Album review: Monuments To An Elegy (The Smashing Pumpkins)

SINGAPORE — Billy Corgan is The Smashing Pumpkins. That fact should been pretty evident by now if, by some chance, it wasn’t made clear to you during the band’s ‘90s heyday. Since The Smashing Pumpkins’ revival in 2006, Corgan has been bullish in recording new material despite the bearish nature of the music industry. Thus, in late 2009, Corgan announced a multi-album cycle with first instalment Oceania released to acclaim in 2012. This is the follow-up, with Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee guest performing on drums and other permanent Pumpkins member Jeff Schroeder on guitars. The new album does not stray too far from the formula: Pop melodies intersect with heavy instrumentation flooded with multiple layers of electric guitars. Being Beige is pristine, One And All is metallic and Drum + Fife is Celtic in tone, which emphasises Corgan’s eclectic approach. That said, the music is still a far cry from the heady days of the band and thus is purely recommended for diehards only.