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Better Nature
by
Better Nature Image
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

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Top Track

Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)
Another night alone, temporary dream I came in through your window, sleep-walkin' Standing arm and arm, still so out of reach There's nowhere left to... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Oct 1, 2015
    85
    At the very least, Better Nature represents 10 more (well, 9 if you don’t count “Ragamuffin”) well-crafted and heartfelt songs to listen to for the next 2-3 years before they put out another unbelievably consistent record.
  2. Magnet
    Oct 14, 2015
    80
    Engaging and alluring as this fresh coat of cool on an easily recognizable sonic vehicle maybe, Better Nature nonetheless remains an album destined to placate--not trip out--fans. [No. 125, p.61]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Sputnikmusic
    Sep 29, 2015
    70
    What Silversun Pickups have done is settle into a sweet spot. It might not sit well with everyone involved, but it takes nothing away from what this is: a gorgeous if slightly safe album that proves this band hasn’t lost their edge when it comes to making captivating music.
  4. AllMusic
    Sep 29, 2015
    70
    Better Nature suggests Silversun Pickups have an interesting future ahead of them as their sound evolves, and as for Billy Corgan--hey, buck up, buddy, you and the Pickups had a good run for a while.
  5. Classic Rock Magazine
    Feb 19, 2016
    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.
  6. Under The Radar
    Sep 29, 2015
    65
    In the end, Silversun Pickups don't seem too interested in proselytizing anyone on Better Nature. It's a release for the already convinced; if new converts come on board, it's a bonus.
  7. 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]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 9 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Cobweb
    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 SSPUA 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
  2. dawixson
    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    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...    … Expand
  4. KriticalChaos
    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 meA 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.    … Expand
  5. BrushedRed
    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. IA 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

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