REVIEW: MATCHBOX TWENTY - WHERE THE LIGHT GOES

3.5/5

Light The Match.

MB20 release an album one week after DMB! What is this? The 90s (our hairlines and guts wish)? When Matchbox 20's lead singer Rob Thomas had a summer 'Smooth' smash single with Carlos for the super successful Santana 'Supernatural' album like Dave Matthews' 'Love Of My Life'? Either way, in a day and age where we seem to be stuck in a cycle of negativity, it's nice to have some positivity again like this golden era music, no matter who thinks it's cornier than your snack draw. A time when we were Counting Crows on a Train, even if our Third Eye Was Blind to Semisonic like a Timberlake friend with benefits. Nostalgia we wish for like dreaming of R.E.M. so we can be 'Shiny Happy People' again, even if they hated that song with the B52's. Matchbox Twenty's first album in over a decade (since 2012's 'North') has a lot in common with the album ten years before that-'More Than You Think You Are' and its 'Hand Me Down' and 'The Difference' standouts-all the way down to the artwork. 'Yourself Or Someone Like You', their definitive debut, remains their signature classic out the matchbook in this 'Mad Season', but approaching their 30th anniversary, 20 give us a fresh new album with their fifth strike. 

'Where The Light Goes' is right here, and it shines on the favourite 'Friends' opener that will be there for you like your nearest and dearest. No rain will start to pour on this sunny parade. Yes, it's cheesy (so is this review), but it's feel good in a time when the long day feels like 3am. It's a good hallmark to be greeted with right now. Besides, it's not patronizing positivity, they know the pain After the out there opener for the Orlando, Florida act's grand return we are treated to the new single 'Wild Dogs (Running In A Slow Dream)' that keeps that same energy for these wild hogs. This Atlantic album is your new North as the 'Rebels' sing, "When you lose yourself/In photographs/And the room gets heavy/'Cause you can't go back to 16/Rainbow hair and ripped jeans", looking at faded youth in dark denim. This 'One Hit Love' and sure-fire single is not a one hit wonder though as Twenty know how to bring the good old day back, even if that decade is a drive or two in the rearview. 

Matchbox are always at their most mesmerizing when they slow things down though, and a trifecta of takes in that turn sandwich the album with its real filling, no album filler. 'Warm Blood' like a Norah Jones 'Young Blood' will really stir yours as the best of this set, handing itself down. Thomas is terrific, singing, "You got all your eggshells/Hidden underneath your stares/I've got my distractions to rеplace you/Oh, we act like thеre's a reason/Left for you to care/I act like there's some reason left to face you", bringing us break-up ballads sounding beautiful, but also, at their most brutal. Such is love and life like the crowning of the 'Queen Of New York City' that celebrates the one you put on the throne like a regal affair. "She says, "Man, I'm gonna leave this town/'Cause I got wings under my feet"/Then she tells you she gets vertigo/When she goes above 14th Street", this is classic Twenty, like yellow cabs and hot dogs on the steamy streets of NYC this summer. 

The album title track of 'WTLG' takes you even deeper, before MB20 'Hang On Every Word' and its "Don't let your falling stars blow out/No matter what you've heard/Don't let the rainy days/Cloud what you’re seeing/I know you're thinking that you've shown up/With so much you need to learn/But all you have to do is talk to me/And I will hang", sticking around with you devotion. But 'Don't Get Me Wrong' on the band's second single, it may have been a decade and some change, but they're still the same and here to stay. Rob Thomas may have become a solo star, but he knows where it was all set off from. 'I Know Better'? Nah! But this concept song does like a 'Man From The Magazine' for Haim. As Thomas plays master manipulator in character at a mansplaining song that feels like it's taking shots at DeSantis and the state of their Florida home.  "I will always know better/So I really don't see/A problem with knowing the answer/In the absence of those who agree/I've got access to information/That's very hard to find/So you must forgive me/For taking up your time/You see, I've done my research/A lesson should be taught/So when you tell me why you're right/I'll show you how you're not", Rob sings, sounding sinister in this subversive song. 

