Better Nature

{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Better Nature | type = studio | artist = Silversun Pickups | cover = Better Nature.png | alt = | released = {{start date|2015|9|25}} | recorded = | venue = | studio = | genre = {{flatlist| * Alternative rock * new wave * shoegaze }} | length = 51:06 | label = New Machine | producer = Jacknife Lee | prev_title = Neck of the Woods | prev_year = 2012 | next_title = Better Nature Revisited | next_year = 2017 | misc = {{Singles | name = Better Nature | type = studio | single1 = Nightlight | single1date = August 6, 2015 | single2 = Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) | single2date = September 11, 2015 | single3 = Latchkey Kids | single3date = September 30, 2016 }} }} {{Music ratings | noprose = yes | MC = 65/100<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/better-nature/silversun-pickups|title=Better Nature by Silversun Pickups|website=Metacritic |publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev1 = AllMusic | rev1Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/better-nature-mw0002861535|title=Better Nature - Silversun Pickups - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic|website=AllMusic |publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Absolute Punk'' | rev2Score = 8.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3733838|title=chorus.fm|publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev3 = ''Classic Rock'' | rev3score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loudersound.com/reviews/silversun-pickups-better-nature|title=Silversun Pickups: Better Nature|website=Classic Rock|last=Beaumont|first=Mark|date=19 February 2016|access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Consequence of Sound'' | rev4Score = C−<ref>{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2015/09/album-review-silversun-pickups-better-nature/|title=Album Review: Silversun Pickups – Better Nature|date=25 September 2015|publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Magnet'' | rev5score = {{rating|4|5}}<ref>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]</ref> | rev6 = ''The Music'' | rev6score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusic.com.au/reviews/silversun-pickups-better-nature-pete-laurie/SdNaXVxfXkE/18-09-15|title=Album Review: Silversun Pickups - Better Nature|website=The Music|last=Laurie|first=Pete|date=18 September 2015|access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Q'' | rev7score = {{rating|2|5}}<ref>Sadly, Better Nature is the sound of a band barricading themselves into their own comfort zones. [Apr 2016, p.115]</ref> | rev8 = ''Sputnikmusic'' | rev8Score = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/68693/Silversun-Pickups-Better-Nature/|title=Review: Silversun Pickups - Better Nature - Sputnikmusic|publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> | rev9 = ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' | rev9score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/shortlist-album-reviews-son-little-metric-linsey-pollak-heath-cullen-silversun-pickups-20151027-gkjyuw.html|title=Shortlist album reviews: Son Little, Metric, Linsey Pollak, Heath Cullen, Silversun Pickups|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|last=Mathieson|first=Craig|date=6 November 2015|access-date=14 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226171134/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/shortlist-album-reviews-son-little-metric-linsey-pollak-heath-cullen-silversun-pickups-20151027-gkjyuw.html|archive-date=2016-12-26}}</ref> | rev10 = ''Under the Radar'' | rev10Score = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/reviews/silversun_pickups_better_nature/|title=Better Nature|publisher=|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref> }} '''''Better Nature''''' is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-silversun-pickups-better-nature-announcement-20150715-story.html |title=Silversun Pickups announce new album, 'Better Nature,' will be released in September|newspaper=LA Times|author=Brendan Hornbostel|date=15 July 2015|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> and was released on September 25, 2015. It is the first of the band's albums to be released on their own label, New Machine Records; as well as their first to be supported by a Pledgemusic campaign. The album was announced on July 15, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1816252/silversun-pickups-announce-new-album-better-nature/news/ |title=Silversun Pickups Announce New Album Better Nature|publisher=Stereogum|author=Caitlin White|date=15 July 2015|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> The lead single for the album, "Nightlight," was released to radio on August 6, 2015. It was accompanied by a music video, directed by Mark Pellington and starring ''Boardwalk Empire'' actor Meg Steedle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/silversun_pickups_release_cinematic_video_for_new_single_nightlight |title=Silversun Pickups release cinematic video for new single, "Nightlight"|author=Brian Leak|publisher=Alternative Press|date=6 August 2015|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> The album's second single, "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)," was premiered via The Daily Beast on September 10, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/09/10/hear-a-new-silversun-pickups-track.html |title=Hear a New Silversun Pickups Track|publisher=The Daily Beast|author=James Joiner|date=10 September 2015|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref> An accompanying video, directed by Scott Weintrob, was released to YouTube and Vevo the following day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://diffuser.fm/listen-to-silversun-pickups-dreamy-new-song-circadian-rhythm-last-dance/ |title=Listen to Silversun Pickups' Dreamy New Song, 'Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)'|publisher=Diffuser.FM|author=Beth Kellmurray|date=11 September 2015|accessdate=25 September 2015}}</ref>

