New album: Monuments To An Elegy
Artist: Smashing Pumpkins
Label: BMG Rights Management
Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
The only remnant of the Smashing Pumpkins involved with their 1990s heyday is Billy Corgan, the cue ball-headed imp that wrote all of the songs. In the case of their breakthrough “Siamese Dream,” other than the drums he played everything as well.
Since Corgan always had so much control over the band, there’s no need to get emotional over the rotating musicians he now surrounds himself with. As recent interviews indicate, Corgan possesses enough ego for two bands on his own anyway.
Unlike the previous “Oceania,” “Monuments To An Elegy” doesn’t go out of it’s way to recreate the classic Smashing Pumpkins sound. “Tiberius” kicks the album off in a loud enough manner, but the song never really takes off. In fact, the album is a bit of a nap until “One And All” finally exhibits something approaching memorable about a quarter of the way in.
One reason “Monuments To An Elegy” never achieves lift off is Corgan’s insistence on throwing in minor acoustic numbers that are bogged down with tired electronic beats. This approach didn’t work in his solo career or the Pumpkin’s first album misstep, “Adore.” Corgan gets points for following his muse, but someone should buy it a compass.
No one should expect Corgan to crank out a classic every time at bat, but fans of his more lauded works may want to sit this one out.
Classic album: Dark Side Of The Mule
Artist: Gov’t Mule
Label: Evil Teen
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
Without wasting ink on the musical prowess of Gov’t Mule, we all know they’re an incredible band. If you don’t know this already, go pick up their Georgia Bootleg box set and just try no to delve deeper into their vast catalog.
In a perfect world Gov’t Mule would be judged on the quality of leader Warren Haynes’ original material, but being a smart man he knows the jam crowd loves to hear covers. For their 2008 Halloween concert, Gov’t Mule recorded this live extravaganza of original material and Pink Floyd classics that is now available as a CD/DVD/vinyl set. You can purchase a version that only includes the Pink Floyd material, but that would be shortsighted.
The first disc features a strong set of Mule classics (“Bad Little Doggie,” “Monkey Hill”), with a great version of the Allman Brothers’ instrumental “Kind Of Bird” (co-written by Haynes) thrown in for good measure. This set on it’s own would make for a killer live album, but wait, there’s more.
Next up is the Floyd set. Aside from an unnecessary version of the puny “Pigs On The Wing” from “Animals,” Gov’t Mule does the Floyd catalog justice. Haynes blistering slide work on the galloping instrumental “One Of These Days” taps into that same cosmic blues current that David Gilmour originally sourced in 1971. From the same time period the Mule resurrects “Fearless”, which untarnished by FM overplay sounds as fresh as a daisy.
Two brilliant 13-minute sections of the show are dedicated to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” followed by invigorating versions of “On The Run” and “Great Gig In The Sky.” They couldn’t have gotten out of the building without playing “Money” and “Comfortably Numb,” but Haynes vocals and guitar playing (along with exquisite keyboard work from Danny Louis) elevate these classic rock staples above mere crowd pleasing fare.
Hopefully “Dark Side Of The Mule” will encourage people stopping by only for the Floyd to investigate this great band further.
Jon Dawson’s books available at www.jondawson.com.
Jon Dawson’s album reviews appear every Thursday in The Free Press. Contact Jon at 252-559-1092 or jon.dawson@kinston.com.