It's not all snake oil 'Selling Faith' though on an album you can believe in thanks to that classic conclusion and the penultimate perfect precursor in 'No Other Love' featuring the heart of Amanda Shires. The fiddler on the roof and The Highwomen country supergroup founder like a rock Boygenius with the talents of Maren Morris, Natalie Hemby and acclaimed artist of the moment Bradi Carlile. Taking it like a man, the boys are back in town with faith as we sing along, "You and me and all this love/Ring the bell til summer comes/Calling out from a long long way/We’ll hold it down for one more day/And when that day turns into night/We’ll dance with the devil in the pale moonlight" like The Joker of Jack Nicholson to Kim Basinger and Michael Keaton's Batman under a purple rain like Prince. Keaton and Tim Burton's classic character creation is unbelievably back in a flash this summer season in cinema. And when it comes to blockbuster music, one of the biggest bands are back to light the fuse like a 'Mission: Impossible' reckoning. Slide open the matchbox and strike the stick across the side, as you drop the needle on a record that crackles like a flame, Twenty are back, simple and plain. In the end, I guess they do make them like they used to. Let the light in and shine. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Wild Dogs (Running In A Slow Dream)', 'Warm Blood', 'Queen Of New York City'. 

REVIEW: DAVE MATTHEWS BAND - WALK AROUND THE MOON

4/5

Matthews On The Moon.

Giants steps are what Dave Matthews band take, taking a 'Walk Around The Moon'. All for DMB's first album since the 'Come Tomorrow' of 2018. Also, sadly the group's first album since the loss of founding member Boyd Tinsley. May he rest peacefully. Dave Matthews and his band of brothers remain one of the best bands of all-time...let alone the most successful and 'Crash Into Me' famous. They've even had 'Dream Girl' Julia Roberts in one of theor music videos. Some may hate, but what about the love they show? The act may have sold out shows in Central Park, but the Charlottesville, Virginia born band have also performed benefit concerts, raising money and spirits, rallying a cry for freedom in the state of today's America that's missing the United front. Their call to embracing arms, reaching everyday people in all sorts of ways. All as DMB try to remove the DMV of their and the fans', who still sleep in line for a place at the front of the stage, carbon footprint. And you thought the broken Moe's Tavern bottle glass shard recycling R.E.M. were the golden 90s era, environmentally friendly act of modern American music. 

Confronting mortality like a band-leading GQ feature or the man Dave Matthews paid tribute to like his name was Al, Paul Simon. They release their mellow yellow spiritual new set on the same day Art Garfunkel's former partner in rhyme does for Simon's first album in five-years too ('Seven Psalms'). Highlighting a subtle but beautiful New Music Friday with the desert discs of amazing album artwork in compelling collage that extends a palm to you in black and white. All as their tribal blossoming roses from concrete welcome abroad new member Buddy Strong to their hold. From the sands where you can see the stars this trip 'Around The Moon' like a Michael Stipe sun was preceded by the protest single 'Madman's Eyes'. With the 'Wide Open Light' of activist and fellow accomplished artist Ben Harper's new album on the June bug horizon, this is the music of meaning we need tight now as we make our way through the woes of a world of worry and heartbreaking hurt. 

"Oh, little Billy's got a gun/Little Billy's having fun/Shooting bottles on the wall/Dreams the hero come home from war/Is this real?/Is this make-believe?/We think we know how everything's supposed to be/Like a train blowing full steam ahead/Can't hear what you're saying with everybody screaming", the storyteller tells us like it's all too real. Although Dave Matthews eggshell treads carefully as he doesn't want to be the white male telling us how wrong everything is. Yet, Matthews has always tried to convey a better way in his music, guided by love. He can get political like Dylan waxing lyrical all he wants if he's protesting for peace. We need to worry less about that in a world where we need to be more concerned about how some people's pride is boosted by shaming others. If we're trying to bring people together, there's nothing wrong with that...right? Rest assured, Dave will set you on the right path of feeling loved and appreciated in a time that sees the search through eyes a lot more weary and weathered by the storm than they once were. 

