Bunker Rock Reviews: Smashing Pumpkins CYR

Release Date: November 27th 2020

Today Obsidian Eagle will do a very special review of the newest album by Smashing Pumpkins. I say special because unlike 'professional' reviewers, this amateur is a longtime fan of the band. From the moment the music video for Rocket debuted on MTV back in 1993, Yours Truly has been a loyal 'pumpkin head' who has seen the band perform live many times. OE has stuck with SP through thick and thin and can clearly recall its side projects such as Zwan and the Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. That being said, it doesn't mean I'm going to pull any punches here either. Anyhow, let's begin breaking it down...

Double Whammy

William Patrick Corgan has always had a penchant for dropping dual disks, for example: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) as well as Machina/The Machines of God (2000), which was followed closely behind that same year by Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music. CYR follows proudly in that tradition and one might even consider it a continuation of 2018's Shiny and Oh So Bright, since it shares a similar aesthetic at least insofar as cover art is concerned. As per my usual M.O. — I'm going to tackle this twenty track beast one song at a time:

1. The Colour of Love kicks things off with a strong synth-wave vibe which characterizes this whole project. These aren't unfamiliar sounds to anyone acquainted with 1998's Adore, which wasn't warmly received at the time but has actually aged fairly well. The current album represents a further foray toward where pop and rock meet.
2. Confessions of A Dopamine Addict is a slow-burn shoe-gazer jam that may not take to one's ear right away, but has great potential to stick as an acquired taste. Give it a chance and you might find as I did that its reflective lyrics rapidly grow on you.
3. Cyr is rightfully the flagship track and one can easily hear why. It's hella catchy and features an urgent refrain: "We're on the verge". At about 2:36 we're treated to some of Billy's trademark epizeuxis; a device used on older songs like Zero: "Emptiness is loneliness and loneliness is cleanliness and cleanliness is godliness and God is empty..." It's phrased quite differently here but becomes gratifying nonetheless. I particularly enjoy the backup vocals courtesy of Katie Cole and Sierra Swan.
4. Dulcet In E is pretty much what it promises to be: a sweet lilting melody that wanders its way to a harmonious chorus. Truly atmospheric in nature.
5. Wrath picks up the pace once again and flows so smoothly that it might get overlooked in the shuffle. Although I must say the word 'wrath' doesn't really fit as a name because its cadence is more contemplative than anything else.
6. Ramona is a remarkable progression of sonic elements that takes its time to tell a story and could give Scott Pilgrim a run for his money. The accompanying music video is no less interesting and drops hints at being this album's 'Roxanne' by The Police.
7. Anno Satana keeps on carrying the tempo forward. Ostensibly the title means 'year of the devil', possibly apropos to the one we're living through right now. Something about being wanted and yet not wanting? Its tune lingers nicely.
8. Birch Grove comes across a lot calmer from the frenetic buildup of the last few songs. It's definitely the runt of the litter and isn't my fave by any stretch.
9. Wyttch is another story altogether. It was released just in time for Halloween this year, hence I had the opportunity to spin it for friends at a (socially distanced) costume party. It's a fitting tribute to Samhain and All Hallows Eve that even got people dancing. Fond memories of a fun time!
10. Starrcraft marks our halfway point. It doesn't totally succeed in rocking despite displaying a fair bit of flair but it doesn't fall completely flat—in fact I found it both hopeful and uplifting.
11. Purple Blood packs a mean a bass line accompanied by bright chimes. The soft acoustic interludes are equally worthy of mention, making this a balanced power ballad.
12. Save Your Tears is an emotional canticle that lends itself to mondegreens, but that's alright. Past experience has taught that the lyric one mishears is often better than the official one anyway.
13. Telegenix is where Jimmy Chamberlin lays down a hypnotic drum beat that's easy to get caught up in. There's also a fine fusion of dark electro wed to wicked emo guitars (presumably played by James Iha and Jeff Schroeder).
14. Black Forest, Black Hills hits upon dramatic pipe organ keys coupled with robust bass riffs. However, it quickly loses momentum then eventually fades away almost abruptly.
15. Adrennalynne reintroduces a sense of urgency. It generally lives up to its namesake by powering through until reaching some heady high notes.
16. Haunted remains on the previously attained plateau and possesses rather religious overtones that imbue this number with the quality of a heavenly hymn. A surprisingly pleasant song.
17. The Hidden Sun seems to resonate with 2003's El Sol off the Zwan record. Which isn't to say that's a bad thing. Instead it imparts a good reminiscence that should be enjoyable for less seasoned listeners too.
18. Schaudenfreud typifies the relentless rhythm that any tenacious listener will certainly recognize by now. It's a little overwhelming to be honest.
19. Tyger, Tyger is refreshingly different from its kin. It sways to and fro in an alluring tropic swagger, sounding nearly as poetic as William Blake's poem The Tyger (which apparently inspired Billy Corgan).
20. Minerva is the meaningful end to an album that sure runs long in the tooth. Personally I think it's beautiful and can appreciate its central sentiment: "We are fools / but sometimes fools they rule". Similarly there's a line that asks: "Who wouldn't love you?" Which makes me wonder if the resemblance to 2000's Stand Inside Your Love is deliberate?

Takeaway

Overall CYR is an album rife with funny misspellings that successfully blends alternative rock stylings with EDM. Kudos to Corgan for producing this latest offering and wholeheartedly embracing the synthesizer effect. It's hard for a tenured fan such as myself not to want another album along the lines of 2007's Zeitgeist or a throwback to 1991's Gish, but we've already been there and done that, right? CYR gets a respectable 7.5/10 from me. Not the band's greatest showing to date but hey, anything by the best is still leagues beyond the rest!

Highlight Reel

Cyr (title track):

Ramona:

Wyttch: