| Widow's Weeds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | June 7, 2019 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 47:50 | |||
| Label | New Machine Recordings | |||
| Producer | Butch Vig [1] | |||
| Silversun Pickups chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Widow's Weeds | ||||
| ||||
Widow's Weeds is the fifth studio album by American rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was released on June 7, 2019 through the band's own imprint, New Machine Recordings.
On April 11, the album was announced to coincide with the release of the album's lead single, "It Doesn't Matter Why." It was also announced that Butch Vig would be producing the album, marking their first collaboration. [2] In choosing Vig as the producer, bassist Nikki Monninger said "he really listens to each band member, and he puts a great value on each individual and what they can add to the music." She also noted that making the album "was very collaborative with him. He’s such an easygoing person, and he put everybody at ease." [3]
Brian Aubert described the album as being recorded while being in a personally dark spot in life, which prompted him to seek sobriety during the gap in the studio sessions. [3] Aubert said that this has an effect on the record, although he says it's more focused on the changes of life rather than the sadness of life. Aubert told Rolling Stone that Widow's Weeds "does have a mourning vibe, but it’s not sad. It’s change." Aubert further explained that the album is about "growing up and moving on and letting go of things. And it’s OK to be sad about those things and mourn them. It’s actually healthy to do so and take the time to do it. At the end of the day, it’s going to be much better and much more fulfilling when you get through it." [3]
In describing the album, Aubert notes it is a "more open, exposed album" compared to their previous efforts. [4] [5]
The first single, "It Doesn't Matter Why" came out on April 11, 2019. [3] [2] [6] Paste described "It Doesn't Matter Why" as having "underlying sense of anxiety and nihilism coursing" throughout the track. [7] The music video came out on April 11, 2019, the same day as the single itself was released. The video features the band and various actors and dancers becoming increasingly self-aware of their bodies, before letting the limbs of their bodies overtake them with their own consciousness. The video was directed by Suzie Vlcek. [8]
On May 8, 2019, the band released a second single, entitled "Freakazoid". [9]
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | 63/100 [10] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [11] |
| Consequence of Sound | C+ [12] |
| Pitchfork | 4.9/10 [13] |
| Slant Magazine | [14] |
Widow's Weeds holds a rating of 63 on Metacritic, indicating generally favourable reviews. [10] In a positive review of the album, Slant Magazine writer Graham Kervin stated that "the album presents a band brimming with reclaimed confidence and vitality, one that need no longer take refuge behind endless waves of feedback and sonic distractions." [14] The album was also praised by Allmusic's Neil Z. Yeung, who called it "one of Silversun Pickups' most emotionally satisfying and cathartic listens." [11] William Ruben Helms of Consequence of Sound was critical of the album, stating that while "it finds the band at their most self-assured with the cleanest, most polished sound of their career," it also feels "rushed, unfocused, hollow, and, worst of all, forgettable." [12] In a negative review, Pitchfork writer Zoe Camp derided the band as being "a little big, a little brooding, but mostly boring," adding that the album is made up of "mid-tempo snoozers that are over-refined, hermetically sealed, and safe." [13]
Loudwire named it one of the 50 best rock albums of 2019. [15]
All tracks are written by Silversun Pickups
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Neon Wound" | 5:38 |
| 2. | "It Doesn't Matter Why" | 4:08 |
| 3. | "Freakazoid" | 4:49 |
| 4. | "Don't Know Yet" | 4:24 |
| 5. | "Straw Man" | 3:04 |
| 6. | "Bag of Bones" | 4:58 |
| 7. | "Widow's Weeds" | 5:17 |
| 8. | "Songbirds" | 5:04 |
| 9. | "Simpatico" | 5:18 |
| 10. | "We Are Chameleons" | 5:10 |
| Total length: | 47:50 | |
Silversun Pickups
Additional personnel [16]
| Chart (2019) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Albums (ARIA) [17] | 24 |
| US Billboard 200 [18] | 83 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [19] | 2 |
| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard) [20] | 5 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard) [21] | 12 |
Bryan David "Butch" Vig is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the drummer and co-producer of the alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of the diamond-selling Nirvana album Nevermind. His work on the latter earned him the nickname the Nevermind Man.
Garbage is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin. The band's line-up—consisting of Scottish singer Shirley Manson (vocals) and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig —has remained unchanged since its inception. All four members are involved in the songwriting and production process. Garbage has sold over 17 million albums worldwide.
