Shiny and Oh so Bright, Vol. 1 No Past. No Future. No Sun.

He smashes expectations. The opening track Knights of Malta does this immediately with a distinctively light, upbeat atmosphere. This album's aesthetic is deliberate. Corgan's views on pop and the industry are well documented. So why embrace that sound, alienate his base, and not release a Siamese/ Mellon Collie part 2? (They easily could.) Because he's making a grander statement at the risk of being misunderstood, and he's orchestrating the trajectory of his legacy. He's a performance artist on a Bowie/ Kanye tier. When you think about it, incorporating pop and subverting expectations of his fans that he obviously knows how to please is very punk. Its a proverbial spit in the face. It's an integrity reminiscent of Dylan and Young. Critics only listening to the album on a surface level and not considering his deeper intentions begs the question: What qualifies you to be rock critics at all? Lyrical and musical clues hint Volume 2 will pick up right where Seek and You Shall Destroy left off and be the old-school pleaser album you all have been waiting for. In the meantime, we have this collection of immediate Pumpkins tracks to muse over. Billy's lyrics here are deceptive, vulnerable, cynical, hopeful, and at times theres a hint of nostalgia. He sings with a gorgeously developed vibrato and bravado, and he arranges with that musical intuition he's always excelled at. Jimmy Chamberlain performs with a restraint and versatility that demonstrates the spectrum of his abilities. James Iha's angelic fills and subtle textures remind us why he is such an integral part of that Pumpkins sound. And to me Jeff Schroeder is the 5th Pumpkin, and his welcome involvement really helps fill out the music. And a respectful nod to Jack Bates, who compliments the band's sound exceptionally. I have a sneaking suspicion D'arcy will be back for Volume 2 and the new tour after a year of warming up. I might be wrong... Speculation, come on get ourselves together... /end of most pretentious review ever

This is the comeback from these guys. Sorry that D'Arcy ain't here, but this is what they sound like, not like what Zwan, or Billy solo, or 1/2 Pumpkins - this is what the band sounds like. And it sounds good. Corgan's vocals have never been better, he's even moderated the nasality, and the guitar playing is heavy rhythms, altho' I could dug more soling. Great rhythm section - Chamberlin is till a monster. What folks might be gonna not like - and I luv - is the Rick Rubin production, dry and almost demoey in it's lack of special FX - no cathedral drums or years-long delays, altho there is a little Hendrixy panning, and plenty of loud-soft-loud, and the occasional surprising keys/strings and BVs. I give it 4.5/5 olives, and call it my 3rd fave SP album already.

In the fall of 1993 MTV began rotating the video for Smashing Pumpkins' "Today". At that time, I hated grunge, and the new alternative music movement. "Today" was no different. I remember thinking who are Smashing Pumpkins? Billy Corgan looked like a hippie throwback in that video, and the song was irritating. Over time, the song's melody grew on me, and by the time "Disarm" was released, I had a passing interest. You see, I grew up in the 1980's, where 'grunge' was punk or metal and not some hybrid. It took several months before I bought "Siamese Dream" in 1994. I don't even think I was aware of their debut, 1991's "Gish". So, in 1995, when "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" began its rotation on MTV, followed by the release of the double-album "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" (which I bought on day 1) I finally gave myself over to the Pumpkins. However, I have always remained critical of the band--"Gish" was slight, "Siamese Dream" was uneven, "Mellon Collie" was bloated, "Adore" was bloated and uneven, "Machina" was bloated and uneven, "Zeitgeist" was bloated and boring, but "Oceania" in 2012 was different, followed by the slight "Monuments to an Elegy" in 2014 (these last two albums were apparently the result of a grander scale idea called "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope" which never fully materialized. All the while, I have believed that Billy Corgan is Smashing Pumpkins whether he formed another band like Zwan, or put out two solo albums under his own name. He is the key. So with James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin back in the fold, we get "Shiny and Oh So Bright"--an obnoxiously long pompous title for a 'comeback' album that I don't really see as a comeback since Billy Corgan has periodically released Smashing Pumpkins albums every 4-5 years. The longest gap was 2000-2007 in which Corgan did Zwan and a solo album. So he's never really gone away to create a 'comeback' situation. Plus, D'arcy Wretzky hasn't played nice. What the Pumpkins do right on "Shiny and Oh So Bright" is dispense with past bloat. This is a short album of 8 relatively short songs. Perfect. They also got producer Rick Rubin on board. Perfect. These are strengths. Mid-range strengths consist of not drastically changing their sound to fit the current times. This is both a plus and minus. It's a chance to reassert, but it's a wasted opportunity to experiment and grow. This is safe Pumpkins music. Also, Corgan manages to bring the angst back, which is also a plus and minus because he's been there, done that, but the last few Pumpkins albums really needed more angst and darkness. The bad? The band couldn't mend fences with all original members. This is the worst charting Pumpkins album since their 1991 debut. They should have gone with a major label to get that promotion behind it. I suppose this album might feel slight to fans. For me, I liked it. Easily four stars. None of the songs are bad, though "Knights of Malta" has Corgan engaging in a baby cry throughout the song which is a bit obnoxious. Generally, if "Shiny and Oh So Bright" is any indication of more Pumpkins music in the future, my interest in piqued. This is the first album since "Machina" that sounds cohesive, barring "Oceania" which I have a sweet spot for. Here's how "Shiny and Oh So Bright" compares to the Pumpkins other works: 1991 Gish: Two and a Half Stars 1993 Siamese Dream: Three Stars 1995 Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness: Four Stars 1998 Adore: Three and a Half Stars 2000 Machina/The Machines Of God: Three and a Half Stars 2002 Zwan [by Zwan]: Three and a Half Stars 2005 TheFutureEmbrace [by Billy Corgan]: Three Stars 2007 Zeitgeist: Three Stars 2012 Oceania: Three and a Half Stars 2014 Monuments To An Elegy: Three Stars 2017 Ogilala [by William Patrick Corgan]: Three and a Half Stars 2018 Shiny and Oh So Bright: Three and a Half Stars

