Dandy Classic Track of the Day #48 – Silversun Pickups

“Lazy Eye” Silversun Pickups (Carnavas, 2006)

I first heard this song when playing ‘Rock Band 2’ on my PS3 back in 2008 or so. It immediately became a favorite of mine and remains so to this day. Written by the band leader Brian Aubert who is the lead singer/guitarist this one starts off with a thruming, insistent downtuned guitar that sets the scene as he gradually ratchets up the pressure of the song.

He has some other great little instruments (notably keyboard) and secondary guitar lines that build the tension (including a fun flange effect at about 2:20) that when the song finally releases said tension at about 2:55 it’s so rewarding as a listener. Once he screams “locked and loaded!” you can’t help but find yourself fully invested.

On the radio edit it sort of fades out from there but on the superior album version we are treated to a guitar tour-de-force before the song resolves itself and you’re ready to hear the entire Smashing Pumpkins-inspired brilliance all over again. I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life indeed.  Fun fact: This song was a huge hit in Peru, going all the way to #2.