Smashing Pumpkins announce UK shows
Yes! Billy Corgan is back this summer with a handful of shows in the UK this Summer.
The rock legends return for 3 live shows in July, including Wembley Arena, and the tickets go on sale this Fri Feb 1.
The band will be visiting:
01 Manchester, Academy
02 Glasgow, O2 Academy
22 London, Wembley Arena
Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania
Back with their 9th studio album, the powerhouse that is Smashing Pumpkins bring us Oceania. An ‘album within an album’, a ‘non-album’, a ‘concept album’, it has been called many things and has been highly anticipated by fans everywhere.
The many devoted followers and most others will truly know that Oceania is the work of one man, Billy Corgan. He writes all the songs, plays most of the instruments in recording and he is in complete control over who he lets into the band, and they are well known for line up changes. Only Corgan remains from the bands original line up that brought them to fame. In recent times he has attempted a solo album with little success, stick the Smashing Pumpkins title on it however and it becomes a whole other story.
Oceania is laden with electronica, but doesn’t seem to go too overboard, it doesn’t sound overproduced, more sort of stripped back. The path chosen seems to compliment Corgan’s voice extremely well and his signature nasally sound shins through the melody.
Opener Quasar is one of the heavier tracks on the album which is very welcome, it is powerful from the very beginning. Title track Oceania is an epic piece of music running at just over 9 minutes long, definitely the stand out track on the album, full of twists and turns, Corgan should be proud of this one.
In many ways this new record is the best Pumpkins have done for a long time, quite new sounding, but also very much in tune with their original sound. Although at the same time it doesn’t really leave you with a lasting impression, its an easy one to take or leave. However Pale Horse is gorgeous as is My Love Is Winter, you cannot question Billy’s ability to write a great song.
The thing with Oceania I there has been far too focus on the ‘concept’ of it all, or lack of, it takes it all away from the music a little too much. Truth it, it is too boring to concentrate on all of that, just listen to the music and let it speak for itself.
Caris Smith
Seeing as our last set seemed so popular, here are a few more of our favourite ‘Grunge’ albums. Again, let us know your opinion on what you think are the best!
Temple of the Dog - Temple of the Dog
Love Battery - Between The Eyes
Mudhoney - Piece of Cake
Pearl Jam - Vs
Alice In Chains - Facelift
Hole - Pretty On The Inside
Nirvana - In Utero
Skin Yard - Fist Sized Chinks
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
