Oceania
by The Smashing Pumpkins
  • Record Label: EMI
  • Release Date: Jun 19, 2012
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 118 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 102 out of 118
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 118
  3. Negative: 9 out of 118
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  1. pretaboo
    Jun 19, 2012
    4
    Don't believe the hype Billy Corgan has built up around this record. It's not at all the mix of classic old Pumpkins and new, more finely produced and clean Pumpkins. Opener Quasar sounds great. However, upon closer examination (of the album as a whole as well), riffs are stolen and recreated from classic Pumpkins songs. That really rubs me the wrong way, but if you can stand it, cheers toDon't believe the hype Billy Corgan has built up around this record. It's not at all the mix of classic old Pumpkins and new, more finely produced and clean Pumpkins. Opener Quasar sounds great. However, upon closer examination (of the album as a whole as well), riffs are stolen and recreated from classic Pumpkins songs. That really rubs me the wrong way, but if you can stand it, cheers to you. What follows are many mainstream rock moments (almost every song is tinged by cliche or immature lyrics: "And I'll kiss anyone tonight," "You don't deserve me and I don't deserve you," etc...). I expected top-notch lyricism, but Corgan apparently cares not for anything original. Despite its inability to choose between rehashing old songs again and again and again and exploring areas already traversed by many, many others, the record does have its moments (the borrowed riffs can still be enjoyable, depending on the degree of banality). The first two tracks and Pale Horse are the few stand-outs, trying to level out a very uneven listen. (This was meant to be a '4' rating, my bad for the '0')… Expand
  2. ScarTissue1990
    Feb 22, 2013
    6
    I'm not sure how to feel about this album. I'm a HUGE Pumpkins fan. But this seemed a little too poppy. With the exception of "My Love is Winter", "The Celestials", "Quasar", "Panopticon" and "Violet Rays." Not my favorite. But, it's was a noble effort. The Smashing Pumpkins are as good as they were in the 90's. Maybe it'll grow on me.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2012
75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Aug 29, 2012
    70
    Oceania lacks the emotional force that it needed to transcend what it is: a former rock star trying to sound vital again.
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  2. Uncut
    Aug 2, 2012
    70
    The loss of drummer Jimmy Chamberlain smarts, but "Quasar" and the :The Celestials" recall the Pumpkins' '90s heyday with out coming over as retread. [Sep 2012, p.86]
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Jul 19, 2012
    78
    Forget that it's probably the middle part of some overblown epic song set and enjoy it for what it is: 13 songs that try to break new ground, and generally succeed, while managing to sound like the Pumpkins we know rather than plastic studio production.
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