Ogilala
by William Patrick Corgan
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
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  1. Uncut
    Oct 23, 2017
    60
    The issue here is the sameness of his songs. [Dec 2017, p.25]
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  2. The A.V. Club
    Oct 13, 2017
    58
    No matter what he does to it, that voice is still unmistakably Billy, and while Ogilala gives it some genuine moments of quietly affecting beauty, after 11 beatless tracks laden with burdensome titles (“Amarinthe,” “Antietam,” “Shiloh,” “Half-Life Of An Autodidact”), yet light on memorable melodies or any lyrics that match the frankness of the setting, by album’s end, you long to hear it over a wall of guitars again.
  3. Pitchfork
    Oct 26, 2017
    57
    Corgan settles for an album that’s tastefully cordial but about as suspenseful as a round of bumper bowling. There are a few moments when everything clicks, when the passive pleasantness gives way to active pleasure, most of them involving a smartly deployed string quartet.
  5. Record Collector
    Oct 13, 2017
    40
    Most of Billy 2.0’s low-key lullabies are pleasant enough. Indeed, you could place any one of them in the middle of a big rock record as an eyebrow-raising, spine-tingling palate cleanser. Enduring them all in one sitting is, unfortunately, less fun than consuming 11 consecutive courses of the same pumpkin-flavoured sorbet.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 32 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 32
  3. Negative: 4 out of 32
  1. julio-br
    Oct 14, 2017
    10
    beautiful album, I'm liking this new path that billy is starting, success, as if necessary, this album and as a new beginning, what is alwaysbeautiful album, I'm liking this new path that billy is starting, success, as if necessary, this album and as a new beginning, what is always good, peace for all… Full Review »
  2. SpaceboyScreams
    Oct 22, 2017
    10
    It really is a very pretty album, some songs like Zowie, Aeronaut, Mandarynne and Archer even reaching Adore levels of quality and charm thatIt really is a very pretty album, some songs like Zowie, Aeronaut, Mandarynne and Archer even reaching Adore levels of quality and charm that the production in Billy's albums have been lacking for quite a while in my opinion. If this is where his sound stays for a while I'll be A-Okay with that, I do miss many of the quirks in his vocals that he either grew out of or forgot was one of his huge selling points back in the day - whispers, whines, rasps and snarls that add layers and personality which has been sadly lacking since Machina, now in its place a steady often repetitious tone and prominent vibrato that somehow manages to not get old but certainly won't draw you in and tug at your heartstrings like he once could with ease. For what it is though, I can't fault the album for its vision and for being a perfect atmospheric companion for the Fall season.… Full Review »
  3. Ricko
    Apr 18, 2018
    8
    For those who haven't delved past the Smashing Pumpkins biggest singles, you'd be forgiven for predominantly associating Billy Corgan withFor those who haven't delved past the Smashing Pumpkins biggest singles, you'd be forgiven for predominantly associating Billy Corgan with angst fuelled, hard hitting rock. Long time Pumpkins fans will know that this is very much only half of the story with buckets of gentler numbers in his back catalogue ranking amongst some of his greatest work. To me, Corgan is one of the all time greats and I can see the good in everything he does. To be fair, despite his stellar status, his output has been hit and miss over the past 15 years or so. He's promised so much but has underwhelmed in delivery so expectations were somewhere in the middle for "Ogilala". While the fans still sticking around will take what they get in terms of new material, I'd be amazed if the album garnered Corgan any new fans. It's low key, acoustic guitar and piano but dominated by his distinct and it has to be said, polarizing voice. Personally, I think "Ogilala" is a solid and an appropriate release for Corgan at 50. The focus is on the songwriting which is to be commended but for me the songs, while not the most memorable are still very strong in their own way. "The Spaniards" is the only song you could imagine making the cut of a peak Pumpkins album. Still, "Ogilala" is Corgan having moved on from that time and there is plenty to get into and enjoy here.… Full Review »
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