This is a solid album throughout, and it feels like a bit of a return to form for Smashing Pumpkins. The songs are well-crafted and reminiscent of their '90s work. The music is grandiose without being too over-the-top. The strings and backing vocals on "Knights of Malta" are beautiful, and the build-up and guitar solo on "Alienation" are done just right. Those are definitely my two highlights off the album.
The harder tracks ("Solara", "Marchin' On", "Seek And You Shall Destroy") were a bit more difficult for me to get into, but all it took was time. I don't often focus on drums much (there's usually not a ton to focus on), but the drumming on this record really stands out to me. The brief drum solo on "Solara" (and the drumming throughout that song) really showcase Jimmy Chamberlin's technical skill; on the rest of the album, he does well to balance this with his expertise at knowing when to back off a bit. The lead-ins for the choruses on "Knights of Malta" serve as a perfect transition, adding so much to the rest of the song without overtaking it.
All in all, I'm pleased with this return from the band, with their almost-original lineup. What a shame that D'arcy couldn't be a part of this.
By: AlexDuncan