The amazing album track serves as not only the opening, but the latest chart release. Yet, it's the second single 'Monsters' that penultimately really roars. "Even if fear don't put you down/Oh, won't you lean on me while I'm around/No rope to hang the dead/No line to save the drowning man/Just the monsters in your head/Nothing in the closet/Nothing underneath the bed/Just the monsters in your head/Killer's eyes and painted faces/The Devil wants your soul, but Jesus saves/Traffic jam is a angry maze/The Devil wants your soul, but Jesus saves", Matthews growls with his own Psalms over a lyrical video and photographic collage of the people for our collective memory, reminding us the world is as one under the sun. 

Their COVID album 'Looking For A Vein' in the pandemic for the planet, finds one like the solo falsettos of 'Grey Blue Eyes' that was like a 'Lift Me Up' from a singing Springsteen. Stream 'The Ocean and the Butterfly' and you will find the same beauty in a song that spreads its wings as a new fan favourite. 'It Could Happen' to you too like Nicolas Cage's cop and Bridget Fonda's waitress winning the lotto as Matthews scores, "Oh, how it happened, blew the lid/And got a taste, some kind of magic/It could happen like it did/Like we awoke, we were still dreaming/When it happened like it did If I wasn't there, I wouldn't believe." The poetry and power of his prose remaining subtly profound to all around. 

But 'After Everything' (or before in this case) on an album that deals with the spectre of meeting your maker, it's the standout cut 'Something To Tell My Baby' that's the real deep cut. A classic you could leave your kids when you're gone. "Well, you know/Someday we're all gonna leave here/Maybe sooner than we wanted/But it's special because it's fleeting/All of the things that we did/What do we leave behind us?/Something that will remind them/Something to make them smile/When they think about it/Something to tell my baby/Something she could reach for", he tells us like it is, in a song that would make anyone respect their elders. The statesmen and veteran in this game stating it plain. Look out for those that did you, because we'll all be old one day...if we're even lucky to get that far. 

The break-up ballad 'All You Ever Wanted Was Tomorrow', in the same vein as when Bruno Mars yearned for the time he was your man (giving you all his flowers and hours in retrospect for love and life), could be steeped in the sadness of passing friends as much as it is relationship regret. "When all you wanted was tomorrow/Your picture albums on the wall/The good old days and times of sorrow/Yeah, but tomorrow never comes/Oh, tomorrow never comes", yearning for the friends of yesterday, to go along with the hearts. 'The Only Thing' continues this calm that hides a songwriting storm, before 'Break Free' does like Queen for these kings. Set for the stadiums it's showed out in. "I drink your poison if you fill the cup/You make me crazy baby, don’t let up/And if I’m fallin’ I don’t want to stop/I give up everything to have your love." Nobody sings about f#####g with this much heart. 

'Singing From The Windows' calls the end to this album for all an audience to hear as you sing from your showers with a reckless abandon like you were in the mountains of this album's artwork. But herein lies the real rub, however. "When the war is over/And we go back to every day, every day/Will it be the same again/When you've been turned inside out and outside in?/Singing from the windows/Shadows on the wall, the way they dance/Not much of nothing/But look at this fire burning bright." Dave Matthews, who grew up in South Africa and now is as Seattle as Macklemore or Frasier Crane, sees peace after the protest. Love amongst all the hate. A mellowing mediation of meaningful joy between the misery and malaise. There's nothing to juxtapose here or look at in irony. The influence of DMB is one of positive inspiration. Dignified without a shred of preachy pretentiousness. After all, these are the small steps they practice every day to make their giant leap. Man, be kind. It's the only way to walk and make it around. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Madman's Eyes', 'Something To Tell My Baby', 'All You Wanted Was Tomorrow'. 

REVIEW: PAUL SIMON - SEVEN PSALMS

4/5

Simon Psalms.

In the same week that Dave Matthews makes an interview with GQ magazine a matter of life and death, as he and his name band take giants steps for a 'Walk Around The Moon', the man he once helped pay tribute to in the Grammy salute CBS special 'Homeward Bound', Paul Simon, confronts his own mortality. Coming out of what seemed like a retirement after a half-decade (2018's 'In The Blue Light'), the 81-year-old Jersey boy who grew up in Queens gets spiritual with his 'Seven Psalms'. You may Troy McClure know this man from such golden era jukebox hits like 'You Can Call Me Al' (that the DMB man was 'Bound' to cover with his own unique and endearing styling), but this is the most profoundly beautiful piece of music made by the man since the most iconic duo in music history (sorry Chas and Dave), Simon and Garfunkel gave us the powerful 'Sound Of Silence'. 

