Silverskin Pickups, Noisettes, Mono

New releases by Noisettes and Mono are among this week's CD reviews.

Silversun Pickups: Swoon (Dangerbird)

If you're looking for comparisons to this LA quartet, think of the epic overdriven guitar sounds of Smashing Pumpkins and My Bloody Valentine or, in more recent times, the sonic rock of Doves, Yeah Yeah Yeahs or White Lies. This appropriately-titled offering builds on the promise of the band's 2006 debut Carnavas with a brooding, dynamic and melodious sound. The songs are utterly sublime and the string arrangements provide perfect accompaniment to the band's trademark distortion. ****

Noisettes: Wild Young Hearts (Vertigo)

In an age where the delightful Florence and the Machine can win a Brit Award, it's heartening to hear the new release from London trio Noisettes. Their debut was awash with punkish esprit and bluesy rock but this is more refined. Wild Young Hearts harks back to the days of blues and jazz greats, fusing those sounds with a soulful, dizzy disco beat. There are galloping grooves, 60s-tinged soul and shimmering pop along the way. Think Deborah Harry fronting the Ting Tings and you're halfway there. ***

Mono: Hymn To The Immortal Wind (Conspiracy)

Thoughtful, eclectic, romantic and epic: these are just a few of the adjectives that describe Mono's sumptuous 10th anniversary release. Their trademark wall of noise sound crashes against a formidable chamber orchestra that incorporates strings, flutes, organ, piano, tympani and glockenspiel. Hymn. . . is intimate and haunting, it's the sound of a masterfully mature band at the peak of its powers. Here's a few more words to describe it: dissonant, vivid, incandescent and gorgeous. *****

Reviews by Andy Richardson