Can you do a review of Siamese Dream, I recently listened to it for the first time and even though I'm not much of a Smashing Pumpkins/Rock fan it was easily one of my favourite albums of all time. Would love to hear your thoughts.
My take on it was that it's nice to have James and Jimmy back, but it's not anything to write home about on a lot of the songs. I do like stuff like "Silvery Sometimes" and also "Solara", but nothing is something as memorable as those.
I actually thought Zeitgeist was a very good album. Yes, I agree that Corgan's intentions with it were certainly a turn-off, but in my opinion most tracks hit the mark.
Gish- good debut album with some really good songs, but nothing mind blowing. Siamese Dream- Absolutely amazing album. Not a single weak song. Great guitar work as well MCIS- Epic album that really takes you on a trip. Great songwriting and their second best album imo (Siamese dream being #1) Pisces Iscariot- Haven't really listened to it other than landslide, which is a great cover Adore- Less electric guitar centered, but still really good and worth checking out Machina- Underrated album that is actually pretty darn good Zeitgeist- Meh. Just not very interesting Oceania- Suprisingly good. The Celestials is actually one of my favorite pumpkins songs Monuments- Not my cup of tea. Kind of gets away from the pumpkins' style. maybe it'll grow on me with more listens though
You're missing Machina II - The Friends And Enemies Of Modern Music. It was an internet-only album intended to be free for the fans, but you can locate promo and bootleg copies on disc if that's your thing (and it is mine). Of couse, Billy has systematically been remastering each album and releasing them with boatloads of extra material, but that process has gotten stuck at Machina/Machina II, which were going to be released as one entity. Reportedly, he was having issues with the label (most likely due to the fact that they didn't handle Machina II and Billy doesn't want to lose total control of it?). Pisces Iscariot is a collection of B-sides, some previously released at the time, some not. There is a later collection of b-sides entitled Judas O, included as a second disc with the greatest hits collection Rotten Apples. Of course, there is also the singles/EPs collection The Airplane Flies High, also bolstered with b-sides. All are highly recommended, as are the deluxe remastered editions of the original albums, if you want to delve deeper into the Pumpkins. Billy was/is quite the prolific writer and seemingly always had extra material ready for bonus tracks.
Most of that is fair. One album you are way wrong about. Gish- that album is mind-blowing, period. If you play any instrument, or write music, you would know that album is not "nothing mind blowing."
@@madferit5390 dude it's the other HALF of the Machina album... it's meant to be a double album like Mellon Collie, but the record label only let Billy release half. You can find Machina II (ths second half) on the internet for free x
I personally think The Smashing Pumpkins were one of, if not, the best band of the 90s. 2 great albums, and 2 classics. Underrated among all time great bands.
"...call back to some of the best moments on Mellon Collie". THAT would be that last streak of songs at the end of the album with We Only Come out at Night, Beautiful, Lily, By Starlight, Farewell and Goodnight. I started listening to Mellon Collie and SP almost a year and half ago, and I still listen to songs from it every day. Those last five songs are the symbolic "night" wrapping up of the album, and they give me new emotions, and it's beautiful....and I guess a testament to the beauty of Billy Corgan. I wish I could meet him and tell him what he created
one of the tracks off this album that I don't hear people mention that often is Glissandra. I really enjoyed the track from beginning, towards the middle and then as they begin to end it, it kind of drags me back in and leaves me feeling refreshed.
I was actually shocked at how much I like this. You can say what you want about how it can't stand up to their old stuff (really, what can?), but a good album's a good album as far as I'm concerned. Good to have you back Billy.
Love the pumpkins. One of my favourite bands, and one of the handful of bands that I still love their key records as much as I did when I was 17. So it's somewhat strange digesting their newer stuff that will never be as good as the stuff they did in their prime. When you also factor in Billy believing in chemtrails and other such nonsense, I feel a little like he is dragging their name through the mud. But meh. What can you do?
some of his comments are acute, but some BS. Did he expect a SP album with only quiet, melodic songs? And I would say Pale Horse and Wildflower are two stunning songs at the tail end of the album.
Hey man, I don't even think the best albums were ever critically acclaimed. I've heard Billy say this many times: "we never got good press". They were acclaimed by the fans. The pumpkins had the absolutely most passionate fans.
thuggin was ok. just ok. shame is ok, too. what did gibbs' lyrics really bring to the track? a fresh perspective on anything? seems like he gets laid a lot, but it's nothing that's shattering my world, dude. his flow is great, tho. i wish gibbs and lib would stop messin' around and just do a whole album.
