomit just a little in your mouth, then re-swallow” is one definition of “swoon” posted on Urban Dictionary.

I’m reminded of such an experience when considering Aubert’s voice. It’s somewhat comparable to those of Billy Corgan. However, Aubert sounds feminine – and annoying. Interestingly enough, both bands also have a cute female bassist.

To grossly generalize, Silversun Pickups shed the part of them that sounds like The Pixies and picked up something that sounds like Smashing Pumpkins – if Billy Corgan was an emo girl.