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Music Quickspins

QUICKSPINS – ATUM Act II by The Smashing Pumpkins

The ’90s post-grunge band releases the second act of their Opera Rock concept trilogy

The rock opera album ATUM (more like synth-wave opera) returns for Act II of III, after almost three months of anticipation since the first act. The story of said Opera Act is of an “epic interplanetary story set in the not-too-distant future,” according to Tinnitist. 

The first track is “Avalanche,” and let me just say, it could not be a sweeter start to the second act. Billy Corgan’s daughter steps into the limelight for the first 30 seconds, chanting the mantra “We hope someday we’ll find out what happiness means.” This was done by Corgan to ensure that his daughter didn’t get jealous. Why you may ask? Well, her brother (Corgan’s son) got a chance to sing on a previous album CYR, so naturally, Corgan had to include her. 

After a reiteration of the quote with a vocoder, a ’90s midwestern post-grunge riff leads the song into a wall of symphonic rock. You gotta give it to guitarists Jeff Schroeder and James Iha to give a feeling of carefreeness that really captures the story that Corgan wanted to convey.    

The album takes an edgy turn with “Moss.” Guitarist Iha employs a sinister chord progression. There is a backup singer by the name of Katie Cole who literally sings the word “meow” in the song. The main lyrics start, “You didn’t see what you saw, you didn’t hear what you heard,” which sounds like Corgan is showcasing how social media distracts you from big conflicts and bad things going on in the world with cat videos. 

“Night Waves” was one of the tracks that’s heavily pop-ified. Starting off with synth arpeggio — which wouldn’t seem out of place in a Wreck-it Ralph movie — the verses combine  Jimmy Chamberlain’s drums that have been bit-crunched to sound as though they were part of a similar retro 16-bit video game.   

The most notable songs on the album for me have to be “Empires,” “Moss,” and “Beguiled.” My favourite is “Beguiled” because it has the perfect blend of Siamese Dream / Melon Collie Smashing Pumpkins and synthp — sorry, rock opera Smashing Pumpkins. Sorry, Billy, you can’t fool some of us. The heavy buzz-saw guitar chugs with dark pad synths? Classic you!

Although it fell just short of what it could have become, as the peak of the trilogy (since it is the second act), the album just shows that they were able to adapt. The band was able to try something new and they were not afraid to put it out. For this, I thank The Smashing Pumpkins for not fading away from the limelight due to stubbornness. 

Trial Track: “Beguiled.”

Rating: 7/10

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Music Quickspins

QUICKSPINS: ATUM: Act One by Smashing Pumpkins

Billy Corgan and Co. have released yet another concept album, now in three Acts! 

To those who are saying Autumn is over, no it isn’t, ATUM has just been released! The Smashing Pumpkins’ new LP ATUM Part One just came out on Friday, Nov. 18. This is part of a concept album trilogy dubbed “A Rock Opera In Three Parts” that the band has prepared: Billy Corgan, James Iha, Jimmy Chamberlin, Jack Bates and Jeff Schroeder. 

This is their first full batch of content that’s been released since 2020, so you know they’ve taken their time honing their songwriting craft. Or have they slipped up? Let’s dive right in.

We start with the intro track “ATUM.” This instrumental track made its debut while the band was touring, before the release of the album. It honestly feels like one big epic sports sting that ESPN would use. Other than that, it introduces the album by giving it a sense of grandiose synthesis mixed with their buzzsaw guitar tone (courtesy of the Big Muff pedal that Corgan and Iha love to use). Keep that phrase at the ready, because there will be a lot more songs that incorporate this grandiose atmosphere.  

The second track on the album is “Butterfly Suite.” The more mature version of their single “Ava Adore” was released in 1998 when they were becoming more experimental with their tracks, incorporating electronic drumkits and bass and pad synths. They took it up a notch with “Butterfly Suite” by adding their post-grunge grittiness by using heavily distorted guitars. 

As for memorable songs from ATUM: Act One, songs like “The Good in Goodbye,” “Embracer,” and “Hooligan” reminded me of the many layers to a song Corgan would weave with each other. He truly has evolved from his seven layers of rhythm guitar in their 1994 release Siamese Dream. 

However, not every song was amazing or memorable. There were a couple that were downright questionable at the very least. “Steps in Time,” which was one of my top 3 tracks from the LP, had a great melody that became tasteless after it repeated for the whole song. 

Also Billy Corgan, if you are out there reading this, I just want to ask one question: What is the concept of “Hooray!”? Who other than you thought that “Hooray!” was a valid concept? Why is “Hooray!” in this album lineup? It’s like you, 1982 Prince, and a ’90s kids’ show had a lovechild.      