Mike was also really good about how much he hit the crash to follow the tempo of the song and make it as paced as it was. Guy was incredible on this album.
At first, I despised Monuments. But it grew on me despite being an admittedly awkward phase of the band. It’s almost like SP made an 80s hair metal record. Weird, but cool. And the song “One and All” is a rehashed Mellon Collie b-side I believe called “The Viper”. It’s in the Pistachio Medley
a lot of reviewers put out a review way to early sometimes the day after the release, usually within the first week to get the most hits. you can't judge an album in that time frame. i have had this album a month now and it still continues to grow on me. where i would have given the album a 7/10 when i first bought it, i would now give it a 9. i love it soooo much
Good review. I'm in the camp that thinks the Smashing Pumpkins produced a nearly flawless output in the 90's, with MC&IS being one of my top 3 albums of all time. Sir Corgan hasn't showed me a ton to be impressed with since then (although Zwan was pretty decent...). So I was pleasantly surprised that this album is actually very pleasant. Surprised you didn't enjoy the title track onward. While nothing "amazing" I actually quite like that side of the album's heaviness, particularly "Inkless."
Saw the Pumpkinas live last year when they toured Oceania but never actually listened to the album the whole way through (I think I was afraid I was going to hate it). However I just got it! And I'm going to listen to it now. Thanks for the review, you've given me hope
Siamese Dream is my favorite Pumpkins record and no matter what, their first three albums will always be classics that will live on forever. Adore and Pisces Iscariot are great as well. Machina I & II are pretty good but Oceania and the mentioned albums are better than those two.
Thank you for your thoughtful review. Although I disagree with a lot of what you said and take issue with some of your cloudy historical background of SP, I realize you are not a superfan and that's obviously alright. You mentioned that the post-Oceania tracks sound like dull, effortless formulaic rehashes of songs of SP past. I can see where the guitar tones are similar to that of albums past(Inkless) but I am curious as to what SP track you find Pale Horse similar. Thanks again.
I never thought of Smashing Pumpkins as a Hard Rock Band. They have more Soft Songs than they do Hard Songs. This album is the Smashing Pumpkins best albums since Marry Star Of The Sea and The Future Embrace, but the truth is they don't really have any bad albums. Some of their albums may have had bad production but they were all pretty brilliant. Most of their B-Sides (Set The Ray To Jerry) and Demos (Blessed And Gone) blow most bands Lead Singles out of the water.
Everything the pumpkins have done basically other than their first 4 LP’s and some b-sides are criminally underrated Edit: I disagree with my own comment nowadays, the last 3 albums have been dookie, except Green Day's Dookie was actually good
good album, some well-written hooks. billy corgan writes great music, whatever he calls his musical act at any given time. i do take issue with still calling this band smashing pumpkins, but it ain't my band. some of the best material billy ever turned out was not even done under the pumpkins name. it was done by zwan.
loved the album it was very different from what i was expecting but it grew on me, saw them during the oceania tour when they came to Los Angeles and they played great, cant wait to see them in august at the forum.
Would love reviews for Peaking Lights - Lucifer and DIIV - Oshin. Also, Twin Shadow - Confess has leaked, so I look forward to a review of that within the next couple of weeks.
I think you should take the time to let the three songs "The Chimera", "Glissandra", and "Inkless" grow on you a little more. I wasn't fond of them initially, but when I got to understand the groove and arrangements of how they work fundamentally, I could not stop playing them. Also, "Pale Horse" is such a wonderful track. I don't understand how you would not give that song as much credit as the other ones you like.
I fucking love Zeitgeist. Corgan's high pitch cutting through the shrill riffs and violently beaten drums comes off beautifully to me. It's so much more fun and unlike their previous work that I have to respect it.
As a fellow fan, I'd like to know why you think so. I like Gish, but Siamese Dream seems to have faster, more emotional solos; also, more straight forward, aggressive, fuzzy riffs. I kinda get that the nebulous, psychedelic side of Gish that Siamese Dream doesn't have as much of might be appealing to some, but overall, Siamese Dream is "the" definitive SP album for me. Mellon Collie isn't really a guitar player's album, and that's the only reason I chose Siamese Dream over it, just so you know.
As a massive Pumpkins fan, I gotta say this is by no means their best album, but definitely the best album Billy Corgan has released since Machina (that includes Zwan, FutureEmbrace and Zeitgeist). I'd probably give it a 7 or 8 :)
I agree with you, this new album includes some good songs (Pale Horse, Violet Rays, Oceania, Quasar and The Celestials), but the final result is nothing very exciting, after the first break up of the band in 2000 Corgan never been the same music genius: I mean with some projects like solo album or Zwan album and also with this so called "SP new life". I really miss their 90s era, so differents albums from Gish to Machina but everyone was inspired and epic.