Simon says, "hello light, my old friend" this time out though as his Psalms keep him closer to the Holy Ghost. For his fifteenth set recorded for Owl and Legacy records it's all Acoustic, accompanied by stirring singing over the strings. It's a seven-part piece (hence, the name of course), intended to be listened to in its entirety for a true spiritual experience before you meet your maker. That's why if you stream it on Spotify this one track plays together for the just over half-hour run time. And trust me, bathed in its Holy waters, you won't want to experience anything else during its meditation. Just like turning the lights off and letting God in. This album shines. Like beautiful Eva Cassidy acoustics walking us through fields of gold. Sure, like Sting releasing albums on lutes about "crumpets roasting by the open-fire", or something to that effect, this might be too much for some Simon fans. But you'll remember it when the west wing blows. Besides, there's not much in this world better than crumpets roasting by the open-fire. 

Although this album is close to the Holy book, the lyrics to go with you as you walk with two footprints in the sand are all from Simon's great American songbook. It's his first original material in almost a decade since 2016's 'Stranger To Stranger', and it's outstanding. From 'Graceland' to the Holy one, he brings trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and his beloved wife Edie Brickell to this communion. Together like the two owls perched atop a brand of a tree as the sun goes down on some amazing album artwork by Thomas Moran. It could be the Garden of Eden for the Big Apple singer. One thing is for sure mind, in beautiful bloom this album really does feel like heaven. 

Between 3.00 and 5.30am Simon would wake up with this album on his mind, now like another Paul he's doing 'The Lord's' work from its heaven sent like INXS opening. Writing lyrics as he burnt the oil in his home fire. These seven seals inspired by the Book Of Psalms play classically and cohesively together, but all still stand out in their own individual way, even if they are not separated in structure. Especially the standout track 'Love Is Like A Braid', where Simon sings, "Home, home/Sun on my doorstep/Shocks me to find/I'm a child again еntwined/In your love, in your light/In your cool summer shadе/The garden keeps a rose and a thorn/And once the choice is made/All that's left is/Mending what was torn/Love is like a braid/Love is like a braid."

Weaving the lyrical and the spiritual like plaited hair, this is Simon's 'Harvest'. Acoustics haven't sounded this pure since Neil Young sang under that same moon. Whether it's asking for 'Your Forgiveness', or giving 'My Professional Opinion', Paul Simon brings the beauty, even when dealing with the brutality of modern day apocalypses. Saying that "The Lord is the COVID virus". Are we in for the rapture of a reckoning as Paul prophesizes a 'Trail Of Volcanoes'? "When I was young/I carried my guitar/Down to the crossroads/And over the seas/Now those old roads/Are a trail of volcanoes/Exploding with refugees/It seems to me/We're all walking down/The same road/To wherever it ends", he story tells us. But before we 'Wait' for the seventh seal of the curtain like a new day reprise, Simon plays 'The Sacred Harp'. "The sacred harp/That David played to make his/Songs of praise/We long to hear those strings/That set his heart ablaze", he sings getting closer to him like the glory. Making and Hozier taking us to a church in a studio, embracing us in an extended hand like the arms of God. The Lord's work forever and ever done. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'The Lord', 'Love Is Like A Braid', 'Your Forgiveness'. 

SOUNDTRACK REVIEW: GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY AWESOME MIX VOL. 3

4/5

Hooks With Feeling. 

Dust off your Zunes carrying more Soot Gremlins than your vinyls people. The classic conclusion to James Gunn's 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' is here for you to Marvel at before the director flies off to DC with his Superman script. All as Chris Pratt defeats himself at the box-office. Or should we say a Mario for the mega 'Super Mario Bros.' movie. What would Vol. 3 of these Galaxy Guardians be without another epic volume of music for your playlist? And as this one builds up yours, everything is awesome like another animated Pratt. 

