Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1: No Past. No Future. No Sun
by The Smashing Pumpkins
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 62
  3. Negative: 9 out of 62
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  1. hurtlocker84
    Nov 16, 2018
    5
    Most mediocre SP album to date. Weak collection of songs with no depth and few of the hallmarks of the band. All the songs are short and blow by without leaving much of an impression at all. Billy is clearly consciously diluting the bands sound because he's still desperate to have a hit. The production is also horribly squashed which is typical of Rubin, and Jimmy's drums sound like a toyMost mediocre SP album to date. Weak collection of songs with no depth and few of the hallmarks of the band. All the songs are short and blow by without leaving much of an impression at all. Billy is clearly consciously diluting the bands sound because he's still desperate to have a hit. The production is also horribly squashed which is typical of Rubin, and Jimmy's drums sound like a toy drum set. Billy's vocals are often strained and hoarse sounding. Having James and Jimmy back is a non-issue and does nothing to save this mediocre set. A total disappointment and overall 5/10 at best.… Expand
  2. DavidWasHere
    Nov 17, 2018
    6
    As a huge fan of the Pumpkins, I wanted to like this album a lot more than I did. And i'm not saying I wanted another Siamese Dream or Mellon Collie, but I just wanted a solid album from the band. And what I got was just alright, not exactly terrible but I don't mind it too much. However for a band that was once ambitious it's hard not to see that once firey passion the band once had. OrAs a huge fan of the Pumpkins, I wanted to like this album a lot more than I did. And i'm not saying I wanted another Siamese Dream or Mellon Collie, but I just wanted a solid album from the band. And what I got was just alright, not exactly terrible but I don't mind it too much. However for a band that was once ambitious it's hard not to see that once firey passion the band once had. Or more specifically, while Billy Corgan has been quite vocal about the direction of rock music has gone, he falls under the same trappings.

    The compositions and instrumentation are fine, they certainly sound like a Pumpkins song, there's no mistaking their signature sound, however the production guts it. It's too sanitized and polished. I'm kind of surprised Rick Rubin produced this album, because it doesn't have his infamous signatures when he produces a rock album. It feels more like the band wanted to go in a pop direction, and as a result what should sound big and anthemic comes off toothless. These songs beg for more crunch and grit! Like the percussion from Jimmy is pretty solid, but the mix does him no favors as the other instruments swallows the drums. Which ironically enough is typical for a Rick Rubin production!

    There really isn't much to talk about besides that for me really. It sounds like a Pumpkins album, and it kind of feels like Pumpkins on cruse control. Not exactly going fast, but just staying the same speed down a highway, but not in the passing lane. Most of the energy and passion just isn't there, even with returning members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin. It feels very much like the band's last record, Monuments. Except honestly I think Monuments is a far stronger album IMO because I could recall the singles off that album. Outside of Silvery Sometimes, which I feel is a solid pop rocker, there isn't much memorability too this album, even with the band's sound that I am very much fond of. Maybe that fondness is what is saving me from being too harsh on this album, besides I can't say it's flat out terrible and it does feel like the band did put in effort in making the songs here, like I said the compositions and instrumentation is great, but it's one of the band's least memorable albums, and definitely not the return to form so many fans wanted. At least for me.    … Expand
  3. Gam123
    Nov 26, 2018
    4
    As a longtime Pumpkins fan, I was very disappointed by this album. It sounds half baked and half hearted. A few songs..like Silvery Sometimes for example.. hint at the old Pumpkins magic...the rest of it just sounds like they are trying to be some crappy modern day band like Imagine Dragons or something. If this album was a James Bond film it would be Quantum of Solace.

Awards & Rankings

91
#91 Most Discussed Album of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 23
  3. Negative: 1 out of 23
  1. The Skinny
    Dec 19, 2018
    60
    Overall, Shiny And Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. is a pleasantly nostalgic, brief album--half of which is sensational and the other is painstakingly poor.
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  2. Under The Radar
    Nov 30, 2018
    70
    All in all, it's a welcome return and one that suggests The Smashing Pumpkins' business is far from finished.
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  3. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 26, 2018
    74
    The album endears itself with a simpler style and digestible runtime provided the ridiculous 60s synths and wee-ooh vocals don't immediately turn you off. It clearly will not go down in anyone's book as a classic release, but for a change it's a Pumpkins album that's aware of that fact, cleverly baking that unassuming simplicity into every note and half-nonsense lyric.
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