7 Years Ago...

Not since the year 2000 have The Smashing Pumpkins released an album. Machina, The Machines of God was their last, making the top 100 ARIA Chart Albums of 2000 and also went Gold in Australia with 35,000 units of Machina sold. Machina II, The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music was an independent internet-based release and didn't help to quell ill feelings for the band's breakup.

Now, on July 10th, 2007 comes the US-release of Zeitgeist; the sixth official album from my favourite band of all time, The Smashing Pumpkins.

I acquired the album about a week ago and pre-ordered a limited edition CD and book as well. I have had this album on in the car and on my iPod for days, playing track after track. It's like the Pumpkins never really had a break, the music is still just as brilliant and shimmery.

I hear the squeal of high pitch guitars over the crunchy riffs and beating bass, I hear Billy Corgan belting out the anger like he was 20-something again. That unforgettable whiney voice... with well articulated words, takes me back to Mellon Collie days when rock was the scene.

Oh my, they're back rockin' up the big stuff like they used to, without being unfriendly to radio. Mainstream won't be too impressed, but the alternative stations will be digging it.

Doomsday Clock - an excellent opener track with a belter of a beat, simple guitars and raw Billy vocals.

7 Shades of Black - a more vocally oriented track, with hidden guitar support. Very old school Pumpkins style, they sound like it was recorded it Billy's garage. I rate this track.

Bleeding the Orchid - a darker choral work, Billy's voice is heavy and sad and layered. Excellent follow on from the preceding rockers.

That's the Way (My Love Is) - a lighter effort but guitars are still thick. It's a love song! But works up to Tarantula nicely.

Tarantula - guitar harmonics and reverse vox make this an obvious radio winner. Not so typical of the traditional Pumpkins vibe, but they pull it off. I wouldn't have made this the first single off the album, but it rocks and it's gotten people's attention.

Starz - my favourite song on the album. Classic Pumpkin backbeat, accented with "we are, we are starz" in a way that only Billy could do. Lots of great bridge arrangements, guitars quietly fighting in the background, drums crescendo, voice gets louder, first guitar comes in... it peaks and again, "we are, we are starz". A short but wonderful drum solo also in this track and then more Pumpkins energy. Not a long track, but I sincerely hope this becomes the second single. It will do better than Tarantula.

United States - the epic. It can't be a true Pumpkins album without the epic. Previous epic tracks include Rhinoceros (Gish), Silverfuck (Siamese Dream), Porcelina of the Vast Oceans (Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness), For Martha (Adore) and Glass and the Ghost Children (Machina, The Machines of God). This almost 10-minute effort highlights the unique sound that the Smashing Pumpkins produce. Instrumental solos with lots of effects and changes in tone and mood. The title of the track? Don't really get it. Then again, see previous "epic" titles...

Neverlost - a softie. An easy to listen to track that makes you tap your feet. Simple in sound, gentle in delivery. A good transition from United States.

Bring the Light - the one that's hard to explain. It's a track that does a little bit of everything. I did notice that "light, bring the light" gets repeated a lot. I found this a little frustrating, but still a good track. It's upbeat and has a good (but short) guitar solo.

(Come On) Let's Go! - another radio-ready track. A little more melodious compared to the other heavier rock tracks on the album. Can't complain about it, but not my favourite.

For God and Country - the political statement. This song has more focus on lyrics, but still consists of an interesting mix of heavy beats, light vocals and electronic sounds and effects. Some piano in this track, something that struck me, seeing as Machina had a LOT of piano. The track is a little long winded, but nice.

Pomp and Circumstances - the finale. The "laa-laa" lullabye feel of this track with the subtle background gong makes this a great finale. Guitars roar over the top and it brings back the Adore feel (For Martha) adding gentle closure to this fantastic album. This track is like a big warm hug. *Roll credits*

They're back, they still look daggy, and they fucking rock your socks off.

Zeitgeist, by the Smashing Pumpkins is released in Australia on July 14th, 2007.
Go get it, its the best album you haven't listened to yet.