Silversun Pickups

“Swoon”

Crunching guitars that almost squeal in pain, bass hooks that reel you in, drums that take over the beat of your heart, all with the soothing voice of Brian Aubert to tie together to a very well-rounded sophomore effort for the Silversun Pickups.

“Swoon,” released April 1, is SP’s follow up to their debut release, “2006 Carnavas.” SP may not have come out of the gates full force in its first attempt but it definitely put a little hustle in its get-up-on. There are tracks like “Little Lover’s So Polite” that drag the first couple times, but after a few rotations, it will have you wanting to go on a road trip just to sing along. On other tracks such as “Panic Switch” and “Growing Up,” you slip back into the buzz of the ’90s grunge with the fuzzy guitars that wrap you up in a warm, beautiful blanket of noise.

There are a couple dips that might have you skipping to the next track to keep up with the theme of “Swoon,” but as SP continues to find its voice, you will be pleasantly surprised to hear how much it has matured.

Grade: B+

The Color of Violence

“Youthanize”

Simply put, this is a side project that should definitely remain a side project. Travis Richter and Derek Bloom (both members of the band, From First to Last) seem to be two musicians that have way too much noise going on in their heads. “Youthanize,” the first release by the Color of Violence, is like an unsafe carnival ride that will have you hurling up that six-day-old churro that you ate just before stepping aboard.

With band members that go by stage names like Guy Nucleosity (Richter) and Glitch Killgasm (Bloom), it’s clear that it’s a band that is all about fun. Guy rips ferociously on the guitar as he screams bloody murder over the microphone, while Glitch tries his hardest to hit a hole through each skin on his drum kit as fast as he can.

You would of thought with the talent of these two musicians that you would be treated to a little bit of ear candy. Instead tracks like “Go Gave Me Deeze Nutz” is just painful to listen to and “Large Hardon Collider” leaves you confused about what exactly it is that you’re listening to.

Bottom line, the record pulls you in too many directions that leave you sorry that you ate that stale churro.

Grade: C-

Pastor Troy

“Feel Me or Kill Me”

I don’t feel him nor do I wish to kill him. Pastor Troy’s 10th CD release sounds just like what you might expect from an artist with nine albums already under his belt, regurgitated. There is nothing that stands out on this new release and sounds a lot like what you’ve heard him release before.

Troy has his own style that is clever with word play and taking any word, giving it more syllables than thought possible. “See the Swag on that Boy,” featuring Mr. Mudd, is a track that tries hard to be an anthem, but falls short when hearing the generic, fast tempo drum track that is laid down behind keyboard induced horns. “All I Know” and “Heaven is Below” are tracks that you are almost impressed with. You start to hear about his relationship with God and deciphering between what is right and what is wrong, but again distracted by over-used drum tracks.

His distinct style will always stand out and the talent is definitely there, but there is nothing on this album that will keep you listening to it unless it’s background music at a house party, and there’s nothing left to listen to. His talent and ten years worth of followers are what keep him on the map. But if he doesn’t put out something fresh soon, you might see this pastor at church more often than on stage.

Grade: C