I really think that some of these songs would have been big hits if they were released in 1995 instead of 2012 (such as Glissandra.) At this point they alienated some much of their audience though by how long it took to put out this album.
Nice review,, Ant. I agree the harder tracks leave a lot to be desired. I'm surprised you didn't mention "pinwheels". An elegant track, guitars and synths in forefront as you alluded to, plus Billys lyrics shine here. Review Chevelles new lp "La Gargola" please!!
Good review, even though I disagree with the score. For me, I would give it a strong 8/10. It's one of the Pumpkins' best works so far. It's not that amazing but it's a step in the right direction for the new lineup. I can say that the production is much better and cleaner than Zeitgeist. I believe that album was hit hard by the loudness war and while I don't dislike Zeitgeist, it's my least favorite Pumpkins record.
I agree with most of your points Anthony. I actually enjoy the louder tracks but it may be just because they are to me the closest it gets to "classic Pumpkins". It was a lot better than I expected but "Pale Horse" is a terrible track IMO. Also, Billy is a person I hate to love and most of his lyrics on this record are laughably generic, and I wished it wasn't quite as produced but overall I think he delivered. Also great drumming.
I do see were you're coming from, and I would probably say alot, if not most of the best Pumpkins songs come of that album, but I don't think it needed to be 2 hours long, I think some of them seem like fillers to make it a big double album. And as a concept album...well it basically has no concept. Just a weird cover and a fancy theme and title. The genius hooks are just more consistent on SD, and I think I just prefer '93 Corgan over '95 Corgan. Although the Zero top and eye liner were cool.
The funny thing about this album is, I was listening to it in the car a while ago and thought "Hmm.. I bet Anthony Fantano would give this a ... 6". In many ways this album is almost an anachronism, but not quite. The Pumpkins are far back enough in the past where they aren't really in step with the most popular acts of today like DIIV but not old enough to tap into nostalgia. the album has it's ups and downs, I don't know if it's gonna have staying power in my library, time will tell. 7/10
I COMPLETELY agree about the harder tracks on this thing. They just sound terrible, but to be fair, I've always thought the more rough sounding tracks have sounded bad (e.g Jellybelly.) I know I'm in the minority when I say that Adore is my favorite album they the Pumpkins. Followed by Siamese Dream, probably. I will say however, I do like this new album. I was pleasantly surprised by the album AFTER the first two tracks. It feels like a modern rock record while still being the Pumpkins...
the key theme i think your missing in this album is the phycadelic feel, the groove, just the over all sp FEEL not sound. zeitgeist was also wonderful, he said he wanted to write a straight forward rock album and he pulled that off incrediable. Fix ur eq or ur headphones if u think it sounds muddy.
Im going to ask...how? It was a very good and inspirational album, especially the track Oceania. This song is a wonderful musical journey, traveling 9 breathless minutes in an unknown world. Then, at the end, you open your eyes and say to yourself: again, I want to leave again. A truly amazing Pumpkins song
Appreciate your reviews man, they're really great, but I 100% do not agree about the muddiness of the guitars on Zeitgeist and how you say "like drinking sour milk". The guitar sounds throughout the album, especially on tracks like Tarantula and Doomsday Clock, are guttural and visceral for me and totally pull me in!
Sure, Billy is the Great Pumpkin, but I don't think he can call the band "The Smashing Pumpkins" if he is the only original member. James Iha's talents are sorely missed! Anyway, Oceania is a great sonic sampler of Pumpkin history (e.g. Quasar and Panopticon try to recapture that Gish/Siamese Dream magic, Pale Horse feels like Adore, and Oceania has the same ambitious vibe as a Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness). Full agreement with Fantano's points about a solid streak of great songs.
You should watch some of the videos on his channel. But in general Anthony's favorite albums include No Love Deep Web and The Money Store (Death Grips), Dripping (Pile), Merriweather Post Pavilion (Animal Collective), Madvillainy and In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (NMH).
