The Smashing Pumpkins: Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.
Hello! Today i was hoping to tackle another really heavy album but nothing really peaked my interest this morning. Instead i will tackle a newer album from The Smashing Pumpkins that is short but interesting. This album is notable for being a mostly full reunion with the original line up minus the bassist due to unresolved tensions. This was originally intended to be a series of eps released but was instead combined into a full album; thus being their shortest release yet. It does prove to be an interesting release and will bare an expectedly stronger melodic rock focus as opposed to the heavy psychedelic roots in the last couple albums. It will as a result feel more focused in terms of writing and should leave you guys with a brief but hopefully interesting album to sink your teeth into. Enjoy!
Knights of Malta (Single): We begin the album classically soothing strings and echoed vocals from Billy. He arrives to deliver a firm and complex yet easygoing presence to the track. It places heavy emphasis on the lyrical structure of the track and combines with backing female vocals to give it a give of a soulful choir vibe. It’s soothing nature touches on elements of complexity and beauty that were tended to be overdone a hair on their last two albums. The conventional rock instrumentals play a standard support role leaving the vocals and classical elements as the primary focus on here. So don’t expect to see any real bashing elements from Jimmy yet (yes believe me i was ecstatic for that once i heard he was back in the band). This one is an interesting piece that still retains a good deal of risk for the album and creates a cheerful sense of relaxation without feeling like it lacks energy. 8/10
Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) (Single): This single is a highlight on the album and begins with a more pop rock/indie guitar opening that continues to build to soothing chemistry on the album and perhaps demonstrates the nature of the band’s relationship now that the members have reunited. Billy provides a trademark strength in his vocals that mesh perfectly with the melodic nature of the track. His lyrics prove to be very fluid and catchy to follow along to. It doesn’t really contain a firm chorus which enables this easygoing number to continue to cruise along at melancholy speeds.The instrumentals maintain their relaxed and supportive nature; but do take time to infuse some blissful solos that would stand out nicely live. If you are doubting the album then i would suggest checking this track out first because it will deliver a sense of structure that doesn’t contain the excess of being a Billy Corgan solo project (though he still very likely controlled most of the direction on this album as well lol). It also contains a middle-aged care-free type mood where all the drama from the past is set aside and these people are just playing for the enjoyment of it now. Whether that’s the case with their personal chemistry it’s too soon to tell; but it paints a positive picture in that aspect. 9/10
Travels: The guitars begin this track with a stronger sense of melodic force and brings a cheerful theraputic tone to the listener. Billy arrives smoothly to infuse a sense of calmness in his vocals that are a perfect remedy to listen to during one of your rougher days. The lyrics prove to be straightforward yet compelling and will provide the listener with another strong track which was smart to not waste on an ep. I do kind of wish that they would of wrote the second half of this album series and combined them; but for reintroducing the band this “small taste” of their work is not a bad move to win their old fan base over. The solo is another tastefully melodic number that sit ideal for days where you need to combat an inner tension and reach a sense of peace within yourself. So far this is proving to be one of the band’s smoothest albums in awhile. 9/10
Solara (Single): This final single for the album is also the heaviest track on the album; so expect Jimmy to finally showcase his muscular edge here. The guitars begin with a tense arrival that is rhythmic yet low at first. Billy arrives with a matching tension that delivers a nice texture to the gives; thus creating a surprisingly catchy groove for the listener to dance to. The drums bash along nicely and would probably look nice live and would be a good focal point in this track. That technicality does take a little catchiness from the chorus due to their pacing but it is still a nice trade off when you break it down. Other than that; this is not a bad piece to showcase that the band can still deliver some aggression into their music. 8/10
Alienation: The second half of this album begins with an emotionally tense yet worldly sounding key entry. Billy arrives to bring in some of his eccentric psychedelic roots. It doesn’t go overboard and keeps guitars present to deliver a fitting melody. As it ventures forward it does begin to build some Beatle like tones which will please some fans and turn off others. For me this isn’t my personal taste and touches on the excessive tastes of Billy that were dominant on their Oceania album (still a very good album but a complex listen). Because of that; this can be easily viewed as their risk offering to the listener that will combine both line up eras of the band together for the listener to compare. 7.5/10
Marchin’ On: The drums begin this one with a nice rhythm and the guitars take more of a charge in delivering a nice dose of rock energy. Billy delivers a smooth combination of angst and melodic tinge into the music for the listener to dance along to quite nicely. This will help to boost the live appeal of this track and album as a whole; while also bringing in a little extra power into the album as well. The jam segment is nice and forceful without throwing off the overall tone of the album and who wouldn’t appreciate a little extra muscle being brought in when it was appropriately called for. 8/10
With Sympathy: This next track begins a relaxing rock entrance that feels fitting with the title of the track. Billy arrives with a familiar yet smooth vocal melody; which places prominence on the theraputic tone of his voice. The lyrics fall by the wayside a bit but other than that; this is a pretty straightforward piece with the purpose of setting you up for the finale number. It’s good but too familiar to the previous songs to really prove all that memorable. 7.5/10
Seek and You Shall Destroy: This finale track starts off a raw and somewhat guitar crunch. Billy does a fair job of arriving with a grungey angst that will fit fairly well with his modern style of singing. The lyrics are a bit hard to really pick out but the cheerful emotion in his vocals are a decent element to focus on in this closing number. The aggressive nature of the drums and raw bass lines will help to create an interesting element for the listener to contemplate as this song progresses. Overall it does a decent job of giving the album an energetic and positive tone to conclude with. 8/10
Overall album rating: 8.1/10
Well this wasnt a terrible comeback performance for the band’s older lineup (minus the bassist). It was a nice tone to show the band at the middle age state enjoying what it is like to write music together again. I do wish that they would have made a double album first before releasing this because on its own; 8 tracks is far from the grandiosity that Billy is typically known for. That in itself can be a good trait and showcase that he is showing more maturity in how he interacted with his older band members verses his heyday attitude. Hopefully it winds up being a good thing the group carries on with a couple more albums to enjoy.