I have only recently, within the past four months, begun listening to SSPU and I have to say: "Love 'em!!!" I get the comparisons to Smashing Pumpkins. Indeed, I would hazard a comment that SSPU have embraced the Gish/Siamese Dream era of the Pumpkins wholeheartedly. But I ask you: Is that a bad thing? I've missed that sound so much. The soft, scared vocals occasionally venturing into the tortured wail of the forlorn and not the reverse (which is what I disliked about the change in SP's sound between Siamese Dream and Melon Collie). Anyone can scream into a microphone over blaring guitars, and indeed today that seems to be the norm more often than not. But to be able to create delicate textures vocally over a dense backdrop requires the ability to restrain. To build until the tension is palpable. Then release it at the right time. That's songcraft... Everyone rips off someone these days. The trick is to sound as good or better than those you are "borrowing" from. I think that SSPU has succeeded in this area, and I am looking forward to the new album.
Reviews
Lane said on June 28, 2008:
I have only recently, within the past four months, begun listening to SSPU and I have to say: "Love 'em!!!" I get the comparisons to Smashing Pumpkins. Indeed, I would hazard a comment that SSPU have embraced the Gish/Siamese Dream era of the Pumpkins wholeheartedly. But I ask you: Is that a bad thing? I've missed that sound so much. The soft, scared vocals occasionally venturing into the tortured wail of the forlorn and not the reverse (which is what I disliked about the change in SP's sound between Siamese Dream and Melon Collie). Anyone can scream into a microphone over blaring guitars, and indeed today that seems to be the norm more often than not. But to be able to create delicate textures vocally over a dense backdrop requires the ability to restrain. To build until the tension is palpable. Then release it at the right time. That's songcraft... Everyone rips off someone these days. The trick is to sound as good or better than those you are "borrowing" from. I think that SSPU has succeeded in this area, and I am looking forward to the new album.