Some people were pleasantly surprised when they heard the new Smashing Pumpkins album "Oceania" last year. The sound was much more in tune with what fans of grunge-era Billy Corgan produced. But some fans would rather just hear the Smashing Pumpkins play the same ol' hits over and over again versus try to evolve. We're not saying wither side is necessarily wrong. We are saying however that the new concert album/movie "Oceania: Live in NYC" features a little bit of both.
First the new stuff: Disc one of the album features Corgan and company playing straight through the band's most recent LP. Take that for what it is, but give it at least one listen for Corgan's sake. As almost the sole writer of all the Pumpkins' music, he takes this stuff seriously. And "Oceania" is definitely worth one listen, even for the stodgiest of Pumpkins fans.
If you're a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins in the sense that you-haven't-listened-to-the-group-since-"Adore," then Side Two is best for you. There are the wistful "ballads" like "Disarm" and "Tonight, Tonight," but Corgan also rocks out with "Bullet With Butterfly Wings," "Cherub Rock" and closer "Zero." A surprise song is a cover of David Bowie's "Space Oddity," which makes perfect sense for Corgan, frankly. One big disappointment: No "Today." That's like Soundgarden not playing "Spoonman."
Look below for the full track listing:
Disc 1
1. "Quasar"
2. "Panopticon"
3. "The Celestials"
4. "Violet Rays"
5. "My Love Is Winter"
6. "One Diamond, One Heart"
7. "Pinwheels"
8. "Oceania"
9. "Pale Horse"
10. "The Chimera"
11. "Glissandra"
12. "Inkless"
Disc 2
1. "Wildflower"
2. "Space Oddity"
3. "X.Y.U"
4. "Disarm"
5. "Tonite Reprise"
6. "Tonight, Tonight"
7. "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"
8. "The Dream Machine"
9. "Hummer"
Encore
1. "Ava Adore"
2. "Cherub Rock"
3. "Zero"
