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Silversun Pickups

Last year saw the Los Angeles band Silversun Pickups hurdling through the blogosphere, as the group’s 90’s throwback tracks from its debut EP, Pikul (released on Hollywood indie label Dangerbird), circulated among rookie bands and fans alike, up and down both coastlines. Echoing early nineties alternapop before it all degenerated toward the lowest common denominator, SSUP —as the abbreviation-crazed internetters would have it— is reminiscent of bands like Lush, My Bloody Valentine, Sleater-Kinney, and the Smashing Pumpkins. In fact, guitarist/singer Brian Auger may be even sweeter-voiced than his female counterpart Nikki Monninger, able to sound at times like Sleater-Kinney or L7 and at others more like Billy Corgan. The Pumpkins comparisons do abound, and not unfairly, but a listen to the latest release on Dangerbird, Carnavas, might bring to mind even catchier power pop a la Placebo or Matthew Sweet’s better efforts. The ridiculously catchy “Lazy Eye” is one of those too perfect songs that’s in danger of overplay from day one, and it’s heavy rotation will probably bring a lot of new fans to the show. It’s no one hit wonder though: The whole album holds up terrifically, even with the shadow of a great track like “Lazy Eye” looming over the rest.

Thursday, May 10 at 8pm. The Town Ballroom, 681 Main St. (852-3900). $14/Tickets.com-$15/at door.