New Release: The Smashing Pumpkins- Beguiled

My excitement level is pretty high right now. After last week seeing Nine Inch Nails for my 19th time and now this week, the news is finally released about The Smashing Pumpkins long awaited new album! “Atum: A Rock Opera In Three Acts”. The 33-track collection, whose title is pronounced “autumn,” is being billed as a sequel to 1995’s “Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness” and 2000’s “Machina/The Machine of God”. The LP will be released as three 11-track “acts”, eventually culminating in a three-act rock opera. Act 1 of “Atum” will arrive on November 15 2022, Act 2 on January 31 2023, and Act 3 will be made available, along with a special-edition box set featuring all 33 album tracks plus 10 additional unreleased songs, on April 21, 2023. “Atum: A Rock Opera In Three Acts” was written and recorded over a four-year period by Corgan and the rest of the current SMASHING PUMPKINS lineup: guitarists James Iha and Jeff Schroeder, plus drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

The first single “Beguiled” is out now and features a video that was made and performed live on TikTok of all places. And to make things even more interesting,  Billy Corgan will premiere a new track every week for the next 33 weeks on his new podcast, “Thirty-Three With William Patrick Corgan”. The first two episodes, featuring the songs “Atum” and “Butterfly Suite”, are out now.

Not only is this exciting but The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction tour starts next week and runs through November. What a show that will be. I know I’ll be attending it. See you there!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Beguiled:

Best Guitar Solos: The Smashing Pumpkins- Cherub Rock

Billy Corgan is truly one of the best songwriters of all time (you can argue with me if you want but, you will lose). One thing I do want to point out is what an underrated guitar player he is. In the past few years I’ve done a huge deep dive into every Smashing Pumpkins album and b-side and it’s astounding that he’s never been truly recognized for his playing. From Gish all the way to CYR, there’s a choice solo on each album and then some. One of the ones I’ve always loved is the solo on “Cherub Rock” from Siamese Dream. It’s a simple solo but it is so perfect with the song. The guitar tone and the effects on the song is another bit that makes it great. Interestingly, “Cherub Rock” was one of the last songs written for Siamese Dream. The prominent effect part of the solo was by recorded to two different tapes which were then run simultaneously, with the speed of one tape slightly altered. It’s such a fitting part of the song and live, it’s even better! Take moment and appreciate this great song and tremendous playing!

The Smashing Pumpkins- Cherub Rock:

The Smashing Pumpkins- Cherub Rock (Live/1993):

Alternate Versions: Billy Corgan- Tonight, Tonight (Acoustic)

I’ve spent a lot of the past year or so doing a huge deep delve into The Smashing Pumpkins and rekindling my love for this band. It’s been pretty obvious, if you haven’t been able to tell by all the posts. Being able to watch so many different live performances of the Pumpkins of just Billy solo throughout the years has been truly awesome. There are so many great shows online as well as individual performances of certain songs. The other evening as I was falling asleep, I somehow wound up thinking about the song “Tonight, Tonight” and found myself drawn into a rabbit hole of different versions of the song on YouTube. One such performance really grabbed me for some reason and that would be from back in 2012 when Billy appeared on the Howard Stern show and performed “Tonight, Tonight” at Howard’s request and gave a little history on the song. This alternate version has been stuck with me and now you can enjoy it with me!

Billy Corgan- Tonight, Tonight on The Howard Stern Show/2012:

 

Classic Soundtracks: Ransom

The 1996 movie Ransom, has something very cool about it that a lot of people don’t know. Ready for this, there are seven songs written for the film that Billy Corgan wrote and performed on. Originally, Howard Shore wrote and recorded a full score for the film but Director Ron Howard rejected it and went with notable composer James Horner instead, who collaborated with Billy Corgan. As a result, there are 7 tracks written, produced and performed by Corgan that all appear on Ransom’s soundtrack; namely “Lizards,” “Rats,” “Rats With Tails,” “Spiders,” “Squirrels,” “Worms 1” and “Worms With Vocals.” The end result are these 7 songs that are pretty spectacular and badass. This is definitely worth checking out!

 

Alternate Versions: Billy Corgan- Stand Inside Your Love (Acoustic)

For quite a while now, I’ve been delving deeper and deeper into The Smashing Pumpkins and Billy Corgan catalog. Along the way, I’ve discovered a plethora of songs that I forgot about and rediscovered my love of this band and what a truly great songwriter Billy is. One of the songs that I’ve really obsessed over is “Stand Inside Your Love” from the Machina album. Every time I come across a different version of this song, I get chills and find myself lost in a trance. This is truly an amazing song. Here’s a live solo acoustic version of it that I absolutely adore.

 

Billy Corgan- Stand Inside Your Love (Acoustic):

 

Cover Song: Billy Corgan- Wrecking Ball

I’m not really a fan of “pop” music but, I can recognize a good song when I hear it. The song “Wrecking Ball” is one of those songs that are so well written and put together. Every now and then when I hear it, I can’t help but stop and listen. While on a recent deep dive into The Smashing Pumpkins and all things related to William Patrick Corgan, I came across a few live performances of him covering “Wrecking Ball” and I couldn’t help but listen to them all. His voice and arrangements really fit perfectly with this song. When you listen, you could almost get the sense that this is something he could have written in the early to mid 2000’s, around the time of Zwan. So, here it is for you to enjoy.

