Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania (2012)

mr dave · 06-17-2012, 08:17 AM

Admittedly I haven't checked out much of anything by Corgan and Co. since the final batch of compilations that were released after Machina (Rotten Apples / Judas 0) but from what I'm finding on youtube it's not doing much for me.

The title track is overdrawn and gets boring, the heavier live tracks like Quasar are so reminiscent of their early material that it sounds like a clone. There really is no going home again. One of the comments for Quasar really sums it all up - It sounds like I Am One. The 'new' song sounds like the first song from the first album from 20 years ago, I suppose it's fine for a new generation of people, but as an old school fan if I want to hear something that sounds like 1992, I'm gonna dig out an album from 1992. Not really interested in new material made to revisit covered ground.

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

Every time I've bought into his nonsense about how he's giving the fans what they want and THIS time it's awesome.

This raises a big red flag for me. If he's trying to please the masses he's always going to fail - they'll never be satisfied because they're never able to fully remove the nostalgia filter from their memories. As a result it sounds like he's trying instead of doing, there's no feeling of '... alright this take, don't give a f*ck' as is revealed in the final seconds of the classic Silverf*ck.

He's obviously still got a keen ear for production though, I don't know why he doesn't move into a more studio based / mentor role for newer bands. Time to pass the torch Billy.

Justthefacts · 06-17-2012, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Ihash

Well, the thing is that their music is so diverse that, in the end, I kinda of hope there's still some aspect that billy hasn't fully developed, like the electronic side, which I think is awesome... But after Zetigeist and Oceania, I realize this is silly...

It's a shame too. The Smashing Pumpkins are one of the best 90's bands and easily one of my favorite bands, but if Billy keeps churning this **** out, there's no hope for the Pumpkins anymore.

SGR · 06-18-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zer0

I didn't go into this album expecting much, considering the wave of frustrating mediocrity that was Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, but here we go. This album isn't actually too bad. Not particularly great either but seems better than everything that Billy has released under the Smashing Pumpkins name since it was revived. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I would respect Billy a lot more if he released this under his own name as a solo project rather than under what was once one of the greatest bands of the 90's. Nothing can compare to the likes of Siamese Dream, Gish and Adore so there is no real point trying to better those albums and this album isn't going to come close either.

That said there are some good songs on this album, namely 'The Celestials', 'Glissandra' and 'Inkless', the latter has a main riff very reminiscent of early 90's Pumpkins songs like 'Hummer'. There are some very average and forgettable moments as well but overall not bad and could have been a lot worse.

To be fair, SP pretty much always has been Billy's solo name (save for Jimmy's help). But his album is actually a solid contribution from all band members. I'm really loving this album so far.

90'sMusicKid · 06-21-2012, 09:12 PM

I liked this album but not as much as I was hoping to...I came into it with low expectations but it wasn't as sell out-ish as Zeitgeist was I don't think. Ill give it a 7/10. I wanted to like this way more but I just feel like the pumpkins will never have the soul they did in 91-94. I just loved Gish and Siamese dream so much as a kid that my expectations are too high for Billy. ****..I even have a Gish tattoo.

duga · 06-22-2012, 10:55 AM

I've given it a couple more spins and while I think it has more of the Pumpkins feel than Zeitgeist did, it just isn't there. When the music is good, the lyrics are ridiculous. When the lyrics are good the music is boring as hell. I know Billy can write great lyrics, too... Just listen to Adore. There are some enjoyable moments, but I'm a little surprised at the positive reaction this album has been getting from critics. I'm happy for the band, but I really want to enjoy this more.

Siamese Dream > Mellon Collie > Adore > Gish > Machina II > Machina > Pisces Iscariot > Oceania > Zeitgeist

James Ihash · 06-22-2012, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 90'sMusicKid

I liked this album but not as much as I was hoping to...I came into it with low expectations but it wasn't as sell out-ish as Zeitgeist was I don't think. Ill give it a 7/10. I wanted to like this way more but I just feel like the pumpkins will never have the soul they did in 91-94. I just loved Gish and Siamese dream so much as a kid that my expectations are too high for Billy. ****..I even have a Gish tattoo.

Nice tat! Have you checked out the re-release for gish and siame dream?

