I think this album is just what the Pumpkins needed to release at this time. It is written for a modern audience yet it retains trademark Pumpkins style in so many ways - edgy, catchy tunes (Bring the Light, 7 Shades) mixed with musical indulgence (United States) along side sentimental breezy tracks (Neverlost, That's the Way My Love Is). It's top stuff. My initial stand out fave was and remains Neverlost, with G + C and Bring the Light really growing on me. The others are all on par and likeable for their own different reasons. I think Pomp and Circumstances was the hardest song to get into to but now I feel it is a great closer.

I must agree with others on here that Billy's vocals have been toned down somewhat and do detract from the emotion of the songs.

Jimmy absolutely shines. He adds so much drive and heart the entire album.

I also think the 'game' of comparing SP albums should be buried. Each album has been written at different times in Billy's life, with different production styles. The greatest thing SP can do is continue to create music that challenges and at the same time pleases those that choose to listen.

With an artist as prolific as Billy there is always gonna be songs that are gems those that are less appealing. I think it's great that IMO 95% of SP material is gold! The other 5% is still better than half of other artists out there.

All in all, Zeitgeist rocks my stereo at the moment and I really hope the Pumpkins make it to Australia in the near future

i actually think, the newness of it, outshines the old albums because i kinda listened to them too much - but luckily for me, my friend has had my siamese dream for the last six months, im looking forward to getting it back - zeigeist is on par with sd for sure, beats gish and nothing beats mcis adore and i havent really listened to machina, cause i havent bought it, I am laughing out loud.

ghostchild link=topic=1915.msg32030#msg32030 date=1186752247]
dougydarkangel link=topic=1915.msg32011#msg32011 date=1186724412]
*Jimmy's 10 minute drum track on united states is truely epic, when i found out it was done in one single take i was even more impressed, as billy said, that alone is probably one of the highlights of his musical career. I think its pretty clear that he is one the (if not the) greatest drummers in the world at the moment. Without Jimmy zeitgeist would have fallen on its ass in my opinion.


agreed...just further proof of what i've argued for over a decade now...he is the best drummer in rock music. and it could be aruged that most, if not all, of their albums would have fallen on their asses without Jimmy. is the man!


I know its a MASSIVE call, but i am starting to agree, alot of drummers have periods lacking of creativity i find, just like any artist. But jimmy is just in a class of his own, he has been consistantly outstanding right from the start, in every avenue (although i havent heard any of the last hard men material) he has been in.

I used to think it was bonham, maybe even lombardo, but jimmy is one of the things that got me so into the pumpkins, being somewhat of a drummer myself i was just in awe of not only his technical ability, but his creativity as a drummer, i have never heard anyone with a style even close to his.

Trillian link=topic=1915.msg32067#msg32067 date=1186793778]
OK, Robert, it IS a relatively passionless record, at least to my ears. It IS a vanity project with mildly entertaining results.

a vanity project????????????? wat are you talking about!!

Trillian link=topic=1915.msg32067#msg32067 date=1186793778]
OK, Robert, it IS a relatively passionless record, at least to my ears. It IS a vanity project with mildly entertaining results.



Excellent call, alot of filler - nothing too killer. In comparison to the music released today (not in the 90's) it's just another album. I mean - maybe it shines a little brighter because of the name on the cover but the product is on the same lines as any other rock album. A couple of really good songs and the rest is a waste of time unless you feel as if your letting Billy down if you dont force yourself to sit through the rest. A vanity album is the best way to put it since they really didn't have anything to say - instead they just wanted to say something that would be heard. (IMO)

well i hear it perfectly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HAHAHAHA...Exactly.

then what are you trying to say. that each album wasnt like this one.

i dont find myself clicking on the zeitgeist tracks, bad sign

well i love it!!

Well, cheers, Robert. No one's telling you NOT to love it. But for those of us that don't, we're welcome to feel that way as well.

