Better Nature Explained

Better Nature is the fourth studio album by Los Angeles alternative rock band Silversun Pickups. The album was produced by Jacknife Lee,^[1] 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.^[2] 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.^[3] The album's second single, "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)," was premiered via The Daily Beast on September 10, 2015.^[4] An accompanying video, directed by Scott Weintrob, was released to YouTube and Vevo the following day.^[5]

Track listing

• 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

^[6]

Reception

Better Nature received mostly positive reviews.

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

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

Setlist

^{[7] [8]} Setlist won't count omissions due to the Sliversun Pickups' weird touring settings.

1. Cradle (Better Nature) (dropped after 22 April 2017)
2. Connection (played on 28 September 2015)
3. Well Thought Out Twinkles
4. 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)
5. Nightlight
6. The Royal We
7. Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)
8. The Pit
9. Pins and Needles (played on 29, 30 September 2015, 25 April 2017)
10. Friendly Fires
11. Latchkey Kids
12. Panic Switch
13. Ragamuffin (dropped after 13 June 2017)
14. Vasoline (played on 5 December 2015)
15. Growing Old Is Getting Old (played on 6 May 2016)
16. Rusted Wheel (played on 26 April 2017)
17. Lazy Eye
18. Little Lover's so Polite [ENCORE]
19. Catch and Release (played on 10, 28 September 2015, added on 23 April 2017, dropped after 4 May 2017) [ENCORE]
20. Cannibal (played on 10, 27 September 2015, rarely played from December 2015 to April 2017) [ENCORE]
21. Substitution (played on 29 September 2015, occasionally played after April 2016) [ENCORE]
22. Three Seed (played on 14 April 2016, added on 25 October 2016, dropped after 5 May 2017) [ENCORE]
23. Kissing Families (occasionally played) [ENCORE]
24. Dots and Dashes (Enough Already) [ENCORE]
25. The Wild Kind (added on 27 September 2015, dropped after 5 May 2017) [ENCORE]

Notes and References

1. News: Silversun Pickups announce new album, 'Better Nature,' will be released in September. LA Times. Brendan Hornbostel. 15 July 2015. 25 September 2015.
2. Web site: Silversun Pickups Announce New Album Better Nature. Stereogum. Caitlin White. 15 July 2015. 25 September 2015.
3. Web site: Silversun Pickups release cinematic video for new single, "Nightlight". Brian Leak. Alternative Press. 6 August 2015. 25 September 2015.
4. Web site: Hear a New Silversun Pickups Track. The Daily Beast. James Joiner. 10 September 2015. 25 September 2015.
5. Web site: Listen to Silversun Pickups' Dreamy New Song, 'Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)'. Diffuser.FM. Beth Kellmurray. 11 September 2015. 25 September 2015.
6. Web site: Silversun Pickups - Better Nature . . 2021 .
7. Web site: Silversun Pickups Average Setlists of tour: Better Nature | setlist.fm . setlist.fm .
8. Web site: Silversun Pickups Tour Statistics: Better Nature | setlist.fm . setlist.fm .