LogFAQs > #976363909

21. Silversun Pickups Neck of the Woods
Indie Rock, Alternative Rock, Dream Pop, Shoegaze, Indietronica
2012
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/user_image/5/9/6/AAeDEnAAE4Zs.jpg

@Isquen

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7RnYvwyQ4LxyKyt5lpACOcsovOVU8Siu

1. Mean Spirits
2. Make Believe
3. Simmer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCiYX-iC0Hk

I only know one song from this band, and its on this album (The Pit), and I liked it enough to bookmark it a few years ago. Lets see how the rest holds up!

Skin Graph opens with a nice instrumental before the singer (Brian Aubert) steps up to the mic. I forget how unique his voice is. Very androgynous, smoother than Id expect from a rock outlet. This is a great opener, a nice, full sound that shows off what to (presumably) expect: catchy hooks; power rock with quieter moments (or maybe its quiet rock with power moments?); drone-like guitars. Its a little overlong but thats okay. Color me intrigued.

Nice 7/8 meter in Make Believe. This is a moodier piece. The band is on the prowl. I get the impression of wandering around a dimly lit forest, watching for wolves.

The album reminds me of a 90s throwback so far Im seeing comparisons to the Smashing Pumpkins, who happen to be one of my favorite bands (you got lucky on that, Isquen!). So overall Im vibing with the music. Three songs in and nothing has stuck out as an all-time favorite yet Id describe the album as competent more than enjoyable but its been good so far.

Its a bit hard to believe that Bloody Mary, which Im not enjoying at all, was apparently released as a single over the previous three songs? (Also wow is that singles collection album cover triggering.) By Here We Are (Chancer), Im reconsidering the Pumpkins comparisons this feels way moodier than your standard Pumpkins big production sound. I like the backup vocals on this track from Nikki Monninger, who also plays bass; she shines over top of Auberts singing at times, and at other times they play off each other. The drumming from Christopher Guanlao is also pretty solid in this track. Mean Spirits finally presents a more uptempo rock number; I find myself more drawn to these tracks, which might just be the mood Im in but is also probably because theyre, well, more engaging to listen to! Mean Spirits is just a fun rock song. Sometimes thats all you need! This is the first song on the album I would conceivably save onto a playlist.

As soon as Mean Spirits ended, I relistened to it. I dont know if, 32 albums in, Ive done that with a song yet. O_O I would unironically (for perhaps the first time in my life) refer to that song asgulpa banger.

That guitar riff from Simmer sounds like Life Will Change from Persona 5 lol. Another energetic song, this one is a mix between the moodier, slower songs and the faster paced ones. SSPU (Super Smash Pickups) are very consistent with their sound. Now that Im into the second half of Neck of the Woods, Im more into their style, especially, as I said above, the more energetic tracks. (Edit spoke too soon! There are a few slower songs in the back that I dont like as much)

The Pit, as I said above, is the only song from this band I knew prior to today. AndI dont think it holds up to some of the rest of the album! Its probably the highlight of the slower-paced songs for me, but I wonder how much of that is familiarity. Either way it doesnt hold a candle to Mean Spirits.

Out of Breath, last of the album, does a Simmer-like riff at the beginning that grounds me in the song. I love songs that have little elements like that, little catchy riffs that permeate throughout. As Skin Graph leads us into the albums world with a mix of fast and slow in anticipation of whats to come, Out of Breath takes us out on a high note, inviting us to come back later. The song ends on a mysterious note:

When all the pioneers are gone
And all thats left are unresolved
Out of step opinions
Its life or death once more

But you say the word and I will come
With overbearing clouds of warmth
Out of breath but not alone

I think I interpret this as SSPU telling their fans, life can be shitty but youre not alone, say the word and well come running. I dont know if thats meant to be taken from the POV of the band/Aubert or if its a fictional POV, but its a compelling note to end on, a sort of sense of hope that life might just get better. I didnt adore this album but I found a lot to comment on and gravitate toward. In the end, sometimes thats okay; sometimes its enough to find little moments you enjoy. Sometimes its enough to say the word and open yourself to things, to know youre not alone.