User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Negative: 2 out of 17
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  1. Sep 29, 2015
    8
    A highly enjoyable album. I am always amazed by how much creativity Silversun Pickups put into their music. The nature theme resonates with me and Aubert's voice still brings chills. While the tempo holds steady throughout the album, the diversity in songwriting is surprising to me. As long as they have that signature sort of dark groove I've come to love, I'll stick around.
    Favorites:
    A highly enjoyable album. I am always amazed by how much creativity Silversun Pickups put into their music. The nature theme resonates with me and Aubert's voice still brings chills. While the tempo holds steady throughout the album, the diversity in songwriting is surprising to me. As long as they have that signature sort of dark groove I've come to love, I'll stick around.
    Favorites: Connection, Nightlight, Ragamuffin.
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  2. Dec 19, 2015
    10
    A fantastic album that continues the electronic/industrial touches in Neck of the Woods. It continues NOTW's destruction of the idea that SSPU need to sound anything like the Smashing Pumpkins/My Bloody Valentine hybrid they first became known as, and makes a real case for them as one of the best and most underrated indie rock bands out there. They refuse to become stagnant, insteadA fantastic album that continues the electronic/industrial touches in Neck of the Woods. It continues NOTW's destruction of the idea that SSPU need to sound anything like the Smashing Pumpkins/My Bloody Valentine hybrid they first became known as, and makes a real case for them as one of the best and most underrated indie rock bands out there. They refuse to become stagnant, instead perpetually moving forward and trying new things. And they succeed with flying colors here. Highlights include "Cradle (Better Nature)," "Tapedeck," "Latchkey Kids," and "The Wild Kind." Expand
  3. Dec 4, 2015
    10
    10/27/2015: After 25 listens, it still grows on you and better each time!
    Update 11/10/2015: Still listening everyday! And now my favorite song is Ragamuffin, previously were Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) and Nightlight. Connection, Pins And Needles, Tapedeck and Latchkey Kids are solid and growing on me as well. I've been listening to SSPUs since finding Kissing Families on the
    10/27/2015: After 25 listens, it still grows on you and better each time!
    Update 11/10/2015: Still listening everyday! And now my favorite song is Ragamuffin, previously were Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) and Nightlight. Connection, Pins And Needles, Tapedeck and Latchkey Kids are solid and growing on me as well. I've been listening to SSPUs since finding Kissing Families on the Dangerbird website in 2005. My other favorite bands are; Blue October, Radiohead, The National, U2, Muse, AC/DC...
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  4. Nov 1, 2015
    5
    A pretty good album from an amazing band. Over the years they've given us some awesome albums. Swoon and Carnavas were weird, trippy cds. I enjoyed listening to their sound evolve and wondered where they'd head next. I saw this was streaming on Pandora Premiers the week before its release and I gave it a shot. The first two songs are awesome and almost sound like they came from the bandA pretty good album from an amazing band. Over the years they've given us some awesome albums. Swoon and Carnavas were weird, trippy cds. I enjoyed listening to their sound evolve and wondered where they'd head next. I saw this was streaming on Pandora Premiers the week before its release and I gave it a shot. The first two songs are awesome and almost sound like they came from the band Mew, After that the album kinda fades into very boring, monotonous tracks. Some were almost interesting like "Tapedeck," but then I grew annoyed of it by the end of the song. Overall, after the first two tracks, this album loses a lot of steam, but the good news is those two tracks (Cradle and Connection) are some of the best songs you'll hear this year. Expand
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 19, 2016
    40
    Sadly, Better Nature is the sound of a band barricading themselves into their own comfort zones. [Apr 2016, p.115]
  2. 70
    It’s Silversun Pickups rolling up their blazer sleeves, plumping their shoulderpads and cruising out of Silver Lake, LA with a fourth album that buzzes like pink neon and rolls like convertible wheels on steaming tarmac.
  3. 70
    Better Nature tows the fine line between artistic and product and walks the right side quite well.