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Swoon
by
Swoon Image
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 55 Ratings

  • Summary: The second album for the Los Angeles indie-rock band was produced by Dave Cooley.

Top Track

Panic Switch
Time is never worth my time Moonshine bleeds into my eye I still sleep on the right side But the white noise can't leave the scene behind Could I be... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    90
    Swoon is a bit of a dying whale of a record. In a good way; vast, dark, a little mysterious, sad, dignified and palpably in pain.
  2. Filter
    80
    Heavier, headier, and roaring with a kind of rock assault unimaginable from its first, the band lays it all on the table from the get-go. [Spring 2009, p. 91]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Sputnikmusic
    80
    It's intimate, accessible, and--Pumpkins comparisons aside--fairly unique in today's scene. What more could one ask for?
  4. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    The fuzzed out riffage and ethereal interludes are in place, but Swoon lacks the diverse textures, clever lyrics, and emotional depth that the Pumpkins honed over a 10 year span. And this is as it should be.
  5. The Guardian
    60
    They sound more attractive, though, when they excercise a little restraint, as on 'Substitution:' less dramatic, but less contrived, too.
  6. Pitchfork
    53
    Swoon ultimately delivers the exact same results as its predecessor mostly because it's written in nearly the exact same way. The problem all along for the Silversun Pickups isn't that they sound too much like the Smashing Pumpkins. They just sound way too much like themselves.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    30
    Even a past-it Smashing Pumpkins ‘reunion’ with only Corgan remaining is more acceptable than this awful mimickery and that’s not a good place for a band to be.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. michaelkmadsen
    Feb 13, 2014
    10
    The Puckups, well, pick up a lot of flack for sounding like Gish-y Pumpkins, but this album has an atmosphere- a density- that calls to mind aThe Puckups, well, pick up a lot of flack for sounding like Gish-y Pumpkins, but this album has an atmosphere- a density- that calls to mind a Kevin Shields production. Still, solid songwriting and the ability to manipulate mood really shine through the dense sonic fog. "The Royal We" is our favorite track, but "Panic Switch" gets the most attention, perhaps for its urgent delivery. Overall, Swoon tastefully serves up a well-balanced tracklist, leaving the listener full after 51 minutes of flavor. Producer Dave Cooley seems to be the secret ingredient as evidenced by the lack of flavor in SSP's Cooley-free third album. So, don't write reviews when you're hungry, but do pickup this album and listen all the way through.… Expand
  2. NoLeaning
    Aug 19, 2010
    10
    This album changed the way I look at life. Brian Aubert performed strong vocals and the rest of the band completely blew me away with theirThis album changed the way I look at life. Brian Aubert performed strong vocals and the rest of the band completely blew me away with their instrumentals.… Collapse
  4. blisss
    Jun 11, 2011
    10
    This is the best album ever! The vocals are great! The songs are amazing and well written! The cd is pure gold and the only cd (not countingThis is the best album ever! The vocals are great! The songs are amazing and well written! The cd is pure gold and the only cd (not counting metacritic cause i rate it different on here) that ive given a 10… Expand
  5. JamieW
    Apr 14, 2009
    9
    What a surprise, Pitchfork talking bollocks again. 'They sound too much like themselves'? Is that supposed to be a sniggering dig What a surprise, Pitchfork talking bollocks again. 'They sound too much like themselves'? Is that supposed to be a sniggering dig at the band or is it meant to have weighty, intelligent meaning? Either way, it's an embaressingly written summation.… Expand
  6. AlexV
    Apr 14, 2009
    9
    A wonderful piece of art that is unique in its own way. Silversun didnt try to make an over the top album, they made a dark, mysterious, A wonderful piece of art that is unique in its own way. Silversun didnt try to make an over the top album, they made a dark, mysterious, powerful album with Brian Aubert's (vocalist/lead guitarist) high voltage and innovative guitar playing and the rest of band playing just as hard. Then it becomes a delicate and quiet sound. A bold album that will grow on you just as Carnavas. 9/10… Expand
  7. MattN
    Apr 19, 2009
    8
    A gorgeous album. Great continuation of the Carnavas sound with some new layers. The addition of an orchestra to tracks is great, if a little A gorgeous album. Great continuation of the Carnavas sound with some new layers. The addition of an orchestra to tracks is great, if a little overdone in places. It's let down by the order of the songs, the best ones are all in the first half. Not an immediate album, but a real grower that gets under your skin.… Expand
  8. Vampire25
    Dec 17, 2010
    8
    Silversun Pickups have this distinct way of playing music that I have never heard any other band play. The guitar sounds so different and I'veSilversun Pickups have this distinct way of playing music that I have never heard any other band play. The guitar sounds so different and I've never heard a guitar sound the way it does until I heard this album. It's pretty neat. But anyways, Swoon is a pretty good album. Every song is catchy and the rock and roll single "Panic Switch" is one of the best rock songs I've ever heard. Brian Aubert has a great voice and it sorta sounds like Billy Corgan. All In All, Silversun Pickup's "Swoon is a worthy album and I recommend it. B+… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Most Shared Album of 2009

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