'Hooked On A Feeling', these a-holes has given us timeless classic after timeless classic. Fooling around and falling in love with 'Mr. Blue Sky' again. Even last fall's 'The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special' precursor gave us more under the tree. Like the fact that the Smashing Pumpkins (who also complete their massive 'Atum' magnum-opus of 'A Rock Opera In Three Acts' this week) have a 'Christmastime' ode. Now, it's time for one last go around, spinning you right that way for the record. And Gunn and all he has in his chamber doesn't miss a beat. His musical curations hold just as much meaning as his direction as music and movies compliment each other in this entertainment industry, just like his 'The Suicide Squad' spin-off powerhouse 'Peacemaker' series, and it's all dancing theme. 

It all begins with 'A Star Is Born' director and actual reborn music man, Bradley Cooper's Rocket Racoon (whose origin story spearheads this final curtain from the outset) singing along to an awesome acoustic version of Radiohead's classic 'Creep'. After that you'll be jamming along to Heart's 'Crazy On You' and Rainbow's 'Since You've Been Gone' like your name was Kelly Clarkson. Reminding you of how the remix revitalized the trailer when Marvel were trailing from bad reviews and press in their wake. Spacehog ('In The Meantime') and The Flaming Lips ('Do You Realize'??) give this set more kick. But if you want any more 'Reasons' why you need to stream through this with no shuffle, then Earth Wind and Fire will give you exactly that with this epic. Motown standing side to side with rock and roll in this Hall of Fame like it always did and should remain. 

Faith No More cares a lot and the 'Koinu No Carnival' of the 'Minute Waltz' from EHAMIC powers a pivotal scene. Yet it's Alice Cooper who is 'Always Chasing Rainbows' and deserves his own cameo in a Marvel movie. The Mowgli's leave 'San Francisco' with some flowers in their hair as our Guardians head to a different world like the San Fran/Tokyo mash-up of Stan Lee's 'Big Hero 6'. The The tell us 'This Is The Day' and the 'Poor Girl' of X keeps the wheel on your rotating mp3 player spinning. But the best are truly saved for last. Like getting 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn' like the Beastie Boys for an epic throwdown. The best use of the New York rap pack since the 'Star Trek' Chris Pine as Kirk 'Sabotage'. I guess Pratt didn't tell Gunn that this was Mario's plumbing theme song too down the pipes. 

Retro has always been the vibe with the GOTG. But those 'Dog Days Are Over' now, Cosmo. And how this movie in its final frames uses Florence and the Machine will fondly find you, even if it feels a little funny. There's nothing better than hearing Bruce Springsteen's 'Badlands' in the closing credits, however. The Boss made it. That is until The Replacements '(I) Will Dare' to prove otherwise. Bringing it all to a classic close for these musical credits you stick around for even if there wasn't any traditional Marvel post picture scenes (there is, one trading song requests). Bringing back Redbone like 'Atlanta' awakening mine with 'Come and Get Your Love'. Playing out over a classic picture of the freaking 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' that actually looks like an album cover. We already know who has dropped the hottest mixtape of 2023. They've won the dance off, bro. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Zune Playlist Picks: Radiohead - 'Creep (Acoustic Version)', Beastie Boys - 'No Sleep Till Brooklyn', Bruce Springsteen - 'Badlands'. 

REVIEW: LEON BRIDGES - GOOD THING (DELUXE)

4/5

Better Thing. 

Picture the scene if you will. It's 2018. I'm going through the worst year of my life. We don't need to get into any dark details, but it was pretty bleak. Until a note from my dear mother saved me and set me off on a path that now finds me in the Far East, living the best life I've ever had in Japan. We need say no more, but let's just say in 2018 I didn't think I'd even be here...let alone HERE! Life is funny sometimes and a beautiful thing if you let it be. 

What does this have to do with US soul sensation Leon Bridges? Well back in those less than positive times I was harping on about how we had no new heroes in music. Like a Lennon, Springsteen, Marvin, or Sam. How wrong I was with the likes of Leon 'Coming Home' with his vintage era debut of old soul, Maggie Rogers (who Spotify introduced me to right after listening to this album we're about to get into) and Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino showing us that 'This Is America'. Back at my lowest point I couldn't even muster the meaning to write (my one saving grace). But then working at a local record store. The cinematic opening to Leon Bridges' 'Good Thing', 'Bet Ain't Worth The Hand' came into play. You're so right, brother. 

