Zeitgeist
by The Smashing Pumpkins

From SomethingSpecial 07/15/2026 12:40 | #315282

I avoided this album for so long because I was led to believe it was a bad record but it's actually great. No it doesn't reach the 90s heights but it's better than anything that came after and the last Smashing Pumpkins record with that classic sound. I'd even rank it above Gish which I think is a great debut but not very interesting aside from 3 or 4 songs.

From elo269megv 09/23/2018 23:57 | #221542 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Definitely among their weakest output but not as bad as its made out to be. The mix is a bit loud, cymbals are overly present, vocals a bit harsh...The first batch of songs up until "Tarantula" actually hold up pretty well musically. They work for me. BC's vocals/lyrics are just alright compared to previous material. The drums and guitars kick ass for the most part but the mix is a bit odd. Overall its just a little emotionless.. Almost forced. After "Tarantula" its questionable at times. I'm a big time Pumpkins fan so the raw and aggressiveness of this album fit for me. Its just a little off. "Starz" and "Bring The Light" are pretty awful. "God and Country" and "Pomp And Circumstances" are rough as well.. "United States" is interesting because of its length and the fact the drums are a single consecutive take. But it feels as if they had a handful of ideas, wanted to make an album, and threw some stuff against the wall until it stuck.

First 5 songs: 8/100
Rest of album: 6/10
Overall: 7/10

A bit disappointing really....lacks the variety and drive, and therefore the interest of most SP albums. Down with Machina for me, it's still alright though.

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From RoundTheBend 05/30/2016 03:59 | #167251 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Wow, as a Pumpkins fan I was pretty excited for this album to come out... and I even thought it was decent when it first came out... not bad, but definitely listened to it probably 50 times out of "enjoyment".

Now I can't believe I was so blind to it being so terrible. I mean it isn't like Miley Cyrus terrible, but it definitely is lacking the energy of a comeback. Teargarden by Kaleidoscope was interesting... curious if I'll still like that, as Oceania was probably on par with this record.

This is my second least favourite from the pumpkins catalogue

When they returned with this , I was a tad disappointed to say the least

It has a few really good tracks, but it just has no spark !!

This became the basis for a Smashing Pumpkins album for the future. All generic songs that are just ok if you are a Pumpkins fan. Of course it has two or three hits but all in all it left me wanting for a better album.

From swagnadalf 12/05/2014 19:38 | #128795 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

I know I'm totally wrong about this, but for some reason I love this album. It's not their best album but it's my favourite one. And yes, I know I'm an idiot.

From lightmyway 04/27/2012 02:28 | #41020

Well, this is Smashing Pumpkins without a lot of what made them so great in the first place. There aren't a lot of people who like this, but I honestly think it's okay for what it is. I never relisten to it though.

This album doesn't start well at all. Very loud but very little songs or tunes. Tarantula comes along and there seems some hope this could be a good album. For a while after it goes straight back into the norm with little songs you would want to replay but nothing I would describe as bad. However... then Bring The Light starts to play. That song blows everything else on the album away. It's simple riff and sing a long chorus are only two of many reasons why this stands above the rest. It does get marginally better than the start at the end. For God And Country makes good use of organic sounds and Pomp and Circumstances while a little weird ends the album on good spirits. A good album for the then topical issues.