Smashing Pumpkins – Monuments To An Elegy

Veteran alternative rockers Smashing Pumpkins return with a new lineup consisting of the ever-present Billy Corgan, guitarist Jeff Schroeder and Motley Crüe’s Tommy Lee on drums, for their latest release.

Continuing in the alt-rock vein they are known for employing charging guitar riffs, the unmistakable nasal vocals of Corgan all interspersed with melodic piano keys. This time though adding a more pronounced drum line than previously employed by the band.

Standout tracks are opener Tiberius providing a glimpse into the future while remaining true to their roots. The band seems most in sync during One And All and Drum + Fife in which all three play of each other as if together for years. Finally the album closes with the catchiest and heartfelt track Anti-Hero.

Once again Smashing Pumpkins have produced an overall nice record that dedicated fans will enjoy while wider audiences should find a couple of new tracks for their alt-rock playlists. (JA)

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