Quickie Album Reviews: The Silversun Pickups, Be Your Own Pet, Thom Yorke

The Silversun Pickups "Carnavas" Dangerbird Records
The long-awaited full-length from L.A.'s current best live act is quiet-loud-quiet indie rocking at its near finest. Those used to the band's earlier demo recordings might scratch their heads at the reworked versions of some of their old favorites, but the album's excellent new material delivers in its stead. Perhaps not quite full potential for SSPU, but still not to be missed. - Joe Fielder

Be Your Own Pet "Be Your Own Pet" Infinity Cat Recordings
So their parents are all well-connected, there's a major label logo on their spines, and they sound more than a little like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. None of these things can hold back and the brash unbridled energy of this strikingly good debut. Distilling down adolescent momentum into bubble gum sticky punk, these Tennessee teens tear through every song with a welcomely unrehearsed and refreshing recklessness. - Josh Berquist

Thom Yorke "The Eraser" XL Recordings
The most surprising thing about the surprise solo offering from Radiohead's frontman, is the sense of hope it contains. While still chock-full of common radiohead themes (despair, paranoia) it actually contains what can only be called love songs. A mostly electronic affair with a few natural touches, it approaches the quieter moments of Kid A while not suffering from the meandering that that album did by maintaining its focus and keeping the songs tight. It's not going to change the world, but for late-night alone time, Thom Yorke remains a good friend. - Gabriel Burger