...And I think that's awesome! I really enjoyed this one and it also made me go back and listen to previous Pumpkins records (as at this point, I'd pretty much forgotten about them) and now I've been listening to Siamese Dream and Gish and Adore again. I've always owned a copy of Mellon Collie but that album is a little too *ADHD* for me to listen all the way through. Overall, I think this album is successful in rekindling the Pumpkin's light and I'm interested in adding Oceania to my collection
And the smashing pumpkins are as good of a band as they ever were. billy is a great brilliant song writer in and out of a band with all sorts of styles. He loves his new band mates and they are doing what they love. Its obvious they dont care about fan numbers and Thats why theyre gonna stay good. No matter how or what time they release their music
Shit man yeah, forgot to mention that. I do agree that Mellon Collie is a good album but personally I just like the feel of Siamese Dream and Gish more. I think everyone can agree that all three are head and shoulders above the rest.
hmmmmmmmm.. Oceania comes across really well live. Ok so the new band cant really replace the intensity of Darcy, James or Jimmy with the history and friendship/hatred they all had for each other. I think what Billy is doing is what he does best. writing songs outside of the "square". So Zeitgeist wasn't his best writing, but bleeding the orchid sums up generation x pretty well. Embrace Billy and his new incarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins
Bring on "Fall" I hate this heat! I really like this album. You can't stay an angry young man forever! I think the Pumpkins have really captured something here, and I like it! It's obvious they were'nt looking for a new sound, if they did, everyone would be bitching. We got a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It works for me!!
Lol. That's if you divide the compound word and translate both parts literally. Zeitgeist as a compound word means "Spirit of the Age". It's kind of like the same thing as a "paradigm" or a prevailing, ubiquitous attitude, mood, or worldview.
its actualy beautiful how you can put every album SP released on a table in order and look at the evolution that took place through everyone different sound in every one of them all the line up changes side projects age progression critics everything leads to Oceania Billies a middle aged man now hes not as wild as before which is great now we get to listen to years of experience and musical talent with this album:) so yeah the 90's album were great but dont overlook oceania peoples:D
PLEASEEEEEE DO A CLASSIC REVIEW OF MELLON COLLIE & THE INFINITE SADNESS
I really wish he'd do that.
Man, I wish. Even to know what his rating was at least
I still really want this
Yes please and Siamese Dream too
Oliver Blu yes
Can you do a review of Siamese Dream, I recently listened to it for the first time and even though I'm not much of a Smashing Pumpkins/Rock fan it was easily one of my favourite albums of all time. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Maybe for Classics week?? :D
Smashing pumpkins is my favorite album of all time
Kaiser Yusuf mayonaise is undoubtably the greatest song of all time
@@otterno.1128 HUMMER*
Siamese Dream is my 2 am rock album. It's just............ so good.
NOW REVIEW SMASHING PUMPKINS: SHINY AND OH SO BRIGHT LP : NO PAST, NO FUTURE, NO SUN :) 2O18
My take on it was that it's nice to have James and Jimmy back, but it's not anything to write home about on a lot of the songs. I do like stuff like "Silvery Sometimes" and also "Solara", but nothing is something as memorable as those.
Machina is over looked, but ever lasting gaze is a great song with really unique tone, its elevating.
WebMaster Ultra Love that track
Love that album!
Machina II is great too.
@@shkeni Am I the only one that thinks that Machina II was better than Machina I?
The Christian Hymn no one talks about
I actually thought Zeitgeist was a very good album. Yes, I agree that Corgan's intentions with it were certainly a turn-off, but in my opinion most tracks hit the mark.
+Idiots not than his 90s music, best music of all time
Dude I sworn I was the only one who really liked Zeitgeist
Bleed The Orchids is one of my fav Pumpkins tunes.
Bernard Ceilan bsides were good on that album
Zeitgeist was badly mixed/produced.
Gish- good debut album with some really good songs, but nothing mind blowing.
Siamese Dream- Absolutely amazing album. Not a single weak song. Great guitar work as well
MCIS- Epic album that really takes you on a trip. Great songwriting and their second best album imo (Siamese dream being #1)
Pisces Iscariot- Haven't really listened to it other than landslide, which is a great cover
Adore- Less electric guitar centered, but still really good and worth checking out
Machina- Underrated album that is actually pretty darn good
Zeitgeist- Meh. Just not very interesting
Oceania- Suprisingly good. The Celestials is actually one of my favorite pumpkins songs
Monuments- Not my cup of tea. Kind of gets away from the pumpkins' style. maybe it'll grow on me with more listens though
I feel pretty much the same with most of those. Haven't listened to much of zeitgeist tho and I love Pisces, it's got a lot of real gems on it
Brody Ellis you've gotta listen to Pisces!!! It's Siamese part II for me. So much great stuff on that album!