Old fan here since the "Today" video aired on MTV every 45 or so minutes. I'm not going to lie, on first listen I thought the opening track "Knights of Malta" was garbage and was going to be a clear indication that what follows would also be garbage. But after several listens of this very short 8-song journey, not only did "Knights of Malta" grow on me, but it is also one of my favorites from this record. "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)" has a very "1979" vibe but at the same time does its own thing and doesn't try to be a remake. "Travels" is an appropriately named slightly slower-paced feel-good driving song. The obvious standout track is "Solara" reminiscent of SP's cover of "You're All I've Got Tonight" with a little bit of "United States" 'jungle-drumming. I've been an SP fan since Siamese Dream and I *finally* saw SP in concert for this first time this spring/summer (may 2022), and I was pleased but not surprised to hear an extended version of Solara being played, with a lengthy drum solo in the middle. "Alienation" is an interesting one that would blend in well on several albums including Mellon Collie, Adore, Machina, or Oceania. "Marchin' On" cranks up the fuzz and returns to the grungy hard rock side of the Pumpkins. Continuing the softer/harder pattern closes out the record with the final two tracks. "With Sympathy" might be my least favorite but does remind me of another song of theirs which title escapes me at the moment. "Seek And You Shall Destroy" is 2 1/2 minutes of pure goodness that left me wanting more at its abrupt end. For the record, I loved Oceania, but not so much Monuments To An Elegy. I didn't like Cyr at all. Everything from Gish & Lull to Zeitgeist are perfect classics in my eyes.

Having seen the Pumpkins 2x on the latest tour, couldn’t wait for the new album. They have laid down an excellent album. Produced by Rick Rubin-you knew it would be good. It’s great to see a band that continues to explore new music, while keeping close to what we grew up with. Definitely recommend. As always, Pumpkins albums need to be listened to 2-3x. The Vinyl rocks.

This "LP" has a good mix of signature Pumpkin style(s). While there is not too much say from the Siamese Dream era, there are some rockin' songs that have a Zeitgeist/Zwan feel to them. I love listening to the new musical output from Corgan just to see where he is going next. Also, this is, hopefully, just the beginning of the output from the original band members and if you have been listening to the Pumpkins as long as I have, you know that's magic. If you have matured with the band over the years, I think you will find this offering well worth it. The only thing missing is a track with the Frogs.

Sigh....I love the Pumpkins, buy everything they put out including the (fantastic) remasters, and will honestly continue to buy whatever they put out but, if Im being honest, this CD was a disappointment. I guess with the return of 2 of the original members I set my expectations way too high. Frankly, after listening to it I have no desire to listen to it again. What I hoped for with the return of James Iha was plenty of heavy guitar-laden songs but it seems they opted for a more orchestral sound. The CD also sounds more like pop than rock to me and overly produced and "tinny". I can't really describe it but Billy's vocals just don't sound the same as before. I would probably describe this as a collection of b-sides from the Teagarden sessions. I hate to speak poorly of this band. I love them so much and each member has more talent in their little finger than I do in my whole body but I'm just so tired of being disappointed.

Honestly this is a good record. I don’t like Rick Rubin, but in spite of him this is still enjoyable because the songs are good. A couple songs are a little poppy but even they are pretty good. Overall it’s a strong release that needs a few listens to fully appreciate. I’m actually looking forward to volume 2, and that’s the enthusiasm I’ve been waiting to get from their music for a long time.

Happy with my purchase

Poco ma buono. Sono solo poco più di 30 minuti ma non c'è un secondo sprecato in questo album che si ascolta tutto d'un fiato, senza un attimo di noia. Orecchiabili tutti motivi, pur nella loro raffinatezza. Non per questo stancano dopo qualche ascolto. Ne ho inserito almeno 4 nella mia ultima playlist per correre. Ok, non essendo un ragazzino, devo precisare che non vado molto veloce!

Produto chegou sem problemas. Qualidade do Smashing continua cada vez melhor!!

El disco está bien aunque dista de los mejores tiempos de los Smashing; me parece un poco corto; solo para fans del grupo

As a long-time Pumpkin's fan, I thought this album was a good effort. Some songs are really good, even reminding me of the earlier songs from the first CD's. Heard they're working on a new album, looking forward the getting that one as well.