I called it a vanity project not for the same reasons Believe said (I think Billy DID have something to say, with songs such as "United States" and "Doomsday Clock," two tracks which I definitely DO love.) To me, it's a vanity project because though it's Pumpkins by name and partially by sounds, it's still a Billy and Jimmy record. When I interviewed Ginger this week, she told me she and Jeff were in the studio for the mixing. But couldn't Billy have utilized their talents instead of taking two-plus years to do everything himself? I know he's a perfectionist and yes, I know I'm going to get the argument that Billy and Jimmy did everything on Siamese Dream, but think of all the SP records where all four actually DID contribute! "Zeitgeist" is a pretty masturbatory record on Billy's behalf. That's all I'm saying.

SiameseDream link=topic=1915.msg31807#msg31807 date=1186521308]
I'm not terribly impressed with the album. Whenever I have to describe it to someone, I'm forced to say I probably wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't The Smashing Pumpkins.

The only songs I can really get into are Pomp and Circumstances and That's the Way. To me, they sound the most like the original Smashing Pumpkins. I just find myself skipping most of the other songs whenever they come up on my iPod when I have it on shuffle.

I'm quite disappointed with the album overall. I was really looking forward to this reunion so that I could finally see them live, but now I don't think I want to anymore.




That's interesting because I think Pomp sounds nothing like the Pumpkins, though I'll agree with you on That's The Way.

Personally, this album fizzled out with me. I really love some of the songs, but it didn't stick with me. I started out thoroughly enjoying this album, but now the songs seem a bit bland. I think I just overkilled it though because I spun the album so many times, the whole month of July just screams Zeitgeist.

1. Doomsday Clock - Possibly the best rocking track on the entire album. The fizzling guitar lines over that caveman-esque drum beat by Jimmy is just so addicting. I love it and still do I guess.

2. 7 Shades of Black - Didn't like it at first and felt it ended too abrupt, but it's one of the tracks that really shines for me now. I love the pauses. It seems to be a heavier number for what is really a slow shuffling disc.

3. Bleeding the Orchid - I like the beginning, the very ambient guitar chords, but the chorus still makes me cringe. "Bleeding the orchid?" I mean, it doesn't really say anything to me.

4. That's The Way - Possibly the best track the current incarnation of the band has made yet. Catchy, ambient, emotional, and everything that a Pumpkins' song should be. I love the extended verse in the beginning with the chord change. I love it.

5.Tarantula - Overplayed now, but that doesn't kill the song. I still feel Billy sounds too in front of the "band" in this track, but I love the slow, pretty part in the middle. Niiice.

6. Stars - I like the heavy bridge or chorus, but the "We are Stars..." part makes me cringe and laugh.

7. United States - I'd rather have Gossamer. Not until the end do I really enjoy the song.

8. Neverlost - Very Machina esque. Awesome stuff. I like this track, though everyone else seems to despise it. I loved Machina though.

9. Bring The Light - Like That's The Way, this track is catchy, catchy, catchy. I also get chills everytime that solo hits. And the guitar riff just makes me want to pick up my guitar.

10. Come On, Let's Go - One of the worst tracks on the album.

11. God and Country - Rather have had the acoustic version.

12. Pomp and Circumstance - Worst Pumpkins song to date.

extra:

-Zeitgeist- Should have been the closer over Pomp and Circumstance. Easily one of the better songs of the new stuff and Billy's voice is so earnest in it.

-Death From Above- The vocal backing kills the song, but what does it matter since it sounds stripped straight from TheFutureEmbrace. I skip this.

-Stellar-Should have been on the album. I love the very emotional pulls I get from this track, specifically in the "Is it wrong to say..." hook.

I would have rather had the album look like this:

1.Doomsday Clock
2.7 Shades of Black
3.Bleeding the Orchid
4.That's The Way
5.Tarantula
6.Stars
7.Gossamer
8.For God and Country (Acoustic)
9.Neverlost
10.Bring The Light
11.United States
12.Zeitgeist

I think that would have been a stronger album and also fluctuate the pace some. But whatever, gotta love iTunes to make that reality for me.

Whoa, Blueseattle, you think Pomp is the worst SP song to date? Have you heard any of the 89 demos? Soot and Stars? Those ones are pretty foul.

hey! soot and stars is awesome!

Yup... Soot & Stars will always be one of my all-time favorite songs in the world...