So, my honest thoughts on this album? It’s a great fusion of new synthwave with the band’s old post-grunge grit. Rock Opera? Maybe more like Synth Alternative Rock, but don’t underestimate it. Billy Corgan always delivers good content with concept albums.  

Trial Track: Butterfly Suite 

Score: 7/10

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Music

Pumpkins Rock the Bell Center + Photo gallery

The Smashing Pumpkins brought Oceania to Montrealers of all generations at their Bell Centre show on Sunday night. The Pumpkins’ last Montreal appearance was at the Osheaga music festival in 2007.

The Pumpkins started their performance with “Quasar”, the first track off their newest album, Oceania. The first half of the concert was dedicated to performing Oceania in its entirety, playing songs like “The Chimera” and “Pinwheels”, which are reminiscent of the band’s earlier work. The band finished their performance of Oceania with the melancholic, yet beautiful “Wildflower”.  Throughout the performance, surrealist images were projected on a large sphere behind the band and blue and red lights flickered on the stage.

The second part of the concert kicked off with The Pumpkin’s cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity”. Lead singer Billy Corgan conversationally interacted with the crowd, confessing:  “I’m known for my honesty”, telling the crowd that Montreal was the best crowd on their tour.

Songs like “Today” and “Disarm” charmed fans and had them hollering Corgan’s signature poetic lyrics at the top of their lungs. The Pumpkins merged their pre-2000 hits into a string of musical bliss, keeping fans in anticipation of which song was next.

The band initially finished their set with “Stand Inside Your Love” and “Muzzle”, but soon returned on stage due to the crowd’s loud insistence. Their encore featured “Ava Adore” and the signature rock songs “Cherub Rock”and “Zero”, which had the crowd jumping and singing.

Photos by Natasha Taggart.

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Music

Top Ten Fall Tours: Retro

For some, back to school means the good times are over.  But September also marks the beginning of Montreal’s promising fall concert line-up.In this Top 10 we go retro and take a look at the bands from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s that will grace our city’s biggest stages.

In order by show date.

THE CULT
The British quad that formed in 1983 is touring in light of their latest and ninth studio album entitled Choice of Weapon, which was released in May 2012. Fans can expect to hear classics such as “She Sells Sanctuary” and “Love Removal Machine.” Check them out at the Metropolis on Sept. 1.

THE OFFSPRING
For a healthy serving of 90’s rock, check out The Offspring at the Metropolis on Sept. 3 and 5 to support their newest album Days Go By. Twenty-three years after the California trio’s first release, the band will surely prove that they’re still “pretty fly.”

K.D. LANG AND THE SISS BOOM BANG
Canadian pop and country singer k.d. lang will perform at the Corona Theatre for two nights on Sept. 28 and 29 after the release of her latest album Sing It Loud. This is the Juno Award winner’s latest release since 2008’s Watershed and her second collaboration with the Siss Boom Bang.

ANTHRAX / TESTAMENT
With the release of their tenth studio album Worship Music, American Thrash Metal band Anthrax will end their Canadian tour in Montreal at Metropolis on Oct. 2. This part of the “Big Four” will likely play notable hits such as “Only” and “Concrete Jungle.”

ALANIS MORISSETTE
If angst-y female songstresses are more your thing, Alanis Morissette will be at the Bell Centre on Oct. 16, her first appearance in Montreal since her show at Place Des Arts in 2008. Her new album Havoc and Bright Lights releases Aug. 28.

RUSH
Rock veterans Rush will make a stop in Montreal on Oct. 18 at the Bell Centre in light of their 20th studio album entitled Clockwork Angels. The band will tour around North America for 33 dates and this is their latest album since 2007’s Snakes & Arrows.

BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Metal group Black Label Society will visit Metropolis on Oct. 20. Instead of supporting a new album, they’re touring to promote a new acoustic DVD entitled Unblackened. Their latest album The Song Remains Not The Same was released in May 2011.

SMASHING PUMPKINS
Billy Corgan and the Pumpkins will tour North America starting in October 2012 in support of their newest album Oceania. Their upcoming concert on October 28 at the Bell Centre will be split into two parts; the band will play all 13 songs off their latest album and then a mix of hits from over the years. Osheaga 2007 marked the last time the band was in town.

JOURNEY
Fans can start believing again Nov. 5 at the Bell Centre when Journey takes the stage to perform their hits from as far back as the 1970’s. Pat Benatar and Loverboy will accompany the band in the first part of the show.

DROPKICK MURPHYS
For a taste of Celtic rock, check out the Dropkick Murphys playing at Metropolis on Nov. 18. The band last visited Montreal in August, after playing at the Festival d’Été de Québec in Quebec City. The band is touring in support of their latest album, Going Out In Style.

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