The Smashing Pumpkins have released their 9th studio album, titled Monuments to an Elegy. This release is part of an ongoing project that started in 2009 called Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, a 44-song concept album loosely inspired by the Tarot. You can stream the album above via Spotify.
The album features songs that recall the band's signature sounds of the '90s while experimenting with synthesizers and a more electronic feel. "Tiberius," "One and All," and "Anti-Hero" sound like they could have been written during the band's Siamese Dream days. Billy Corgan's vocals are at the forefront throughout the album, and sound as familiar as ever.
The inclusion of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee on the album shouldn't be overlooked, as he provides the suitable aggressiveness to the hard hitting songs "Anti-Hero," "Anaise!," "Monuments," and "One and All." Tommy's drumming is precise and adds an effective amount of punch to the louder tunes.
"Monuments to an Elegy" is not an album where the band plays it safe by churning out the type of distortion drenched songs that have made them popular. Almost every song on the album experiments with synthesizers, some more dominantly than others. "Dorian" and "Run2me" feature fresh sounds for the band, and showcase the Pumpkins' versatility. "Monuments" is a carefully balanced mixture of new electro sounds with thunderous drumming and thick distorted guitars.
Monuments to an Elegy is available through Amazon (Vinyl, CD, MP3) and iTunes.
For Smashing Pumpkin’s latest music, news, and tour dates, check out their Zumic artist page.
