The Smashing Pumpkins - Monuments to an Elegy (Album Review)

The Smashing Pumpkins. Every time I think or say the name aloud that classic band image springs into my head. I remember the band that drove around in the ice cream truck singing "Today" and cementing their place in 90s alternative rock history. Well that band hasn't really been The Smashing Pumpkins for years. That's fine, in theory, because members come and go and Corgan has rallied on and in all honesty was and will always be the most important member of the Pumpkins. That doesn't mean some of the odd line-up changes and members losses haven't left me shaking my head or being a bit confused. This time around the Pumpkins are running a little light in weight. Jeff Schroeder, guitarist, was part of the official line-up with Corgan. In a really interesting turn of events Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee handles the drums on the band's new album Monuments to an Elegy.

So what you get with the new Pumpkins album feels a little more like a Corgan solo album with the Pumpkins name on it. It has honestly been what the Pumpkins have felt like, to me, for a really long time. The members have seemed unimportant for years, sorry random members, it's just felt like the Corgan show. At times that show has been uneven. Just listen to Zeitgeist (which did feature classic member Jimmy Chamberlin), and at other times Corgan has shown what a truly outstanding songwriter he can be. Listen to "A Song for a Son" from the long running Teargarden by Kaleidyscope; it's a fantastically well written song and among one of my favorite Pumpkins songs. So going into every project I never know quite what to expect. I think listeners are treated to a pretty high creative streak from Corgan for 2014 standard with Monuments to an Elegy.

This isn't rattling the cages of the best Pumpkins albums, but I think it is a fine output. Tommy Lee does what Tommy Lee does best and that is drum exceptionally well. He's a pro at playing various styles for various artists and he performs more than admirably on this album. Corgan's trademark vocals define the album in a great way. I'm always excited to hear his vocals. "Anaise" easily showcases some of his exceptional vocal work. It's also a song that really stands out on this album. The lyrics are a super high point on the album. The lyrics and the way they work with the songs definitely helped me as the listener connect to the song. I really like the lyrics on "One And All". The song feels the closest to a "classic" Pumpkins song on this album.

I think the production on the album is nice. Things are mixed really nicely. Overall this album sounds really good. I don't have many complaints. There might be a thing here or there that sounds slightly muddy at times, but honestly I think that adds to the album. It also helps add to the atmosphere of the album. Like I mentioned above the way Corgan's vocals were recorded and mixed sounds fantastic on this album. They almost sound just as good or nearly as good as they have on any Pumpkins album.

Monuments to an Elegy shows that Billy Corgan has found a nice balance in his songwriting. After this many albums and years deep into The Smashing Pumpkins history he can still write a batch of good song. I don't think this is anywhere near the peak he got when he and the Pumpkins were in their prime and honestly it doesn't even brush the surface of those classic albums, but that still doesn't mean I don't enjoy this album. I definitely appreciate Corgan's style and ability and think that he probably doesn't get the respect he deserves. I also think this might be my favorite Pumpkins album in a long time. At this point I'm probably on the Pumpkins bandwagon for the long haul and any time this band releases something I'll always check it out. Those moments when I hear a really good song make me glad that I'm still along for the ride.