Silversun Pickups - Better Nature - Vinyl Record 2LP

In 2015, one might question Billy Corgan as a musical role model, and Silversun Pickups seem to share this view. The Los Angeles alternative band has admired the grandiosity of Smashing Pumpkins, but in their fourth album, 2015's Better Nature, they adopt a more streamlined approach. While their melodies remain intact and the production still emphasizes big sounds, Brian Aubert's guitars take a backseat this time. Instead, Joe Lester's keyboards shine, and Better Nature boasts clean surfaces and '80s synth pop influences, enhanced by Jacknife Lee's lively production. With Nikki Monninger on bass and Christopher Guanlao on drums, the album retains its rock essence, but it’s the sequencers and keyboards that define it. This album hints that Silversun Pickups have shifted from one major influence to another, yet the grand production fits the songs well. The last three tracks—"Latchkey Kids," "Raggamuffin," and "The Wild Kind"—offer a grand finale justifying their strategic evolution. Better Nature implies an intriguing future for Silversun Pickups, and as for Billy Corgan—stay positive, you two had your moments.