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. Liminal
    Nov 16, 2018
    8
    I'll keep taking Smashing Pumpkins music as long as they continue making it. The world is much better for it.

    A few notes: 1. "Solara" sounds significantly better within the context of the album and after repeat listens. Elements like "Starz" without the chorus of Billies, a tighter structure, and a better melody. 2. "Silvery Sometimes" is a hyper-listenable improvement and blending of    I'll keep taking Smashing Pumpkins music as long as they continue making it. The world is much better for it.

    A few notes: 1. "Solara" sounds significantly better within the context of the album and after repeat listens. Elements like "Starz" without the chorus of Billies, a tighter structure, and a better melody. 2. "Silvery Sometimes" is a hyper-listenable improvement and blending of Try, Try, Try and 1979 that doesn't feel like a retread. I can't listen to 1979 anymore, but I've been listening to this song on repeat for days. 3. "Alienation" stood out the most from my first few listens of the album as a whole. Reminiscent of "Stellar" and "Ma Belle" from the Zeitgeist era, both of which I really enjoy. Nice contrast of dynamics and propulsive tempo.

    If you added these songs into the mix with MTAE and split them up into two parts, you might have two stronger albums than either are on their own. Or perhaps the top ten songs from both albums would make a greater one: Tiberius, One and All, Being Beige, Drum + Fife, Monuments, Anti-Hero, Silvery Sometimes, Solara, Travels, and Alienation, maybe?

    I would expect the next full album effort from the band would be an improvement and will be eagerly looking forward to it. I like the potential for Billy, James, and Jeff to develop their guitar interplay in a way that has the potential to be greater than the wall of guitar sound that was constructed primarily by Billy himself in SD.    … Expand
  2. buddyponderosa
    Dec 7, 2020
    10
    At a time in most bands life cycle where they resort to just playing the hits, Billy Corgan and the Pumpkins have a top to bottom masterpiece of an album. I connected with these songs in a way that seems fresh and new. While the teenage version of myself connected with Siamese Dream and songs like "Today" my older self finds Shiny and oh so Bright, Vol.1 and songs like "Travels" to be justAt a time in most bands life cycle where they resort to just playing the hits, Billy Corgan and the Pumpkins have a top to bottom masterpiece of an album. I connected with these songs in a way that seems fresh and new. While the teenage version of myself connected with Siamese Dream and songs like "Today" my older self finds Shiny and oh so Bright, Vol.1 and songs like "Travels" to be just the tonic I needed.… Expand
  3. JPlake
    Nov 16, 2018
    9
    More a collection of songs than an album, but still fantastic. How can you not love the first SP song with gospel backing vocals?

    Fingers crossed for a proper SP album with Rick Rubin.
  4. octopusinks
    Nov 16, 2018
    8
    The songs themselves feel unique and are well written. However listening to them in sequential order doesn't do the record any justice. The bulk of the record turns out great work that will happily find its way into my playlists and weaves seamlessly into the bands massive catalog. Silvery ( Sometimes ), With Sympathy, Travels, and Seek & We Shall Destroy are really stand out songs. EachThe songs themselves feel unique and are well written. However listening to them in sequential order doesn't do the record any justice. The bulk of the record turns out great work that will happily find its way into my playlists and weaves seamlessly into the bands massive catalog. Silvery ( Sometimes ), With Sympathy, Travels, and Seek & We Shall Destroy are really stand out songs. Each would make solid singles IMO. While songs like Knights, Alienation & Marchin' On don't do anything for me personally, they are not with out some great moments or hooks. As someone who has heard the majority of the recorded music for this band over the past couple decades, I am not really sure what to think of Rubin's contribution. I don't really hear him pushing them through any walls sonically or in terms of songwriting. The mixing of the record also feels just as varied as the songs themselves. Lets just call this what it is. Its a collection of songs written at different times with cohesive art direction and a classic bloated album title. It still doesn't feel like a Pumpkins album, but I am really enjoying the songs none the less.… Expand
  5. Mordreadmay
    Nov 16, 2018
    7
    As a long-time Smashing Pumpkins fan, I am pleasantly surprised by this album.
  6. Ricko
    Dec 14, 2018
    8
    The brand of the Smashing Pumpkins are pushing this as their first album in 18 years. As a hardcore Pumpkins fan I find this a disservice to the 3 albums released on the Pumpkins label in those 18 years. "Zeitgeist", "Oceania" and "Monument to an Elegy" didn't fare well against the Pumpkins incredible back catalog but at the same time, they are all solid records ("Zeitgeist" is a greatThe brand of the Smashing Pumpkins are pushing this as their first album in 18 years. As a hardcore Pumpkins fan I find this a disservice to the 3 albums released on the Pumpkins label in those 18 years. "Zeitgeist", "Oceania" and "Monument to an Elegy" didn't fare well against the Pumpkins incredible back catalog but at the same time, they are all solid records ("Zeitgeist" is a great listen) that do not deserve to be deleted from history. The point I guess is that Corgan, Chamberlain and Iha are happy to let bygones be bygones and have come together to finally produce a follow up to the "Machina" albums. The results are good if not without fault. A qualified success. I think the singles lifted from this album are class "Solara" with it's heavy rock, "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)" with its radio friendly 1979 feel and "Knights of Malta" with a Beatlesesque feel. These are great songs and will in time fit in nicely on setlists with the Pumpkins material from the 90's. The rest of the album is more in the vein of Smashing Pumpkins post 2000 - that is to say songs that are satisfying without leaving a dent on your consciousness. "Shiny and Oh So Bright" probably is their best release since "Machina" and for a band in their 50's who at one time had so much vitriol between them, producing this is absolutely a triumph.… Expand
  7. mitbruin
    Dec 20, 2018
    7
    Would be better if the lyrics weren’t created by a random word generator. The song “Marchin’ On,” for example, sounds amazing - or at least it would if you couldn’t hear the words - but the nonsense lyrics (She stabs the empty clock?) prevent it from landing with any emotional impact, so what could’ve been a powerful song ends up feeling like a trifle.
  8. noahjwhite
    Feb 18, 2019
    8
    I've been a Pumpkins fan since 1994, and Billy Corgan and company continue to put out great, original music. There is nothing else out there like the Smashing Pumpkins. Like most of their albums, you have to listen to it about 10 times before you get it. My initial impression wasn't great, but this is definitely an album that will grow on you. I agree with other reviewers, in thatI've been a Pumpkins fan since 1994, and Billy Corgan and company continue to put out great, original music. There is nothing else out there like the Smashing Pumpkins. Like most of their albums, you have to listen to it about 10 times before you get it. My initial impression wasn't great, but this is definitely an album that will grow on you. I agree with other reviewers, in that there isn't a stand-out song here. To me, the Pumpkins were always at their best in their most melancholy, reflective, quiet moments. AKA, Soma, Sweet Sweet, Thirty-Three, Disarm, 1979, Soothe, Obscured, etc.... none of that is present in this album. It's almost pure rock. Which is competent, but nothing truly special.… Expand

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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