[V for Vergudo]

I got the CD. The album is pretty, pretty, pretty good... But it sounds so compressed and loud on CD (just like every CD released nowadays_). I will definitely get the vinyl hoping for a little bit more of dynamics. Does anybody got this on vinyl? How does it sound? What about the pressing quality? Not too noisy, off-center or anything like that?

[soVerysadAboutyou]

some kind of superstar, on 16 June 2012 - 03:05 AM, said:

I just heard Machina II for the first time yesterday

whoa

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l4j2beaSDd1qcpp2bo1_500.jpg

[cc3078]

V for Vergudo, on 16 June 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

I got the CD. The album is pretty, pretty, pretty good... But it sounds so compressed and loud on CD (just like every CD released nowadays_). I will definitely get the vinyl hoping for a little bit more of dynamics. Does anybody got this on vinyl? How does it sound? What about the pressing quality? Not too noisy, off-center or anything like that?

I bought the CD as you can see below (2 actually) but I'll try and play the vinyl tonight. Nice looking package below. I feel bad for those fans who have listened to Oceania and don't like it - what a shame. It could be awhile before we have another good one like this.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0DGG3mgpmYA/T90AWNIosuI/AAAAAAABAAk/ia1oXFwQj_Q/s720/DSC_1933.JPG


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gx2a-3za0Yo/T90AV9uggYI/AAAAAAABAAc/epw0brUZaiA/s720/DSC_1932.JPG

[PopcornSmiley]

Panopticon is such a good song oh my god love it

play it again

[GracefulSwan]

cc3078, on 16 June 2012 - 01:21 PM, said:

I bought the CD as you can see below (2 actually) but I'll try and play the vinyl tonight. Nice looking package below. I feel bad for those fans who have listened to Oceania and don't like it - what a shame. It could be awhile before we have another good one like this.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0DGG3mgpmYA/T90AWNIosuI/AAAAAAABAAk/ia1oXFwQj_Q/s720/DSC_1933.JPG


https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Gx2a-3za0Yo/T90AV9uggYI/AAAAAAABAAc/epw0brUZaiA/s720/DSC_1932.JPG

Wish I'd ordered the bundle now :/

[amu1167]

Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? I didn't have itunes, so downloaded it- but can only hear the album for 25 seconds at a time...

[crestfallen73]

I broke down and ordered the vinyl. I figured I wouldn't get it by release date so why not? I'd just get the cd on Tuesday in a store. Now I am kicking myself since I got the vinyl in the mail today. I could be driving around and blasting the cd if I had! :drama:/>

[cc3078]

crestfallen73, on 16 June 2012 - 02:26 PM, said:

I broke down and ordered the vinyl. I figured I wouldn't get it by release date so why not? I'd just get the cd on Tuesday in a store. Now I am kicking myself since I got the vinyl in the mail today. I could be driving around and blasting the cd if I had! :drama:/>

Does the vinyl come with a download coupon inside? I've not opened mine. I assume not but if it does you can obviously get those mp3 files onto a CD very quickly and easily for your car. Sorry if I'm restating the obvious.

GracefulSwan, on 16 June 2012 - 02:17 PM, said:

Wish I'd ordered the bundle now :/

Yeah, the vinyl and CD are mine. The other CD, the Oceania shirt, and Oceania tote are for an ex-girlfriend that is married now (don't ask - LOL! http://www.smashingpumpkins.com/board_new/public/style_emoticons/default/toast.gif)

[crestfallen73]

cc3078, on 16 June 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

Does the vinyl come with a download coupon inside? I've not opened mine. I assume not but if it does you can obviously get those mp3 files onto a CD very quickly and easily for your car. Sorry if I'm restating the obvious.

No. Which indeed would have made it easier. I know I could get the torrent but have been so reluctant to do that these days. Good idea though! Just a few more days anyway!

[sprules]

I recently introduced the songs to my mother, whom also loves the record. :)/> I hope to buy the CD ASAP.

