First Impressions: Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist

Smashing Pumpkins - Zeitgeist (Reprise)

Release Date: 07/07/07

Tracklisting:

1. Doomsday Clock [3:41]
2. 7 Shades Of Black [3:15]
3. Orchid [3:58]
4. That's The Way [3:44] <- KEY TRACK
5. Tarantula [3:47]
6. Starz [3:41]
7. United States [9:50]
8. Never Lost [4:13] <- KEY TRACK
9. Bring The Light [3:35]
10. Come On (Let's Go) [3:15]
11. For God And Country [4:51]
12. Pomp And Circumstance [4:18]

Background:

• Produced by Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin, with Roy Thomas Baker and Terry Date working separately on various tracks.

• Billed as a "reunion", though only Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin are present.

• It's the first Smashing Pumpkins album since 2000's Machina suite. In the interm Corgan has done one Zwan album and one solo album.

First Impressions:

• Tracks #1 thru #7 are all aggresive, up-tempo guitar rock except for #4, "That's The Way", which is our guess for 1st single as it's the most "pop" track with a catchy verse and chorus.

• "Never Lost" is one of the only ballad-y tracks. Like many of the Pumpkins' classics, it is low-key, but still driven by its composition and melodies. Plus there are strings.

• The last two tracks are the only ones which are keyboard driven, with "Pomp And Circumstance" sporting timpani drums, choir-like vocals and squelching guitar.

• Corgan's signature guitar tone is still as rich and forceful as it ever was.

• As we have seen with the new lineup, Corgan's voice is what (supposedly) defines the Smashing Pumpkins as a band. But, much like in Zwan, here it seems that his natural angst is somewhat artificial and his screaming seems mellow in comparison the Pumpkins of the past.

Prediction:

• With the recent commercial success of new bands like Silversun Pickups, it's uncertain whether or not the those outside the core SP fanbase will feel the need to reacquaint themselves with Smashing Pumpkins.

Comments

i am so pumped for THE SMASHING PUMPKINS return!!!

[JG]

Thing is, Silversun Pickups really don't sound like the Pumpkins (not enough of a Sabbath influence). I'm not worried.....it could be good

[torr]

it's not that SSPU sound-like like SP, it's that they fill a similar niche on modern-rock format stations, and thus a piece of the mainstream.

[Devi Ever]

Where is the leak?

leak prz

[BOP]

I think this might be the most pumped I've ever been...I need to go lie down.

[Ben]

This is pretty terrific.

...leak plz

[Nesretep]

We NEED more detailed song descriptions! Come on, this is one of the most anticipated releases of the year, give us some specifics.

Also, the "Prediction" is unbelievably non-committal. Is the album good or not?

[Nesretep]

PS: Silversun Pickups!? Smashing Pumpkins are without a doubt one of the greatest bands of the last 20 years; it's laughable to compare them to some My Bloody Valentine clone.

and where are your impressions? is it good or bad to you?

[ladeda]

The Silversun Pickups comparison is really stupid. First of all, they don't sound anything alike. Just because both vocalists have a similar voice does not mean the bands are the same. Secondly, to actually think Silversun Pickups are going to saturate the Pumpkins' potential is laughable, and vice-versa. Don't keep running with that meaningless crap when you actually review this album. The impressions seem pretty informative otherwise, but that was just a really dumb thing to say.

I for one am very excited to hear Zeitgeist. The Pumpkins will no doubt turn out one of the decade's best rock albums. Say what you will, but Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin are a force to be reckoned with. Chamberlin is also living proof that Billy does NOT call all the shots; those two are the Page and Plant of the band.

While no James Iha and Darcy may be disappointing, a reunion is indeed possible without them. They allowed the Pumpkins to remain the Pumpkins for the Adore album and tour, because they were important. But Jimmy Chamberlin is the band's "secret weapon" and most talented member, as Corgan has admitted himself in the past. I'd much rather have the Pumpkins be just Billy and Jimmy at the core, and not Billy, James, and Darcy with a drummer that could never fill Jimmy's shoes.

[sal]

silversun pickups sound like early smashing pumpkins. deal with it!

[ladeda]

Um, no they don't. Caravanas and Gish are not alike at all. I like Silversun Pickups, but as someone who has been listening to the Pumpkins since 1995, I can tell you that there are no similarities. Even the Pumpkins' pre-Gish material does not sound like Silversun Pickups. Deal with it.

[ladeda]

I bet sal is going to tell me that My Chemical Romance sounds like early Pumpkins, too. LOL.