The video saving lost souls lifted me up with even more meaning. As did the moving and shaking of the 'Bad, Bad News' single and the video's central character confronting her harasser. Then somewhere in Texas like a love I'd later find, but alas lose (but that's life, and when they're happier, you are too) the beautiful video for the great 'Beyond' showed me I could lose my heart again...and be so happy doing it. So now with a nice new track ('Naomi') on a deluxe edition to mark the half decade anniversary (has it really been that long) of 'Good Thing', here's the review I owe you and was always meant to write Leon. Thank you. 

Since then Bridges has got even 'Sweeter' for political protest with Stevie subtlety. He's released a gold standard album with 'Gold-Diggers Sound', riding on his 'Motorbike'. And he's even collaborated with Khruangbin on the 'Texas Sun' and 'Moon' of some epic extended plays. He hasn't stopped and neither have I. Nursing the wounds of 'Forgive You', making some mistakes myself, but always forging ahead, with hope and a full heart. From 'Shy' to 'Lions', 'Good Thing' made men out of mice, and now it's all good times like a show this throwback singer could find a home in. It only took a half-hour, but sometimes you just need a minute or two to turn it all around. 'From Georgia to Texas', 'If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be)', 'Mrs.' On 'You Don't Know' Leon sang, "You don't know/But it's right in front of me/You ain't got to play it cool, baby/Find that fire, set it free," and he doesn't even know the half. "Any time, any place, anywhere, you wake up." Coming home, some albums change the game. Others, change your world. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Bet Ain't Worth The Hand', 'Bad, Bad News', 'Beyond'. 

REVIEW: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - ATUM: A ROCK OPERA IN THREE ACTS

4/5

The Pumpkin Of The Opera. 

'Atum' baby! From ZERO to 90s golden era heroes (no emo) like a 'Siamese Dream'. If you thought 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness' and its ravishing reissue was Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins' magnum opus...well, you'd be right. Take it back to the '95 time before iPod's and Spotify streams where you'd have this double album alternating in your Sony Discman whilst you looked up to these metal Gods like characters in a rock opera. Well now they are, in a super sequel to the 'Sadness' and the 'Machina/The Machines Of God' 2000 concept with this classic trilogy. One told over three acts that could even make their week-by-week 'Teargarden By Kaleidyscope' project weep with envy at its palette. 

Act One took to the stage last November. Act Two, to end this January. Now the third and final act of this 11 song stream completes the 33 on the same day the conclusion to Marvel's 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' trilogy comes out. The Pumpkins' 'Christmastime' song featured in a pivotal moment of 'The Guardians Of The Galaxy Holiday Special' for James Gunn's nostalgia scoring soundtracks. And now 'Atum: A Rock Opera In Three Acts' has the Metallica metal to turn the next season of 'Stranger Things' upside down. 

This terrific twelfth studio album has well more than a dozen tracks, even if each album totals at just under that with eleven (but let's stop the 'Stranger' references). This is a playlist that you should just let play like the whole discography, 'Mellon Collie' to 'Teargarden'. Because this Smashing streaming like a Springsteen or Sinatra shows just how bold, beautiful and brilliant their body of work actually is. Stellar with no skips. Nothing but classics reminding us of a linear notes time when amazing artists released actual albums for their compelling catalogues. This is why you should buy into the idea of the physical box set and the ten extra exclusive songs you get from a band that keeps making more music no matter how many years or line-up changes they go through. Hey, John Frusciante has left and come back to the Red Hot Chili Peppers more than former Laker players. Meanwhile, this alternative rock act from Jordan's Chicagoland keep their outstanding output on loop, moving like the wind in this city. 

