A&E

[Alt-rock]

CD review: The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Oceania’

Image

The Details

The Smashing Pumpkins
Oceania

Since late 2009, Smashing Pumpkins mastermind Billy Corgan has been quietly releasing songs one at a time via the band’s website, as part of a planned 44-song concept album called Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. The new Pumpkins collection Oceania is billed as an “album within an album,” as part of Teargarden, and it continues that project’s affinity for classic rock and psychedelia, with a mellower sound than the Pumpkins have typically been known for.

Songs like “Violet Rays,” “One Diamond, One Heart” and “Wildflower” are slow and trippy, and even the heavier rock songs have a woozy, dreamy quality. That can also make them limp and unfocused, and while there are a handful of catchy, energetic songs on Oceania (notably the excellent “My Love Is Winter”), it’s mostly unremarkable, with Corgan and his latest bandmates offering little that distinguishes the album from the larger, similarly inconsistent project surrounding it.

Share

Previous Discussion:

  • The Tony Award-winning musical “Follies” will take the stage at Access Showroom at Aliante Casino & Hotel for six performances starting on April 11.

  • Since opening at the Linq Promenade in March 2014, Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas has been a destination for some of the best and most under-appreciated ...

  • Sagittarius, for your own selfish sake, you need to pour out more adoration and care and compassion than you ever have before.

  • Get More A&E Stories
Top of Story