[LostSoul]

Okay. This record is excellent. My ranking:

Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness > Adore > Oceania > Siamese Dream > Machina > Machina II > Gish > The Future Embrace > Mary Star Of The Sea > Zeitgeist > Teargarden Volume 1 (Songs 1-10)

That said, the strongest tracks on Siamese Dream & Machina still beat out the strongest on Oceania. You know, songs like Hummer, Soma, Mayonaise, Geek USA, Disarm, Cherub Rock. Stand Inside Your Love, Age Of Innocence, This Time.

Still, this album has a charm; a fluidity to it that I couldn't have fathomed. After the atrocities that Zeitgeist & TBK Part 1 were, I was skeptical. Yet, I loved what I heard live from Oceania on the last tour. Then again, we knew nothing of the production job or the other songs aside from what Billy & the band relayed to us.

The flow is perfect, the production crisp. His vocals are engaged in the best fashion since 2000. Lyrically, it demolishes anything officially released he has put out since that year. Glissandra, Violet Rays, Panopticon, Oceania, Wildflower, and Pale Horse being obvious highlights.

Quasar and Panopticon were a bit underwhelming to start. They have grown on me indeed, but I think part of the issue was being so used to how they sounded live. And I'm not the biggest fan of Quasar to start, though I do respect the meaning of the lyrics more than many. However, the moment The Celestials kicked in, I knew this was the one. His come back album. At long last. I started tearing up during that song, and Violet Rays caught me just the same. My Love Is Winter, though not as powerful as the 2011 live cut, is still very refreshing following those two softer tracks. Love the song, although the intro was more otherworldly sounding at the show. I digress though, because I'm just happy that they salvaged the intro at all.

One Diamond, One Heart is very poppy, and unlike Corgan. The synths are bombastic in this song, yet it somehow works. It is extremely catchy, and comes off as very sweet and sincere. Something Billy has failed to achieve in recent years. Very uplifting.

Pinwheels surprisingly mirrors the live version almost completely, albeit with more energy. Kept the intro, and my fears of it turning out too repetitive in the studio have subsided.

Oceania is an obvious high point. So hauntingly beautiful. Especially the first 1/3 of the song, which I actually feel has improved since its live debut. That intro, with the lead into that guitar part, with Billy's sorrowful words, "No one can love you, 'cause no one can free you. Lovers can't touch you, 'cause lovers might reach you, yeah..." Stunning. And they've greatly improved last third of the song. The way the drums come weaving in and out, pounding with a ghostly recognition.

Pale Horse is as beautiful as he could have perceived. An honest and heartfelt ode to his dead mother. While he touched on the subject of losing her on Adore, and her inspiration towards him on Machina, this is of a different context. Here, he is finally acknowledging the source of the pain itself, rather than the result of. His experiences and feelings towards his beloved mother's final days.


The Chimera took a few turns to grow, but it did. Very much in the vein of Zwan, but executed much more fully than anything on MSOTS. Nice, fun song.

Glissandra has some wonderful lyrics and melodies going on, and the guitar work is fun. One of my favorites.

Inkless is the least remarkable song on the record, but still good. Nothing completely memorable, but it is a nice way to wind down

Wildflower is repetitive, yes, but that's the point. Some interesting lyrics, and I like that it is a tribute to Mark. A somber, yet somehow hopeful vibe to end the album on.

Overall, this album is a home run for me. Every song is quality, which is something that Corgan's post-2000 output has very severely lacked. Another is consistency. This album has the best flow since Adore. As far as meshing perfectly together as a whole, integrated sound, Siamese Dream, Adore and Oceania sit at the top. In fact, Machina even had some duds on it, which is why I'm ranking Oceania higher.

I love the lyrics. Especially (SPOILERS--if you'd rather wait till release day):



"On the day that you were born,
They built an empire off a scream
I can't explain
Endlessly they'll set you free
Give you reason to believe
This empty place"

"Does love matter, when loves the actor?"