Act One in 2020's 'Cyr' follow-up in Halloween blue begins with the album-titled grand opening. This concept album was originally conceived around 2018, but with guitarist James Iha's return, the Pumpkins forged ahead with a fun 8-track 'Shiny and Oh So Bright', whilst planning a return to touring. A tour they are now on after COVID-19 shut everything down. A pandemic which kept us at home and Smashing in the studio, working out the songs that would become their second magnum opus, if you ever thought there could be such a thing. Continuing the 'Infinite Sadness' and 'Machina' stories of "Glass" and "Zero", the latter making for a black t-shirt more iconic in their time than Rolling Stone lips and tongues. Now known as "Shiny" like the 2018 album they are in season for the Autumn pronounced 'Atum'. 

The beautiful 'Butterfly Suite' rocks with bullet wings and 'The Good In Goodbye' shows the 'Gasms' of Smokey Robinson what he was missing. The miracle mind, comes from the epic 'Embracer'. But after that hold and tides you over, more comes to shore like the profound 'What Ado I Do' and some 'Hooligan' music. Asking, "Written as the birthright/On pregnant bough, a guarded night/Is it more than what you'd bargained for?" on 'Steps In Time'. On 'Where Rain Must Fall' Corgan tells us, "On a starway to the... /Soul infernal/Hark as eternal/Through tides of kerosene/Just put your mind out/Where it can't be reached." But it's the act one closer of 'The Gold Mask' after one last 'Hooray' and revealing what's 'Beyond The Vale' that really covers all bases. To be born anew/To live and not quite lose/To trust every day/Stay unchanged," Billy broods with biblical proportions in this engaging epic of being born again. 

Act Two storms in with an 'Avalanche' of rock and roll like 'Porcelina'. The single of the second set is the beguiling and stunning 'Beguiled', which played out on the end credits of Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston's 'Murder Mystery 2' on Netflix. These 'Neophyte' 'Empires' are worthy of legends and kings. But it's the 'Night Waves' that will take you away tonight, tonight after gathering 'Moss' like Mick Jagger. In this 'Space Age' time, lyrics lace the science to your fiction like, "Stars should follow/Stars worth sorrow/Where all tomorrows/That bore brunt, borrowed time/Used to run, run blue/I used to run, run abused/Built 'round an orbit I'd presume/But here there is nothing old, old of you (Of you)/And sold, sold as shrewd." 'Every Morning' there's more than a halo hanging with this spiritual track, before we are taken 'To The Grays'. Then 'The Culling' kills it even more with this nuanced motion that nostalgia sounds so fresh in this day and age where we miss and yearn for the good times we once had. But it's the curtain of act two, 'Springtimes' for us, that left us wanting and excited for more that has now come this May. 

The finale of 'Atun' just before summer is told to us with a seven minute 'Sojourner' that is Billy Corgan and his band's audio storytelling at its finest for their songbook. 'That Which Animates The Spirit' is exactly that. But it's 'The Canary Trainer' that you'd put down with the darkness like a coal mine. "Yes, I will let you go, I'll let you go/You broke my heart as whole/And leapt unknown and beautiful/Found where there’s lilac's brawn/Idylls born of gods/Yet wrecked in man's whole cloth/I would write his calm, I’d even toll." There is an art to Corgan's classic songwriting that is simply scripture. 'Pacer' keeps faith with that like the sweet success of 'In Lieu Of Failure'. It's tracks like 'Cenopath', 'Harmageddon' and the illuminating 'Fireflies' that are pure Pumpkins and reminders of why they were and still remain revolutionaries of our time that forgets our heroes as quick as we turn them into zeroes. 

Singing for them as this album and three part epic takes its leave 'Of Wings', the inspired 'Intergalactic' is a beast of a marvel, boy. But it's the 'Spellbinding' single and penultimate track of 'Atum' that does exactly that for us. Putting a spell of words on us like, "It's Bеrlin, baby, weimar blues!/Blues and grays won't make the change/Can you feel this love I've made?/Take me away/Take me away." Taking us away again as we find new love for Zero and Glass until we all shine like the happy people we were before the fall. 'Atum' stays attuned to the Smashing sound of what their music always meant to us. And if this operatic ode is the type of Halloween we get from the Pumpkins carving out three records for one. We can't wait for when winter is coming. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: Act One:  'Atum', 'The Good In Goodbye', 'Embracer'. Act Two: 'Empires', 'Night Waves', 'Beguiled'. Act Three: 'Sojourner', 'Cenotaph', 'Spellbinding'.