The Smashing Pumpkins – Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.
Release Date: November 16, 2018 via Napalm Records
9 November 2018 – The Smashing Pumpkins are releasing the first album since 2000, that features original members, Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin. I will tell you this. Whatever lighting in a bottle that these guys caught when they recorded Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, has exploded onto this record.
It feels like there is something bigger than just music going on, with this album. Maybe it’s the familiarity of Chamberlin behind the kit and Iha on the guitar. Both complimenting Corgan’s own guitar work, both on bass and guitar, as well as his voice. Maybe it’s the energy of working together. That magic of certain people working in the same space with one another, bringing out strengths and greatness. Don’t get me wrong, in a perfect world, the sentimental part of me would’ve loved to have seen D’arcy Wretzky involved at some level. But clearly having Jeff Schroeder a part of this, has been a benefit to the overall sound of the album. He’s been an integral part of the band’s sound for over a decade and the mix of former members and current members is a complete success.
So let’s get into the sound. The album consists of eight songs that were recorded at the Shangri Las recording studio in Malibu, California, and was produced by Rick Rubin. The idea, originally, was to release two E.P.’s but at some point the decision was made to release a full length LP. It was the right move. The album plays to an approximate 32 minutes. It’s the perfect length of having the listener being happy with what they’ve heard and wanting to hear what comes next.
The production value on this album is an A. The mix is truly one of the better mixes I’ve heard all year. Billy Corgan’s voice never gets lost and Chamberlin’s drums stay contained in the mix, even when he is showing why he is one the best drummers of his generation. The guitars are warm (Travels, With Sympathy) and get mean when they need to be (Solara, Marchin’ On).
Let’s go track by track – and break this record down.
The album begins with one of the more subdued tracks on the record, Knights of Malta. Even though I would probably prefer something heavier/up tempo in most cases with a band like this, this song is a great way to introduce what is to come. This song is full of music and sound and Chamberlin lays down a nice, sway worthy groove. I’ll admit, Corgan’s “whoa, whoa, whoa’s” caught me off guard at first but by the end of the song, I was singing along to them (and have been humming them ever since).
The second track, Silvery Sometimes (Ghost) will give you the 1979 chills. It has a throwback feel without sounding dated. Again, the mix here is outstanding and it feels like this song should be pushed hard to radio. Fans of the band will definitely appreciate this one. The third track is Travels. I love the introspective feel of this song. See love, see time. See death, see life. I’ll just leave it there.
Solara is the fourth track. This song is the crusher of the entire record. It has a big, epic feel to it. The distorted guitars are like a controlled rage and have a Motorhead, “bitchin’-ness” to them. That moment when the same chugging riff is coming out of both speakers, it becomes a crank up the radio type event. This is also one of those great Jimmy Chamberlin drum tracks. He puts in some highly skilled snare drum work throughout the song. I think it was a great choice to be the first single. A sort of, “hey man, we’re back and we still kick ass”, to anyone that forgot or needed to be reminded.
Alienation is up next. This is a great mixture of piano, strings and a rock band. The distorted guitars sit in the background but are so necessary as I could not imagine the song with out them. I love how out in front Corgan’s vocals are on all of the songs, but on Alienation, they really stand out and you get to hear the tone of his singing voice.
As soon as Marchin’ On started, I got those rock and roll goose bumps. The guitar melody feels like a Soundgarden inspired riff and again, another impressive job on the drums from Chamberlin. There is something about the sound of a guitar that is tuned to a drop D and then played as a bar chord. It doesn’t get used as much as it did a few years ago, but it stands out (in a good way) when it happens today. This is probably the most straight forward rock song on the album. Not only is it my favorite song, I feel with a big push, it could see a long life on the radio. The second to last track is With Sympathy. It’s a beautiful song and is the type of thing that really gives this album so much depth. The mix has been so solid, it almost seems like an afterthought. Then at times during the album, the brilliance comes rushing back as a reminder. This song was one of those moments for me.
The closing track is Seek and You Shall Destroy. It doesn’t happen often, but this song, placed at the end of the record, absolutely leaves you wanting more. That semi-staccato guitar is addicting and as I’ve mentioned before, the guitar tone is outstanding. There is a underlying buzz/bass that gives this track some sinister character. The evil nature of the song left me wanting to hear other songs that may have been considered for this album.
I don’t have a ton of complaints on this record. The guitars are thick and dominating when they need to be. They also hang back when the song needs them to just wallflower for a few. At no point did they ever sound muddy to me. The bass guitar holds the bottom end together while still finding melodic life, in spots. The drums are a pleasure to listen to. The toms have great tone and really shine through, as they tend to do when placed properly in the mix. The vocals are outstanding, both in production and performance.
In my opinion this is the best Smashing Pumpkins album since Siamese Dream. That is no slight to any work the band has released since then and certainly no slight to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. They are great, but this album captures something I haven’t heard since Siamese Dream. Maybe it’s the benefit of being older and wiser. Maybe it’s the magic of working with people you haven’t worked with in a while. Maybe it’s a fire that sometimes goes dim on top but underneath is ready to burn hotter than ever. Or maybe, strip away the poetry and you get a band that has simply written and recorded a brilliant album.
9/10
-Tommy Marz
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Tracklisting:
Knights of Malta 4:37
Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) 3:31
Travels 5:23
Solara 4:22
Alienation 5:01
Marchin’ On 2:39
With Sympathy 3:30
Seek and You Shall Destroy 2:45
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