"Lonely draw
Sides grow dimmer
Spellbound all
I waste the hour"

"Cause you don't deserve me, but I deserve you"

"No one can love you,
'Cause no one can free you
Lovers can't touch you
'Cause lovers might reach you, yeah"

"Skirt the cliffs of your illusion,
Find the faith on me
My mistake as the last remaining soldier,
Was to take the place of you
Love the way
Love the way and learn
Try the way
Cast off your indecision
Face to face, we breathe"

All of Pale Horse

"A pluck on spiders strings,
Gutters form the stars
Children cry out proud
As embers blast my heart
Broken where I'd stop
I used to know
What a wish was for
Stolen like a lark
Flicks on tender wrists
Abuse the modern mind
Crush on what you'll find"

"Infernal ides
I trim the wick so fine
To carry forth your light
Comfort me
What will leave will leave
Comfort me to stem the tide
Wasted along the way"

After despising all but a handful of studio tracks and scattered live cuts for 5 years, this album is a welcome return to form. Zeitgeist was garbage to me, and so was TbK 'Part 1'. This album replicates and restructures everything I loved about the old band, without sounding derivative. Though, a thread connecting the two incarnations can now be distinguished at long last, with the purest and most heartfelt body of work Billy Corgan has mustered in 12 long years. Welcome back, Bill. Now please...keep the pace. :)/>

[DandyJon]

I can't get enough of this album

[Elphenor]

Wow LostSoul, you're ranking this album above SD? It's a great album, but no way does it even come close to the level that SD is at.

[chrisothoulos]

Wow pretty good getting my LP in the mail 3 days before its at the stores officially..

[LostSoul]

All a matter of opinion. Siamese Dream is technically the better record, but I also skip 3 (sometimes 4) songs on SD. Where as Oceania finds me listening to the full thing, all the way through. Like I said, Hummer, Soma, Mayonaise, Disarm, Geek USA and Cherub Rock are all better than anything on Oceania.

Unfortunately, the quality can be there, but me skipping 4 songs on a 13 track record does not define a master piece, for me. Not to say that Oceania is, but at least I don't have to reach for the button.

Mellon Collie has a couple tracks I skip, but there are also 28 songs. That album...is their pinnacle. No question. Mellon Collie...so grandiose, enraged, cataclysmic and pretty all the same, not to mention nostalgic. And then Adore is the most beautiful thing he has ever composed. Oceania might be deserving of the second place spot for me on that one.

Not like I'm placing Oceania miles ahead of Siamese Dream. I'm just saying that pound for pound, it ever so slightly outstrips it for me. :)/>

[ItsSoPringles]

LostSoul, on 16 June 2012 - 04:42 PM, said:

All a matter of opinion. Siamese Dream is technically the better record, but I also skip 3 (sometimes 4) songs on SD. Where as Oceania finds me listening to the full thing, all the way through. Like I said, Hummer, Soma, Mayonaise, Disarm, Geek USA and Cherub Rock are all better than anything on Oceania.

Unfortunately, the quality can be there, but me skipping 4 songs on a 13 track record does not define a master piece, for me. Not to say that Oceania is, but at least I don't have to reach for the button.

Mellon Collie has a couple tracks I skip, but there are also 28 songs. That album...is their pinnacle. No question. Mellon Collie...so grandiose, enraged, cataclysmic and pretty all the same, not to mention nostalgic. And then Adore is the most beautiful thing he has ever composed. Oceania might be deserving of the second place spot for me on that one.

Not like I'm placing Oceania miles ahead of Siamese Dream. I'm just saying that pound for pound, it ever so slightly outstrips it for me. :)/>

that....actually makes alot of sense

[HereIsNoY]

Hey guys, remember when people were bitching about the 30-second previews?

http://locosporelviento.com/web2/includes/phpInputFilter/tom-cruise-laughing-gif-i16.jpg

[dudehitscar]

The only songs I skip on sd is spaceboy(not a fan) and silverfuk(because the viephoria version is sooooooo much better)

Every other song is ace.. Except quiet which is ok.

LostSoul, on 16 June 2012 - 04:42 PM, said:

All a matter of opinion. Siamese Dream is technically the better record, but I also skip 3 (sometimes 4) songs on SD. Where as Oceania finds me listening to the full thing, all the way through. Like I said, Hummer, Soma, Mayonaise, Disarm, Geek USA and Cherub Rock are all better than anything on Oceania.

Unfortunately, the quality can be there, but me skipping 4 songs on a 13 track record does not define a master piece, for me. Not to say that Oceania is, but at least I don't have to reach for the button.

