Smashing Pumpkins get back on track with 'Oceania'

The Smashing Pumpkins

Oceania

(EMI)

Grade: B

Although Oceania will be plagued with comparisons of past efforts – a fair tactic given the Smashing Pumpkins' relevance in the rock scene and unabashed public disbanding and rebanding – Billy Corgan is impressively pulling this "new" version of the Pumpkins into an interesting direction. Oceania is definitely not without its faults, but with repeated listens and an honest approach to the metrics and themes Corgan's hitting, this rhizomed Pumpkins reboot will dispel your notions that the Pumpkins can't exist without its other three founding members.