LA Briefs: Silversun Pickups, Beck, Marvelous Toy, The Deadly Syndrome

[Photo cred: The Color Awesome]

+ MTV Unplugged is back - and we think this is a good thing. Silversun Pickups recently taped a session. Check out this performance of "Growing Up is Getting Old" - it sounds lovely:

+ I know everyone has already covered this, but it is certainly worth a mention from us. You know, when you've figured out how to live off you're art, there's two things you can do - hit cruise control and pad your bank account or try and innovate. Thankfully, Beck chooses the latter, as evidenced by the bevy of projects turning up on his new website. The new blog-like website has been introducing a bunch of new features - Record Club (where Beck and friends re-record entire albums), Planned Obsolescence (continuous mixes of whatever Beck is listening to); and Irrelevant Topics (where Beck interviews people like Tom Waits). Check out this clip of Beck covering "Venus In Furs" from The Velvet Underground and Nico:


+ The Deadly Syndrome will open for Lykke Li on August 4.

+ Joe Fielder from Radio Free Silverlake has been talking up Marvelous Toy for a while, and it seems like everyone else is starting to catch on. Check out this review from Loudvine:

In a city that offers so much and takes so much from so many, listen to Marvelous Toy, and you are reminded what an amazing band Marvelous Toy is. The fact that they can move and inspire through their music, reminds me how lucky I am to live where I do.

New and Used Will's Picks: Leonard Cohen, O+S, Silversun Pickups

Weekly music picks from the founder of New and Used Records...

Live in London, Leonard Cohen
I went and saw Leonard Cohen last week and it was pretty much one of the best shows I have ever seen. Whether you are eager to relive your Cohen experience (as I was), or if you did not have a chance to see him, Live in London is the perfect substitute. The set is virtually equivalent to what I witnessed - even the banter is the same. My one complaint is the inexplicable exclusion of "Famous Blue Raincoat," though aside from that, most classics and a number of new songs are showcased. The professionalism and sheer talent of Cohen's band shines through, as does his vocal power and surprising range. The Webb Sisters absolutely perfect harmonies on "If It Be Your Will" are a highlight. Despite one of being the all-time greatest songwriters, Cohen knows when to step back from the spotlight as well. His class and professionalism as a performer should be duly noted by anyone with musical aspirations.

O+S, O+S
We were fortunate to catch O+S at the Hotel Utah last week, when Kid Mud served as an opening act (Great Northern headlined the show). The band was new to us, but we were quickly taken in by their collage of sounds and hushed melodies. The album is a collaboration between Azura Ray's Orenda Fink and Remy Zero's Cedric LeMoyne. The two recorded their debut (shipping now from Saddle Creek) with a host of musicians and a gang of found sounds ("Haitian rituals, street noises or whatever," says LeMoyne) turned into loops. The album is at times dark, and at times simply lovely, but really like nothing else out there right now.

"Permanent Scar" - O+S (mp3)
"We Do What We Want To" - O+S (mp3)

Swoon, Silversun Pickups
The trend in indie these past few years has certainly leaned more toward the lo-fi. The big production sound that defined much of the nineties (Silversun Pickups' heroes Smashing Pumpkins for instance) has been less of a presence. Some of this is for good reason - listening to the recent work of the Smashing Pumpkins, Coldplay, or U2 is enough to make anyone want to steer clear of a big sound. But where others have failed, Silversun Pickups succeed. The Silverlake quartet have an arena-friendly sound, but the melodies never get lost in the process. Tracks like "Panic Switch," "The Royal We," and "It's Nice to Know You Work Alone" are instantly memorable, proving that big production does not have to mean sacrificing songcraft.

Video: Silversun Pickups - "Panic Switch" (live at Rasputin, Berkeley, CA)

Video: Silversun Pickups - "Lazy Eye" (live at Rasputin, Berkeley, CA)

Video: Silversun Pickups - "Panic Switch"(live at the Glasshouse, Pomona, CA)

Swoon - the new album from Silversun Pickups is out today on Dangerbird. Read reviews at Buzz Bands and Classical Geek Theatre.

Video: Silversun Pickups - "Panic Switch"

[Via Rock Insider]

Video: Silversun Pickups - "Panic Room" (live)

"Panic Room" is the first single from the Silversun Pickups' forthcoming album, Swoon. The song is quite fabulous, and this video simple does not do it justice.