Mellon Collie has a couple tracks I skip, but there are also 28 songs. That album...is their pinnacle. No question. Mellon Collie...so grandiose, enraged, cataclysmic and pretty all the same, not to mention nostalgic. And then Adore is the most beautiful thing he has ever composed. Oceania might be deserving of the second place spot for me on that one.

Not like I'm placing Oceania miles ahead of Siamese Dream. I'm just saying that pound for pound, it ever so slightly outstrips it for me. :)/>

An album with hummer, soma, mayonnaise, disarm, geek USA and cherub rock could have 4 songs as bad as Because You Are and still be better than Oceania.. Those tracks you just listed are some of the best songs of rock history.

I mean not to mention how amazing Billy's vocals are on SD and Jimmy Chamberlin...

This post has been edited by dudehitscar: 16 June 2012 - 05:35 PM

[HereandNow]

Oceania beats Siamese Dream for me. I listened to both twice last night. Siamese Dream, then Oceania, then Siamese Dream and Oceania again and I really thought about it and Oceania tops it for me. I know I would likely get a lot of stick for that from many fans but that is my true and honest opinion and I have been a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins for 15 years i.e I am not a new fan. I prefer Oceania to Siamese Dream when you take both records as a whole and everything considered. So sue me.

Although Mellon Collie tops them all. So Mellon Collie > Oceania > Siamese Dream > Adore > Gish > Machina > everything else.

[Human Sauce]

I love Oceania, but no way in hell does it beat out SD for me. Keep in mind, this album JUST CAME OUT. Of course people are going to overreact. It's a great album, but give it a while and see if it actually stands the test of time like SD.

MCIS>Adore>SD>Oceania...

[dudehitscar]

Listened to the album twice today. The ones that didn't hit me much are growing on me but Wildflowers is still kind of bad. I just hate e way he says Wasted in the song.. Unforunately he says it a lot. All other parts of the track are great.

[LostSoul]

dudehitscar, on 16 June 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

An album with hummer, soma, mayonnaise, disarm, geek USA and cherub rock could have 4 songs as bad as Because You Are and still be better than Oceania.. Those tracks you just listed are some of the best songs of rock history.

I mean not to mention how amazing Billy's vocals are on SD and Jimmy Chamberlin...

Fair enough, but at the same time an album with 13 songs half as good as those 6 could even out to be just as good, if not better. In my eyes.

To humor those who laugh at my expense:

Siamese Dream

Cherub Rock 9/10
Quiet 5/10
Today 7.5/10
Hummer 10/10
Rocket 6.5/10
Disarm 10/10
Soma 10/10
Geek USA 10/10
Mayonaise 10/10
Spaceboy 2/10
Silverfuck 7/10
Sweet Sweet 5/10
Luna 6.5/10

Oceania

Quasar 6.5/10
Panopticon 7.5/10
The Celestials 9/10
Violet Rays 10/10
My Love Is Winter 8.5/10
One Diamond, One Heart 9/10
Pinwheels 8/10
Oceania 10/10
Pale Horse 10/10
The Chimera 7.5/10
Glissandra 8/10
Inkless 6/10
Wildflower 8/10

Those are my personal ratings. Not anyone else's. You see how the six SD songs I listed as superior are 10/10, which is more than the best Oceania songs. Yet the lowest ratings I gave for SD are lower than those on Oceania, thus making the weakest songs on Oceania stronger than the weakest on Siamese Dream (in my eyes).

It evens out, methinks.

[dudehitscar]

You severely underrated Rocket and Luna both songs are among his best. Rocket is a straight 10.

But it's alright. Still got much love for ya bud. Always appreciated your presence on the boards.

[LostSoul]

:rofl:/>

Thanks.

[MachinasDei]

Just listened to Oceania for the first time. Man the production is crisp and finally up to awesome recording capabilities. The record flows well but right now, not totally feeling it. Def will grow on me I'm sure. pinwheels made me cry .

[ItsSoPringles]

LostSoul, on 16 June 2012 - 05:56 PM, said:

Luna 6.5/10

Panopticon 7.5/10

[dudehitscar]

LostSoul, on 16 June 2012 - 06:08 PM, said:

:rofl:/>

Thanks.

