-
9.0
108296
9.0 |
The Music
Deliciously accessible yet acerbically Pumpkins-esque, Shiny is unexpectedly bright
Read Review
-
8.0
108297
8.0 |
All Music
Corgan delivers something unexpected: music that's rich but settled, music that plays to his strengths, music where he seems happy in his own skin
Read Review
-
8.0
108320
8.0 |
NME
Rather than a '90s-rock pastiche, the reunited Pumpkins' comeback album is a showcase in artful songcraft
Read Review
-
8.0
108256
8.0 |
Exclaim
Pumpkins fans have a lot to be excited about with Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol: 1 but perhaps the most exciting part of the new album is the inclusion of "Vol 1" in the title. We're ready for more, please
Read Review
-
8.0
108254
8.0 |
Q
There are moments of glorious burning distortion on Solara and Marchin' On, but its real riches are much more subtle. Print edition only
-
7.5
108257
7.5 |
Consequence Of Sound
Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin find balance together nearly 20 years later
Read Review
-
7.5
108261
7.5 |
The Line Of Best Fit
Smashing Pumpkins present a comeback album of surprising clarity
Read Review
-
7.4
108392
7.4 |
Sputnik Music (staff)
It clearly will not go down in anyone's book as a classic release, but for a change it's a Pumpkins album that's aware of that fact, cleverly baking that unassuming simplicity into every note and half-nonsense lyric
Read Review
-
7.0
108464
7.0 |
Under The Radar
All in all, it's a welcome return and one that suggests The Smashing Pumpkins' business is far from finished
Read Review
-
7.0
108262
7.0 |
Clash
Not blinding, but the lights are on and someone's definitely home
Read Review
-
6.3
108321
6.3 |
Paste Magazine
It’s a warm and welcomed reunion, with “Silvery Sometimes” guaranteed to make the meld into a Pumpkins’ fans permanent playlist
Read Review
-
6.0
108336
6.0 |
Evening Standard
It’s the sound of a band finding their feet once more, renewed and hopeful
Read Review
-
6.0
108304
6.0 |
DIY
Picking up where Billy left off with ‘Ogilala’
Read Review
-
6.0
108258
6.0 |
PopMatters
Thirty years on, the Smashing Pumpkins are (mostly) reunited and recording new music that displays the band's visionary spirit
Read Review
-
6.0
108259
6.0 |
Slant Magazine
A decade ago, Corgan’s arrogance kept him from turning the Smashing Pumpkins into a tribute to their former selves—to admittedly mixed results—but now that he’s finally giving the people what they want, one wonders if he has anything left to offer
Read Review
-
6.0
108260
6.0 |
musicOMH
Shiny And So Bright, Vol 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. neither offers the chance to dent Corgan’s ego or inflate it in any significant way. As one that thrives on conflict and adoration in equal measure, this outcome will no doubt irk him
Read Review
-
6.0
108607
6.0 |
The Skinny
The Smashing Pumpkins' latest effort forces an emotional conflict that puts you on the fence; loving one half and despising the other
Read Review
-
6.0
108295
6.0 |
Loud And Quiet
Even with the limited tracklist, there’s still enough room for ‘Alienation’ to reach ‘November Rain’ levels of pomp, though, like a bad pre-game rendition of a national anthem. We’ll call this a slight return, then
Read Review
-
6.0
108255
6.0 |
Mojo
Corgan's ear for pop-hooks is keen throughout, but save for Knights Of Malta, with its piano, strings and backwards lead guitars, the music on Shiny And Oh So Bright... seems a tad under-imagined for its portentous title. Print edition only
-
5.0
108441
5.0 |
Spectrum Culture
Doesn’t really recapture the Smashing Pumpkins’ former glory
Read Review
-
5.0
108290
5.0 |
Drowned In Sound
The Smashing Pumpkins in 2018 are an anachronism. Whether that’s an anachronism to relish, or render them irrelevant is up for debate, but Shiny and Oh So Bright… sadly offers little to further their considerable legend
Read Review
-
4.0
108292
4.0 |
Rolling Stone
Save the few fire-breathing dragon moments of Lollapalooza-era churn, it’s the Smashing Pumpkins in name only, and that ice cream truck has long left the gas station
Read Review
-
4.0
108373
4.0 |
The 405
Shiny and Oh So Bright has a lot of work to do to appease the faithful and convert the lapsed. It will, unfortunately, do neither
Read Review
-
3.4
108312
3.4 |
Pitchfork
The legends of ’90s alt-rock have reunited only to bring this puzzling, indecisive husk of an album into the world
Read Review
-