By Alexei Summers (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: July 4, 2012
With the release of their newest album, Oceania, on June 19, it is clear that things have changed dramatically with The Smashing Pumpkins in nearly every conceivable way. The album is less dark in subject matter than the band’s earlier work from the ’90s, although some of the songs—such as the track entitled “The Celestials”—reflect some of the complex and softer tones that are reminiscent of the music style of the original band lineup in album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995).
The lyrics are typical of front-man Billy Corgan’s style – poetic and introspective. Yet, unlike the earlier albums, they fail to live up to expectations. In the same track, “The Celestials,” there is a rather embarrassing, cringe-worthy moment when Corgan sings, “I’m going to love you one hundred and one per cent.”
The sound is a lot heavier in contrast to earlier albums – a lot more electronic, with less emphasis on distorted guitars, and in many ways cleaner, making it clear that though still primarily a grunge band, the band has shed some of its grunge roots and modernized, moving along with the times.
It’s been 12 years since the Pumpkins called it splits. When rumours were circulating the Internet in 2006 and 2007 that there was a possibility of a reunion, fans were simply ecstatic that one of the most influential acts of the 1990s was returning after such a long hiatus. However, reforming the band in the end became a rather sad situation with Corgan being the only original member to return. The other members refused to participate for various reasons.
Oceania is perhaps not the album fans had hoped for. And I don’t think it’s the whirlwind tour de force reunion that Corgan had hoped for, either. After all, it is not the same Pumpkins we all grew up with. But what else could we have possibly expected from a band from the ‘90s attempting to make a comeback whose only original member is the singer?
The album is not a complete disappointment. It will be on my playlist. But it’s not what I had anticipated. I still love the sound of Billy Corgan’s voice and lyrics and the music accompanying them in Oceania is not bad at all. But it’s just not how I remember the Pumpkins. There is a faint resonant tinge of the former glory that echoes throughout Oceania, but really, don’t expect too much.
The titular track from which the album takes its name did particularly catch my attention. The song opens with a symphonic synth intro reminiscent of early Pumpkins, and the melody flows smooth with prevailing mood of mystery as Corgan masterfully leads this song with his never-aging vocals. He has proven throughout the years that he still has talent as a singer and probably always will, still singing tracks in his signature classic tenor/falsetto.
Still, despite not being entirely impressed with the music, I’m looking forward to the next Smashing Pumpkins album. However, I’m finding it difficult to call the band The Smashing Pumpkins anymore as I, and many other fans, consider it more to be an extension of Corgan’s solo work. I’m hoping that some of the original band members will finally decide to get back in with the band, so that we can have a true reunion of the Pumpkins and that perhaps Corgan can take this new project a bit further.
While the album is nothing terribly special, true Smashing Pumpkins fans will buy it—and they will no doubt enjoy it—but it does not live up to its potential. Oceania is simply Corgan’s latest attempt to break The Smashing Pumpkins into the 21st century – a time it seems to be out of place in. A noble effort, but ultimately a fruitless and unfilled one.