James Ihash · 06-22-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duga

I've given it a couple more spins and while I think it has more of the Pumpkins feel than Zeitgeist did, it just isn't there. When the music is good, the lyrics are ridiculous. When the lyrics are good the music is boring as hell. I know Billy can write great lyrics, too... Just listen to Adore. There are some enjoyable moments, but I'm a little surprised at the positive reaction this album has been getting from critics. I'm happy for the band, but I really want to enjoy this more.

Siamese Dream > Mellon Collie > Adore > Gish > Machina II > Machina > Pisces Iscariot > Oceania > Zeitgeist

I've just gave it another spin, and I agree with you. It is better than zeitgeist, but zeitgeist was just impossible to listen to...

Though I disagree about Piscies, it's just great. Starla, Whir, and their awesome Girl Named Sandoz cover...

duga · 06-22-2012, 10:18 PM

Yes, but please keep in mind that I'm the kind of person who finds their pre-Zeitgeist albums to be flawless. It's hard for me to rank them. Even Pisces Iscariot is genius... the other albums just edge it out a bit more. The only one that beats them all is Siamese Dream, which is the greatest album ever recorded in my opinion.

SGR · 06-23-2012, 06:23 AM

I do agree that the lyrics sometimes suck, but I'm really digging this record as of now. SP sounds revitalized and I could see this album as being a stepping stone to a great recording band again.

duga · 06-23-2012, 10:41 AM

Now, I can actually agree with that. Since there is so much positive press going on, hopefully that will motivate Billy to crank out some more creative material. The Chili Peppers' Californication reinvigorated them and they pumped out By the Way next - one of their best albums. We shall see.

I'm still really looking forward to the reissues... I can't wait for Machina II to be released in all its mastered and non-fuzzy glory.

View Poll Results: What did you think of the album?
Very poor	0	0%
Poor	2	8.70%
Average	9	39.13%
Good	8	34.78%
Very good	4	17.39%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

06-21-2012, 09:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
90'sMusicKid That weird kid Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 214	I liked this album but not as much as I was hoping to...I came into it with low expectations but it wasn't as sell out-ish as Zeitgeist was I don't think. Ill give it a 7/10. I wanted to like this way more but I just feel like the pumpkins will never have the soul they did in 91-94. I just loved Gish and Siamese dream so much as a kid that my expectations are too high for Billy. ****..I even have a Gish tattoo. __________________ I'm waiting for the come down to put me in my place i'm giving you the low down so you don't make my mistakes

06-22-2012, 10:55 AM	#15 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	I've given it a couple more spins and while I think it has more of the Pumpkins feel than Zeitgeist did, it just isn't there. When the music is good, the lyrics are ridiculous. When the lyrics are good the music is boring as hell. I know Billy can write great lyrics, too... Just listen to Adore. There are some enjoyable moments, but I'm a little surprised at the positive reaction this album has been getting from critics. I'm happy for the band, but I really want to enjoy this more. Siamese Dream > Mellon Collie > Adore > Gish > Machina II > Machina > Pisces Iscariot > Oceania > Zeitgeist __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

06-22-2012, 10:18 PM	#18 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Yes, but please keep in mind that I'm the kind of person who finds their pre-Zeitgeist albums to be flawless. It's hard for me to rank them. Even Pisces Iscariot is genius... the other albums just edge it out a bit more. The only one that beats them all is Siamese Dream, which is the greatest album ever recorded in my opinion. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

06-23-2012, 10:41 AM	#20 (permalink)
duga MB quadrant's JM Vincent Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3,762	Now, I can actually agree with that. Since there is so much positive press going on, hopefully that will motivate Billy to crank out some more creative material. The Chili Peppers' Californication reinvigorated them and they pumped out By the Way next - one of their best albums. We shall see. I'm still really looking forward to the reissues... I can't wait for Machina II to be released in all its mastered and non-fuzzy glory. __________________ Confusion will be my epitaph...

06-23-2012, 06:23 AM	#19 (permalink)
SGR No Ice In My Bourbon Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: /dev/null Posts: 4,326	I do agree that the lyrics sometimes suck, but I'm really digging this record as of now. SP sounds revitalized and I could see this album as being a stepping stone to a great recording band again.