Other the Mellon Colie being my favourite (and my favourite album ever in general probably) I completely agree with this.
You're missing Machina II - The Friends And Enemies Of Modern Music. It was an internet-only album intended to be free for the fans, but you can locate promo and bootleg copies on disc if that's your thing (and it is mine). Of couse, Billy has systematically been remastering each album and releasing them with boatloads of extra material, but that process has gotten stuck at Machina/Machina II, which were going to be released as one entity. Reportedly, he was having issues with the label (most likely due to the fact that they didn't handle Machina II and Billy doesn't want to lose total control of it?).
Pisces Iscariot is a collection of B-sides, some previously released at the time, some not. There is a later collection of b-sides entitled Judas O, included as a second disc with the greatest hits collection Rotten Apples. Of course, there is also the singles/EPs collection The Airplane Flies High, also bolstered with b-sides. All are highly recommended, as are the deluxe remastered editions of the original albums, if you want to delve deeper into the Pumpkins. Billy was/is quite the prolific writer and seemingly always had extra material ready for bonus tracks.
Most of that is fair. One album you are way wrong about. Gish- that album is mind-blowing, period. If you play any instrument, or write music, you would know that album is not "nothing mind blowing."
>didn't mention Machina II
get out
This tbh
Machina II is actually just outtakes from Machina studio sessions, aint it?
@@madferit5390 no it's an unfinished album
@@madferit5390 dude it's the other HALF of the Machina album... it's meant to be a double album like Mellon Collie, but the record label only let Billy release half. You can find Machina II (ths second half) on the internet for free x
I personally think The Smashing Pumpkins were one of, if not, the best band of the 90s. 2 great albums, and 2 classics. Underrated among all time great bands.
i never really disliked it. when i reviewed it, i gave it a 7, lol. that's liking it very much.
What about Pinwheels, That track was amazing!
Billy Corgan is a musical genius, and The Smashing Pumpkins are legendary. Period.
I was surprised by how much I loved this album.
You all can say what you want but Billy is a genius. I actually liked Oceania.
He is, but some albums are debatable though
Saul Mejia I agree.
+Tyler Randolph was a genius
he was a genius now he is a fat conservative
He's a sociopath
cuz i don't wear a lotta shirts. i'm shirt picky.
"...call back to some of the best moments on Mellon Collie". THAT would be that last streak of songs at the end of the album with We Only Come out at Night, Beautiful, Lily, By Starlight, Farewell and Goodnight. I started listening to Mellon Collie and SP almost a year and half ago, and I still listen to songs from it every day. Those last five songs are the symbolic "night" wrapping up of the album, and they give me new emotions, and it's beautiful....and I guess a testament to the beauty of Billy Corgan.
I wish I could meet him and tell him what he created
maybe we'll get back to something like that one day. when there's another tree.
in my opinion 'adore' is one of the best albums ever made.
listened to it so many times
One diamond, one heart is amazing
one of the tracks off this album that I don't hear people mention that often is Glissandra. I really enjoyed the track from beginning, towards the middle and then as they begin to end it, it kind of drags me back in and leaves me feeling refreshed.
I was actually shocked at how much I like this. You can say what you want about how it can't stand up to their old stuff (really, what can?), but a good album's a good album as far as I'm concerned. Good to have you back Billy.
Love the pumpkins. One of my favourite bands, and one of the handful of bands that I still love their key records as much as I did when I was 17. So it's somewhat strange digesting their newer stuff that will never be as good as the stuff they did in their prime. When you also factor in Billy believing in chemtrails and other such nonsense, I feel a little like he is dragging their name through the mud.
But meh. What can you do?
some of his comments are acute, but some BS. Did he expect a SP album with only quiet, melodic songs? And I would say Pale Horse and Wildflower are two stunning songs at the tail end of the album.
Hot reviewing skills AnThony. You're gonna make it big someday!
Hey man, I don't even think the best albums were ever critically acclaimed. I've heard Billy say this many times: "we never got good press". They were acclaimed by the fans. The pumpkins had the absolutely most passionate fans.
Their 90s records are massively acclaimed
thuggin was ok. just ok. shame is ok, too. what did gibbs' lyrics really bring to the track? a fresh perspective on anything? seems like he gets laid a lot, but it's nothing that's shattering my world, dude. his flow is great, tho. i wish gibbs and lib would stop messin' around and just do a whole album.
did you like the album or dislike it?
The Celestials is my favorite song on the album. I love the melodic electric guitar, and the isolated bass introducing the 2nd verse.