If you would humor me though and explain what's wrong with rocket. I consider it a masterpiece. I love how it Doesn't have a chorus and hardly repeats itself and all those delicious guitar lines throughout the song. The lyrics are really special to me as well.

[R_Dorothy Wayneright]

I shall be free...I shall be free...I shall be free...I shall be free...free...free of those voices inside me!!! *face melting ensues*

[dudehitscar]

R_Dorothy Wayneright, on 16 June 2012 - 06:32 PM, said:

I shall be free...I shall be free...I shall be free...I shall be free...free...free of those voices inside me!!! *face melting ensues*

No more lies!! Man I love this song.

[MoonPI]

JSapp, on 15 June 2012 - 06:58 PM, said:

Haven't listened yet?

Nope...I am waiting for it's release on Tues :)/>

[R_Dorothy Wayneright]

"On the day that you were born,
They built an empire off a scream
I can't explain
Endlessly they'll set you free
Give you reason to believe
This empty place"

LostSoul, you get major brownie points for acknowledging the beauty of this verse. I feel the same way about it. It's fantastic.

[frosty]

no mention of platypuses on the record. yeah like he's ever gonna get a chance to bring those up in song again. :nope:/> shameful.

[miss_hazy]

I actually really like this album and I wasn't expecting to since I haven't really been much of a fan of any of the post-reunion stuff.

Particularly fond of "Quasar", "Panopticon", "The Celestials", "Violet Rays", "One Diamond, One Heart", "Pinwheels", "Oceania", and "Pale Horse". Very pleasantly surprised.

[TwoHeadedBoy]

LostSoul, on 16 June 2012 - 05:56 PM, said:

Spaceboy 2/10

That's... a typo, yes?

[pyrocus]

I preordered the LP so how the hell are some of you getting yours before me? I am very jealous.

[gyang333]

pyrocus, on 16 June 2012 - 08:55 PM, said:

I preordered the LP so how the hell are some of you getting yours before me? I am very jealous.

Topspin...

[KidCorgan]

Siamese Dream

Cherub Rock 9/10
Quiet 7/10
Today 9/10
Hummer 10/10
Rocket 10/10
Disarm 10/10
Soma 9.5/10
Geek USA 8/10
Mayonaise 10/10
Spaceboy 8/10
Silverfuck 7/10
Sweet Sweet 9/10
Luna 9/10

Oceania

Quasar 8.5/10
Panopticon 8/10
The Celestials 9.5/10
Violet Rays 10/10
My Love Is Winter 6.5/10
One Diamond, One Heart 7.5/10
Pinwheels 7.5/10
Oceania 10/10
Pale Horse 8/10
The Chimera 7/10
Glissandra 8/10
Inkless 9/10
Wildflower 9.5/10

[Elphenor]

Can't get enough of Inkless. That riff, amazing!

[PumpkinHarvest]

I got my pre-order yesterday. I've been playing this album nonstop since I got it.

[DandyJon]

Elphenor, on 16 June 2012 - 10:48 PM, said:

Can't get enough of Inkless. That riff, amazing!

I know right!

[Sophie]

HereandNow, on 16 June 2012 - 05:34 PM, said:

So Mellon Collie > Oceania > Siamese Dream > Adore > Gish > Machina > everything else.

Human Sauce, on 16 June 2012 - 05:44 PM, said:

give it a while and see if it actually stands the test of time like SD.MCIS>Adore>SD>Oceania...

I don't care about the "ultimate ranking".
I'm just so happy that Oeania can actually compete with other SP albums!
Let's share a virtual beer to celebrate this. :cheers:/>

[pastup]

I was thinking today that I wouldn't mind having an instrumental version of the album. Just to get a better feel of everything that's going on musically.

[some kind of superstar]

I've read a number of reviews and comments stating that Oceania has a weak start? And my reaction is ...ummmm...what? ...The first three tracks are an amazing way to start the album, high energy and has the spirit of their best material, clearly rains surpreme on those first tracks, that's what draws you in to begin with is the great guitar work from the band and the very good vocal melodies.

i've read some reall perplexing comments with people saying "what a weak start to the album, i turned off after track 2", my reaction? "Are we listening to the same album here" ...its just insane.

[Parksey]

well i dare say quasar is the worst song on the album, so i can relate.