== Track listing == {{track listing | all_writing = Silversun Pickups | total_length = 51:06 | title1 = Cradle (Better Nature) | length1 = 5:20 | title2 = Connection | length2 = 4:34 | title3 = Pins & Needles | length3 = 4:42 | title4 = Friendly Fires | length4 = 5:28 | title5 = Nightlight | length5 = 4:52 | title6 = Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) | length6 = 3:50 | title7 = Tapedeck | length7 = 6:02 | title8 = Latchkey Kids | length8 = 3:42 | title9 = Ragamuffin | length9 = 6:00 | title10 = The Wild Kind | length10 = 6:36 }}

* The end of "Tapedeck" leads into "Latchkey Kids" (aka the end of "Tapedeck" is a studio session of "Latchkey Kids" that then transitions into "Latchkey Kids")

=== Vinyl track listing === <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.discogs.com/release/20405062-Silversun-Pickups-Better-Nature | title=Silversun Pickups - Better Nature | website=Discogs | date=2021 }}</ref> {{track listing | headline = Side A | total_length = 20:04 | title1 = Cradle (Better Nature) | length1 = 5:20 | title2 = Connection | length2 = 4:34 | title3 = Pins & Needles | length3 = 4:42 | title4 = Friendly Fires | length4 = 5:28 }}

{{track listing | headline = Side B | total_length = 14:44 | title1 = Nightlight | length1 = 4:52 | title2 = Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) | length2 = 3:50 | title3 = Tapedeck | length3 = 6:02 }}

{{track listing | headline = Side C | total_length = 16:18 | title1 = Latchkey Kids | length1 = 3:42 | title2 = Ragamuffin | length2 = 6:00 | title3 = The Wild Kind | length3 = 6:36 }}

==Charts== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col"| Chart (2015) ! scope="col"| Peak position |- {{album chart|Australia|22|artist=Silversun Pickups|album=Better Nature|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 2, 2015}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|16|artist=Silversun Pickups|rowheader=true|accessdate=October 6, 2015}} |- |}

==Personnel==

;Silversun Pickups

* Brian Aubert – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitars * Nikki Monninger – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (6), vibraphone (7) * Joe Lester – keyboards, synthesizer, sound manipulation, drum machine, sequencer, backing vocals (5) * Christopher Guanlao – drums, backing vocals (5)

;Additional personnel * Jacknife Lee – additional keyboards, mixing, production, programming * Alan Moulder – mixing

== Tour == {{Infobox concert | concert_tour_name = Better Nature Tour | image = | album = ''Better Nature'' | artist = Silversun Pickups | type = Concert | locations = | start_date = 10 September 2015 | end_date = 23 July 2017 | number_of_legs = [N/A] | number_of_shows = 152 shows }}

The tour for Better Nature started 15 days before the release of the album.

=== Setlist === <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/silversun-pickups-23d6445f.html?tour=3d4b5d3 | title=Silversun Pickups Average Setlists of tour: Better Nature | setlist.fm | website=setlist.fm }}</ref> <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.setlist.fm/stats/silversun-pickups-23d6445f.html?tour=3d4b5d3 | title=Silversun Pickups Tour Statistics: Better Nature | setlist.fm | website=setlist.fm }}</ref> Setlist won't count omissions due to the Sliversun Pickups' weird touring settings. # Cradle (Better Nature) (dropped after 22 April 2017) # Connection (played on 28 September 2015) # Well Thought Out Twinkles # Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings) (played on 10, 27, 28, 29 September 2015, 8 December 2015, 6, 9 May 2016, 23 August 2016, added on 23 April 2017, dropped after 4 May 2017) # Nightlight # The Royal We # Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance) # The Pit # Pins and Needles (played on 29, 30 September 2015, 25 April 2017) # Friendly Fires # Latchkey Kids # Panic Switch # Ragamuffin (dropped after 13 June 2017) # Vasoline (played on 5 December 2015) # Growing Old Is Getting Old (played on 6 May 2016) # Rusted Wheel (played on 26 April 2017) # Lazy Eye # Little Lover's so Polite '''[ENCORE]''' # Catch and Release (played on 10, 28 September 2015, added on 23 April 2017, dropped after 4 May 2017) '''[ENCORE]''' # Cannibal (played on 10, 27 September 2015, rarely played from December 2015 to April 2017) '''[ENCORE]''' # Substitution (played on 29 September 2015, occasionally played after April 2016) '''[ENCORE]''' # Three Seed (played on 14 April 2016, added on 25 October 2016, dropped after 5 May 2017) '''[ENCORE]''' # Kissing Families (occasionally played) '''[ENCORE]''' # Dots and Dashes (Enough Already) '''[ENCORE]''' # The Wild Kind (added on 27 September 2015, dropped after 5 May 2017) '''[ENCORE]'''

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:2015 albums Category:Silversun Pickups albums Category:Albums produced by Jacknife Lee