Mike was also really good about how much he hit the crash to follow the tempo of the song and make it as paced as it was. Guy was incredible on this album.
You never reviewed monuments to an elegy???
thankfully
You know I think you hit the nail on the head. Have you ever heard The Future Embrace? That is one of Billy's best albums.
quasar is a great track! what's he on about?
What do you think of Monuments To An Elegy?
Personally, I try to pretend it doesnt exist
nesfan8 C'mon it wasn't that bad, some strong tracks on there
Liam Williams yeah, im really biased for the golden era, so I cant ever give like a fair opinion of post 2000's Pumpkins work
At first, I despised Monuments. But it grew on me despite being an admittedly awkward phase of the band. It’s almost like SP made an 80s hair metal record. Weird, but cool. And the song “One and All” is a rehashed Mellon Collie b-side I believe called “The Viper”. It’s in the Pistachio Medley
It sounds like a generic mainstream indie rock band who rips off The Smashing Pumpkins
Track review - The Antlers - Drift Dive. I know you're not partial to them but its GORGEOUS!!
the song Oceania is fuckinnnnnnggg aweeeesommmmee!!
The title track "Oceania" really grew on me, became one of my favourites among the tracks before it.
a lot of reviewers put out a review way to early sometimes the day after the release, usually within the first week to get the most hits. you can't judge an album in that time frame. i have had this album a month now and it still continues to grow on me. where i would have given the album a 7/10 when i first bought it, i would now give it a 9. i love it soooo much
Oceania was for me a runner-up for 2012's album of the year, it was amazing for me...
Hey it's me from the past!
@@Fanchus Yo that's crazy
@@Fanchus Btw love the profile pic
@@Fanchus still love Oceania 4 years later?
@@ffash995 Oh yeah! I still think Oceania is one of Smashing Pumpkins' most underrated and better albums 😁
don't lose any sleep over it, this is a true return to form for the SP, they've gotten great reviews.
Siamese Dream is one of my favourite albums, so I'll definitely have to check this out.
Good review. I'm in the camp that thinks the Smashing Pumpkins produced a nearly flawless output in the 90's, with MC&IS being one of my top 3 albums of all time. Sir Corgan hasn't showed me a ton to be impressed with since then (although Zwan was pretty decent...). So I was pleasantly surprised that this album is actually very pleasant. Surprised you didn't enjoy the title track onward. While nothing "amazing" I actually quite like that side of the album's heaviness, particularly "Inkless."
Saw the Pumpkinas live last year when they toured Oceania but never actually listened to the album the whole way through (I think I was afraid I was going to hate it). However I just got it! And I'm going to listen to it now. Thanks for the review, you've given me hope
Siamese Dream is my favorite Pumpkins record and no matter what, their first three albums will always be classics that will live on forever. Adore and Pisces Iscariot are great as well. Machina I & II are pretty good but Oceania and the mentioned albums are better than those two.
Thank you for your thoughtful review. Although I disagree with a lot of what you said and take issue with some of your cloudy historical background of SP, I realize you are not a superfan and that's obviously alright.
You mentioned that the post-Oceania tracks sound like dull, effortless formulaic rehashes of songs of SP past. I can see where the guitar tones are similar to that of albums past(Inkless) but I am curious as to what SP track you find Pale Horse similar. Thanks again.
You never mentioned machina ii
YES.
I never thought of Smashing Pumpkins as a Hard Rock Band. They have more Soft Songs than they do Hard Songs. This album is the Smashing Pumpkins best albums since Marry Star Of The Sea and The Future Embrace, but the truth is they don't really have any bad albums. Some of their albums may have had bad production but they were all pretty brilliant. Most of their B-Sides (Set The Ray To Jerry) and Demos (Blessed And Gone) blow most bands Lead Singles out of the water.
Everything the pumpkins have done basically other than their first 4 LP’s and some b-sides are criminally underrated
Edit: I disagree with my own comment nowadays, the last 3 albums have been dookie, except Green Day's Dookie was actually good
Agree
good album, some well-written hooks. billy corgan writes great music, whatever he calls his musical act at any given time. i do take issue with still calling this band smashing pumpkins, but it ain't my band. some of the best material billy ever turned out was not even done under the pumpkins name. it was done by zwan.
Do Siamese Dream, please.
loved the album it was very different from what i was expecting but it grew on me, saw them during the oceania tour when they came to Los Angeles and they played great, cant wait to see them in august at the forum.
The #1 Album of All Time Great!
I actually enjoyed the title track Oceania for the airy drums and guitar themes and solos.
