Silversun Pickups Issue #29

Carnavas (Dangerbird)

By Callye Morrissey
Published: September 1st, 2006 | 12:00am

According to guitarist-vocalist Brian Aubert, Los Angeles’s Silversun Pickups were unceremoniously formed when Aubert met bassist Nikki Monninger on a plane to England. Her knack for stealing miniature liquor bottles from the stewardess drew Aubert in, and years later, after learning how to play their instruments, the band would be formed.

Strangely enough, for an indie band's full-length debut, Silversun Pickups sound like seasoned pros. Like any good novel, Carnavas begins slowly, but steadily picks up enough momentum to keep one interested. Suddenly, the plot thickens and grabs you — the distorted Sabbath-ish riffs on "Well Thought Out Twinkles" throw you off since the band is at its best with starry, spacey songs such as "Lazy Eye" and "Rusted Wheel." Aubert's effeminate vocals wind around the wrenching guitars in perfect harmony, never losing speed. The album's best chapters are "Little Lovers So Polite" and "Lazy Eye." It's a shame the band begins the album with the mediocre "Melatonin," a repetitive bummer that is outshined by the tracks that follow it.

With Carnavas, Silversun Pickups are headed toward indie stardom.