 
William Patrick Corgan- Wrecking Ball:

 

From The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon:

 

2019 End Of The Year List: Best Guitarist

Next up on Audioeclectica.com’s 2019 End Of The Year Lists, the Top 10 Guitarists. The stipulation is that, an album/EP had to have been released this year.

Vote for your favorite in the comments section. At the end of the month, I will release the results of the readers poll.

This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!

01) Nick Lee- Moon Tooth
02) Adam McGrath- Nomad Stones
03) Ben Levin- Bent Knee
04) Adam Tanbouz- He Is Legend
05) William Patrick Corgan-
06) Logan Gaval- Greet Death
07) Mike McGinnis- Low Dose
08) Cory Brim- Glassing
09) Ben Verellen- Helms Alee
10) Mario Quintero- Spotlights

Album Review: The Smashing Pumpkins- Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol. I

The Smashing Pumpkins came back in 2018 with a vengeance. Their “reunion” tour was outstanding. The 3 hour set of nothing but songs from the beginning of their career till Machina was something special. Everything about it was spectacular. William Patrick Corgan sounded marvelous and having Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha back with him along with long time cohort, Jeff Schroeder and new comers Jack Bates and Katie Cole added to the truly great experience. When it was announced that the Pumpkins were coming back, WPC, mentioned that there would be new music, and that day is upon us. Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I is here and it’s a delight. It’s everything you’ve ever loved about The Smashing Pumpkins and more.

Starting the album off with “Knights Of Malta” was a superb choice. The song not only sets a tone but it features a groove and melody that will have you swaying and singing along in no time. I have a feeling that this song will fast become a fan favorite and a live staple for years to come. “Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)” is a pure classic Pumpkins song. Parts of it hark back to the Siamese Dream era but, it’s modern and current without relying so much on nostalgia. WPC sounds dreamy on this song, and Jimmy Chamberlain’s playing is subtle yet commanding. The riff and melody to this song is something that will stay in your head for years to come. “Travels” is a sweet mid tempo song with introspective lyrics. The guitar melodies on this song have a warming and calm tone which gives this song more depth. “Solara” is another classic Pumpkins song. This track is a beast and live it kicks even more ass.  “Alienation” is one of those “deep cut” songs that will have audiences wanting for it live. It’s a beautiful song through and through. “Marchin’ On” kicks the moment it comes in. It’s got an anger and urgency to it just as “Zero” did when that song was first released. This is another that is sure to be a fan favorite. “With Sympathy” has a delicate nature to it. The guitars glisten along with WPC’s vibrant vocals and words. Closing out this volume is “Seek and You Shall Destroy.” This track has a very cool mid 90’s Pumpkins vibe to it but, again isn’t retreating to the nostalgia of it all. Seek sounds like the band in today’s world without losing the roots of what the band is about.

 
All in all Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I is a terrific collection of songs. I wouldn’t say it’s an “album” per say but, it was sequenced in a way that does flow in a way as an album. Having Jimmy and James back in the band is a welcome return. The songs sound like Pumpkins songs because of how they play and treat the songs. Over the years Jeff Schroeder has been able to tap into that “style” and on this album, he’s right there along with James and WPC to make the songs even bigger. This is a welcome return to form for WPC and company. Shiny and Oh So Bright is full of songs that as I mentioned will become fan favorites and live staples for years to come. The Smashing Pumpkins have never been a band that has needed to resort to rehashing the past and this album solidifies that. I can’t wait for the next tour they do so I can hear these songs live. If you ever gave up on The Smashing Pumpkins, Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I, will bring you back into the fold and you’ll fall in love with the band all over again.

 
Overall Rating: 9/10

 
Knights of Malta:

 

 
Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts):

 

 
Travels:

 

 
Solara:

 

 

 

Alienation:

 

 
Marchin’ On:

 

 
With Sympathy:

 

 
Seek and You Shall Destroy:

 

Anticipated Albums: The Smashing Pumpkins- Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol I

 

 

The Smashing Pumpkins are a few weeks away from releasing their new album, Shiny and Oh So Bright Volume I (out November 16). This first collection of songs is the first in over 19 years with William Patrick Corgan (he has stopped going by Billy), Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha. The first two songs released so far, “Solara” and “Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)” are fantastic songs that sound modern but still hark back to the bands heyday. There is a planned Volume II that is supposed to be released later on next year along with a full length tour.
The Smashing Pumpkins- Solara:

 

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts):

 

Classic Soundtracks: Spun

Way back in 2001 after the break up of The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain formed a new band called Zwan. There was two sides to the band and the more acoustic based side was called The Djali Zwan.  Then in 2002, Billy was approached by visionary director Jonas Akerlund to create the music for his upcoming film Spun. A slew of original songs were written by Billy, as well as different approaches to a variety of other songs like a very stripped down version of Iron Maiden’s “The Number Of The Beast.” The film would go on to become a sort of cult movie but, the soundtrack is one of those sought after items for many fans of Corgan’s. These songs have taken on a life of their own and really helped to give a vibe to the film.

 

Spun Soundtrack: