The title of The Smashing Pumpkins’ new album is Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.. That’s about as long as the period between this album and the latest to feature founding members Billy Corgan, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, which was 2000’s Machina / The Machines Of God. As widely reported, bassist D’arcy Wretzky is absent from the new recordings, but long-time guitarist Jeff Schroeder fills her shoes.

The new, Rick Rubin produced long player includes the singles Solara, Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) and the beautiful Knights Of Malta, but Alienation is my absolute favourite. Although the piano melody only consists of two notes, it helps build the song. The same goes for the acoustic guitar and the drums, actually, and James Iha probably didn’t have to study hard for his bass part either. Still, with its added strings and trademark electric guitar, this is a Smashing Pumpkins song by the book, that goes from strength to strength until it ends with the same two repeated piano notes it started with.

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Werner Schlosser

I’m a music industry watcher and journalist. Worked at a CD club, a record store chain and was editor in chief of an entertainment trade magazine. Have been in the radio business since 1987, producing and presenting shows. Was music director of several stations. Also, I developed the European Border Breakers Chart, Music Moves Europe Talent Chart and ESNS Chart. CEO of Werner Bros. tekst | uitleg.