The Smashing Pumpkins

Add Date: June 26 

Artist: The Smashing Pumpkins 

Album: Oceania 

Label: EMI 

Genre: Rock, alternative 

Comments: Billy Corgan is a busy, busy man, what with his involvement in running a wrestling promotion and starting up a wrestling-based reality TV show. And, you know, those Radiohead jerks won't bash themselves, so somebody's got to do it. (Radiohead is sooooooo overrated. Right? Right?) So it may come as a surprise to you that Corgan has still found the time to write and record another Smashing Pumpkins album. He must be a wizard with time management! A wizard, I say!

Corgan has referred to Oceania as the best Smashing Pumpkins record since 1995's triumphant double LP Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. While that may be true, it's really not a glowing endorsement; did you hear Zeitgeist? That being said, if you can separate Corgan's deliberately abrasive personality from his musical ability--and, have no doubts, he's truly gifted--and you're OK with the fact that the rest of the Pumpkins' '90s lineup has fallen by the wayside, then Oceania is a very serviceable alternative rock record.

Check out tracks 12, 5, 11 and 10.