Would love reviews for Peaking Lights - Lucifer and DIIV - Oshin. Also, Twin Shadow - Confess has leaked, so I look forward to a review of that within the next couple of weeks.
I think you should take the time to let the three songs "The Chimera", "Glissandra", and "Inkless" grow on you a little more. I wasn't fond of them initially, but when I got to understand the groove and arrangements of how they work fundamentally, I could not stop playing them.
Also, "Pale Horse" is such a wonderful track. I don't understand how you would not give that song as much credit as the other ones you like.
sure is.
One Diamond One Heart is my favorite song on the album- I'm really glad you like it!
I fucking love Zeitgeist. Corgan's high pitch cutting through the shrill riffs and violently beaten drums comes off beautifully to me. It's so much more fun and unlike their previous work that I have to respect it.
As a fellow fan, I'd like to know why you think so. I like Gish, but Siamese Dream seems to have faster, more emotional solos; also, more straight forward, aggressive, fuzzy riffs. I kinda get that the nebulous, psychedelic side of Gish that Siamese Dream doesn't have as much of might be appealing to some, but overall, Siamese Dream is "the" definitive SP album for me. Mellon Collie isn't really a guitar player's album, and that's the only reason I chose Siamese Dream over it, just so you know.
yeah, it's billy & friends.
As a massive Pumpkins fan, I gotta say this is by no means their best album, but definitely the best album Billy Corgan has released since Machina (that includes Zwan, FutureEmbrace and Zeitgeist). I'd probably give it a 7 or 8 :)
I bought "Oceania" and "Huh?" based on your reviews, still waiting for amazon to deliver. Thanks for the heads up.
didn't get a chance yet.
Good review! What do you think of Monuments to an Elegy?
+Carlos Miguel didn't even mention it on Y U NO REVIEW.
i am, i am.
YES! I Sent you a message about this and commented on like 20 of your vids! The Pumpkins ROCK!
Oceania: A seaspray of whimsical reminiscings, of the moment.
Great album.
is he?
I agree with you, this new album includes some good songs (Pale Horse, Violet Rays, Oceania, Quasar and The Celestials), but the final result is nothing very exciting, after the first break up of the band in 2000 Corgan never been the same music genius: I mean with some projects like solo album or Zwan album and also with this so called "SP new life". I really miss their 90s era, so differents albums from Gish to Machina but everyone was inspired and epic.
Gish - A-
Siamese Dream - A+
Mellon Collie - A+
Adore - A-
Machina 1 - C
Machina 2 - C-
Zeitgeist - D+
Oceania - B+
In my personal opinion.
I really think that some of these songs would have been big hits if they were released in 1995 instead of 2012 (such as Glissandra.) At this point they alienated some much of their audience though by how long it took to put out this album.
Nice review,, Ant. I agree the harder tracks leave a lot to be desired. I'm surprised you didn't mention "pinwheels". An elegant track, guitars and synths in forefront as you alluded to, plus Billys lyrics shine here. Review Chevelles new lp "La Gargola" please!!
Good review, even though I disagree with the score. For me, I would give it a strong 8/10. It's one of the Pumpkins' best works so far. It's not that amazing but it's a step in the right direction for the new lineup. I can say that the production is much better and cleaner than Zeitgeist. I believe that album was hit hard by the loudness war and while I don't dislike Zeitgeist, it's my least favorite Pumpkins record.
I agree with most of your points Anthony. I actually enjoy the louder tracks but it may be just because they are to me the closest it gets to "classic Pumpkins". It was a lot better than I expected but "Pale Horse" is a terrible track IMO. Also, Billy is a person I hate to love and most of his lyrics on this record are laughably generic, and I wished it wasn't quite as produced but overall I think he delivered. Also great drumming.
ME, TOO!
Same
I do see were you're coming from, and I would probably say alot, if not most of the best Pumpkins songs come of that album, but I don't think it needed to be 2 hours long, I think some of them seem like fillers to make it a big double album. And as a concept album...well it basically has no concept. Just a weird cover and a fancy theme and title. The genius hooks are just more consistent on SD, and I think I just prefer '93 Corgan over '95 Corgan. Although the Zero top and eye liner were cool.
is he a hipster?
you did.
The funny thing about this album is, I was listening to it in the car a while ago and thought "Hmm.. I bet Anthony Fantano would give this a ... 6". In many ways this album is almost an anachronism, but not quite. The Pumpkins are far back enough in the past where they aren't really in step with the most popular acts of today like DIIV but not old enough to tap into nostalgia. the album has it's ups and downs, I don't know if it's gonna have staying power in my library, time will tell. 7/10
I COMPLETELY agree about the harder tracks on this thing. They just sound terrible, but to be fair, I've always thought the more rough sounding tracks have sounded bad (e.g Jellybelly.)
I know I'm in the minority when I say that Adore is my favorite album they the Pumpkins. Followed by Siamese Dream, probably. I will say however, I do like this new album.
I was pleasantly surprised by the album AFTER the first two tracks. It feels like a modern rock record while still being the Pumpkins...
you do, yes.
Pretty close to what I have. After hearing Adore again the other day, I have to give it an A. Its aged really well. Just a beautiful record
thinking about it.
i'll look it up.
Yeh, its such a powerful and beautiful album
you disliked it, then?
indeed.
the key theme i think your missing in this album is the phycadelic feel, the groove, just the over all sp FEEL not sound. zeitgeist was also wonderful, he said he wanted to write a straight forward rock album and he pulled that off incrediable. Fix ur eq or ur headphones if u think it sounds muddy.
Im going to ask...how? It was a very good and inspirational album, especially the track Oceania. This song is a wonderful musical journey, traveling 9 breathless minutes in an unknown world. Then, at the end, you open your eyes and say to yourself: again, I want to leave again. A truly amazing Pumpkins song
Appreciate your reviews man, they're really great, but I 100% do not agree about the muddiness of the guitars on Zeitgeist and how you say "like drinking sour milk". The guitar sounds throughout the album, especially on tracks like Tarantula and Doomsday Clock, are guttural and visceral for me and totally pull me in!
Sure, Billy is the Great Pumpkin, but I don't think he can call the band "The Smashing Pumpkins" if he is the only original member. James Iha's talents are sorely missed! Anyway, Oceania is a great sonic sampler of Pumpkin history (e.g. Quasar and Panopticon try to recapture that Gish/Siamese Dream magic, Pale Horse feels like Adore, and Oceania has the same ambitious vibe as a Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness). Full agreement with Fantano's points about a solid streak of great songs.
Their best album in the 10/20s
You should watch some of the videos on his channel. But in general Anthony's favorite albums include No Love Deep Web and The Money Store (Death Grips), Dripping (Pile), Merriweather Post Pavilion (Animal Collective), Madvillainy and In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (NMH).
Nice harmonies in "Rockin out"
...And I think that's awesome! I really enjoyed this one and it also made me go back and listen to previous Pumpkins records (as at this point, I'd pretty much forgotten about them) and now I've been listening to Siamese Dream and Gish and Adore again. I've always owned a copy of Mellon Collie but that album is a little too *ADHD* for me to listen all the way through. Overall, I think this album is successful in rekindling the Pumpkin's light and I'm interested in adding Oceania to my collection
we are *hugs*
And the smashing pumpkins are as good of a band as they ever were. billy is a great brilliant song writer in and out of a band with all sorts of styles. He loves his new band mates and they are doing what they love. Its obvious they dont care about fan numbers and Thats why theyre gonna stay good. No matter how or what time they release their music
Shit man yeah, forgot to mention that. I do agree that Mellon Collie is a good album but personally I just like the feel of Siamese Dream and Gish more. I think everyone can agree that all three are head and shoulders above the rest.
hmmmmmmmm.. Oceania comes across really well live. Ok so the new band cant really replace the intensity of Darcy, James or Jimmy with the history and friendship/hatred they all had for each other. I think what Billy is doing is what he does best. writing songs outside of the "square".
So Zeitgeist wasn't his best writing, but bleeding the orchid sums up generation x pretty well. Embrace Billy and his new incarnation of the Smashing Pumpkins
Bring on "Fall" I hate this heat! I really like this album. You can't stay an angry young man forever! I think the Pumpkins have really captured something here, and I like it! It's obvious they were'nt looking for a new sound, if they did, everyone would be bitching. We got a little bit of this and a little bit of that. It works for me!!
Lol. That's if you divide the compound word and translate both parts literally. Zeitgeist as a compound word means "Spirit of the Age". It's kind of like the same thing as a "paradigm" or a prevailing, ubiquitous attitude, mood, or worldview.
its actualy beautiful how you can put every album SP released on a table in order and look at the evolution that took place through everyone different sound in every one of them all the line up changes side projects age progression critics everything leads to Oceania Billies a middle aged man now hes not as wild as before which is great now we get to listen to years of experience and musical talent with this album:) so yeah the 90's album were great but dont overlook oceania peoples:D