Coming out of California, Silversun Pickups have begun to emerge on the national scene thanks to their debut EP, “Pikul.” At times sounding like what the music early Smashing Pumpkins would make if they were founded today, and often sounding simply like an indie band that plays by their own dreamy, spacey rules, Silversun Pickups is a welcome breath of fresh air, even if they still have a few slight holes in their repertoire.

Coming out of the gate with the angsty, angry “Kissing Families,” Silversun Pickups don’t sound initially impressive; in fact, the chord progression recalls the Verve Pipe’s power-ballad “The Freshmen” sped up to alterna-rock pacing. The track that follows that, “Comeback Kid,” still sounds like a band that listened to too many Smashing Pumpkins records, though it is a bit catchier then its predecessor. If the record was to end there it would probably stand as a largely unimpressive, though in no way offensive, release by a young band. Those two songs hint at subtleties, originality, and innovative songwriting but never quite reach their marks.

Luckily, the record does not end there. For the remaining tracks, Silversun Pickups proves they are not simply a band to watch – but a band to watch out for. Meshing dreamy melodies, courtesy of both male and female vocal parts, and raw, noisy guitars, Silversun Pickups is most definitely informed by the shoegaze movement but has moved decidedly away from it. The songs on “Pikul” are fully developed, every inch crawling in sound and atmosphere, but are never dense or suffocating. “Booksmart Devil” and “The Fuzz” are perfect ways to establish the band’s sound to a new listener; smooth, almost sunny, but with a sly, dark edge. “Creation Lake” is a far quieter track, an example of just how delicate the band can make their music.

However what is easily the centerpiece of “Pikul” is “