Silversun Pickups is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles that was formed in 2000. The band is composed of Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester.
Carnavas is the debut studio album by alternative band Silversun Pickups. It was released on July 25, 2006. "Carnavas" is a surname from the Greek side of lead guitarist and vocalist Brian Aubert's family. Some suppliers were also given copies of The Tripwire Session: Live in Chicago, a four-track EP.
Pikul is the debut EP from the Silversun Pickups, released on Dangerbird Records in 2005. The album includes 16 untitled tracks after "...All the Go Inbetweens", all of which are about 44 seconds long each, concealing a hidden track at the end. The album name comes from the nickname of a friend of the band who died, and to whom the album is dedicated. The name is commonly pronounced "Pickle", but the correct pronunciation is "pie-kull".
"Lazy Eye" is the first single from Silversun Pickups' debut album Carnavas, written by lead singer and guitarist Brian Aubert. The band performed the song on the Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Later With Jools Holland, and Last Call with Carson Daly. The song is a playable track on Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour.
"Well Thought Out Twinkles" is a song by American rock band Silversun Pickups. The song was released as the third single from the band's debut album Carnavas, peaking at no. 9 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Swoon is the second full-length studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups, released through Dangerbird Records on 14 April 2009. The name of the album comes from a line in the outro of the first track "There's No Secrets This Year."
"Panic Switch" is a song by the American alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. It was the first single released from the group's second album, Swoon (2009), on March 17, 2009. The song reached number one on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, becoming their first number-one single on any Billboard chart. "Panic Switch" was the first song by an independent artist to reach number one on the chart in 11 years. After a one-week stay at number one, it spent 11 weeks at number two behind Linkin Park's "New Divide". It is also their first Hot 100 entry, peaking at number 92.
"Seasick" is a single by the American alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The single was released in a 10" vinyl record format on November 25, 2011 for Record Store Day's "Back to Black Friday" event through Dangerbird Records. A digital version was released on December 13, 2011. The single's A-side and two B-sides are previously unreleased tracks that were originally recorded during the Swoon sessions.
Neck of the Woods is the third studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee and was released on May 8, 2012, through independent label Dangerbird Records. Lead single "Bloody Mary " was released via the band's official YouTube channel on March 25. On May 2, 2012 MTV Buzzworthy posted a full stream of the album online.
"Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings)", often referred to as just "Bloody Mary", is an indie rock song performed by American alternative rock music group Silversun Pickups. The song was written by Silversun Pickups, and produced by Jacknife Lee. It serves as the lead-off single to their third studio album, Neck of the Woods, which was released on May 8, 2012. The song reached the top ten of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in May 2012, peaking at number seven in June.
American alternative rock band Silversun Pickups has released six studio albums and 19 singles.
"The Pit" is an indie rock song performed by American alternative rock music group Silversun Pickups. The song was written by Silversun Pickups, and produced by Jacknife Lee. It serves as the second single from their third studio album, Neck of the Woods, which was released on May 8, 2012. The song reached the top five of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart in March 2013, with a peak of number three.
The Singles Collection is a compilation album by the American alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. It was released on February 25, 2014 through Dangerbird Records in North America. The album was released on regular digital and CD formats and includes one new song, "Cannibal". A limited edition vinyl box-set contained six 7-inch records and an additional extra track "Devil's Cup" originally from the Swoon album sessions.
"The Chemicals" is a stand-alone single released by alternative rock band Garbage for Record Store Day 2015. The song is the first track recorded by the band during sessions for their sixth album to be released. "The Chemicals" features Brian Aubert on co-vocals. Drummer Butch Vig described "The Chemicals" as "a very dense Garbage track".
Better Nature is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee, 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. 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. The album's second single, "Circadian Rhythm ," was premiered via The Daily Beast on September 10, 2015. An accompanying video, directed by Scott Weintrob, was released to YouTube and Vevo the following day.
Strange Little Birds is the sixth studio album by American rock band Garbage. It was released on June 10, 2016, through the band's own record label, Stunvolume. It is their second independent album release, and follows 2012's Not Your Kind of People. The album's press release describes Strange Little Birds as "a sweeping, cinematic record of a unified mood: darkness".
Freakazoid! is an American cartoon television series that aired on Kids' WB from 1995 to 1997.
Physical Thrills is the sixth studio album by American alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. It was released on August 19, 2022, and was their second album to be produced by Butch Vig and their third album to be released on their own label, New Machine Recordings.