[Chuck]

Silversun Pickups is absolutely the shittiest fucking band I've ever heard in my entire fucking life and sound like a mediocre photocopy of My Bloody Valetine.

Smashing Pumpkins are one of the most underrated bands ever: Billy Corgan is a waaaaay underrated guitarist, Jimmy Chamberlin is one of rock's ALL-TIME greatest drummers, and Siamese Dream is one of rock's greatest ALL-TIME albums. Why do they never get any respect and get compared to shitty hipster bands like SSP and awful emo garbage like My Chemical Romance?

[ladeda]

Chuck: Because the Pumpkins are a snobby indie fan's worst nightmare: A band that could have very well remained independent but figured out a way to sell out but still do whatever the hell they wanted. I like a lot of indie, but some fans and reviewers act ridiculous.

The Pumpkins are not as popular as they were in, say, 1993-1997. That's why I can't understand how so many people throw a hissy fit every time Billy Corgan does something. They claim him to be irrelevant and doing something stupid; why waste so much time complaining if supposedly no one cares? A lot of music journalists and Internet bedroom critics alike love to use this guy as a punching bag, and it just doesn't make sense. Especially now.

The lame comparisons to My Chemical Romance and Silversun Pickups are typical of any music publication, as they're always looking for bands that "sound like" older ones. It's about as worn out as "top ___ of all time" articles, and the trend needs to die.

[Jenn]

With the recent commercial success of new bands like Silversun Pickups...

It's a casual comparison. It got ya'll to react to the article, which is what they're looking for. Well done on feeding it.

[Kilredstar30]

I used to play in a band that played shows on a regular basis with the Silversun Pickups in Silverlake from 2001 to 2004… I had several arguments with Brian the lead singer of the Silversun Pickups in regards to the best Pumpkins album. He claimed he was a big fan of the Pumpkins but thought their only good album that was worth listening too was Gish.
He had some theory that the only good album any band makes is their first album. Every album after that was irrelevant because the rawness of the music was gone if the band became successful. If he still believes that he might as well not make a second album with the Silversun Pickups because it will not be as good as their first official album Caravanas.

At the time his band sounded like a crappy psychedelic version of Gish. The first incarnation of the band was a Gish rip off because he based his sound off of the Gish. So it is easy to see there is a Smashing Pumpkins Gish influence… though it is not as apparent in their newer music. It’s fine to say the Silversun Pickups are influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins, but it is not ok to compare them to the Smashing Pumpkins or even put them in the same league as the Pumpkins

[Michael]

Sorry but the Silversun Pickups not only dont sound like the Pumpkins, they sound crap. Silversun Pickups are not good. I really dont see the relevance of the Silversun pickups, the Pumpkins are above them.

[spencer]

Sorry but the Silversun Pickups not only dont sound like the Pumpkins, So it is easy to see there is a Smashing Pumpkins Gish influence… Silversun Pickups is absolutely the shittiest fucking band I've ever heard in my entire fucking life and Silversun pickups sound like early smashing pumpkins. deal with it! um, no they don't. Caravanas and Gish are not alike at all. The Silversun Pickups comparison is really stupid. First of all, they don't sound anything alike. Silversun pickups sound like early smashing pumpkins. deal with it!

[Mase WKZQ]

I really don't think SSPU's sound that much like the Pumpkins. I think "Lazy Eye" sounds like "1979", but that is it. I am excited for the new Pumpkins album...although they might as well call it ZWAN without James Iha.

[ladeda]

the actual songs Zwan did , save Spilled Milk and maybe a couple others, were not very pumpkins-like. Sure you had Billy's voice but that can't be changed.

[Don K]

I dont understand why everyones getting so angry about the Silversun Pickups comparisson....

I was a die hard Pumpkins fan. When I first heard the Silversun Pickups single on the radio I thought instantly "wow, this sounds like it belongs on Pisces Iscariot" and never once heard anyone else compare the two....so it's definitely there, let it go. It's not the same band, I think everyone knows that - but the guitar tones, the way the song was written, the melody, the 90's style rock, - it sure did remind me instantly of SP and I wasnt basing that at all on the vocals.

[Hitler]

Smashing Pumpkins + Silversun Pickups + My Chemical Romance in the same sentence... that sounds as good as -> I + Like + Eating + Sh** + For + Breakfast...

go find a fuc**** soul you idiot

[SP fan]

SP is waaaay better than SP you c*nts.