Zeitgeist
by The Smashing Pumpkins
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 306 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 234 out of 306
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 306
  3. Negative: 34 out of 306

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  1. SethE
    Aug 14, 2007
    10
    This ablum stands alone as some of the best work TSP has done yet todate, I hope there is more to come :)
  2. scottw
    Aug 15, 2007
    7
    Fun, heavey, fast and very smashing. If your a fane of the old stuff, you are bound to injoy this album.
  3. Arin
    Aug 24, 2007
    5
    Honestly, this album would be a terrific freshman release. Feels deflated and humdrum, compared to the songwriting brilliance and dynamic brilliance of Dream and even Melloncollie... Very much feels like SP, but without the 'fist in the air' 'careening off the road' adolescence that made the older stuff so much better. It's just ok.
  4. CallumR.
    Aug 28, 2007
    10
    They are back and its great to have them! Bleeding The Orchid should change anyones mind who has written them off due to the line up!
  5. LukeN
    Aug 9, 2007
    9
    Most of you guys and the critics are being way harsh on this album. I personaly think it's amazing and a major kick in the butt to all other bands our right now trying to make good rock music. Billy has come back and showed them how it's done. Serously, in the song Tarantula, when he breaks out with those crazy guitar sounds before it slows up for a bit, that is real rock and Most of you guys and the critics are being way harsh on this album. I personaly think it's amazing and a major kick in the butt to all other bands our right now trying to make good rock music. Billy has come back and showed them how it's done. Serously, in the song Tarantula, when he breaks out with those crazy guitar sounds before it slows up for a bit, that is real rock and roll. Nobody else does that anymore. Billy Corgan has not let me down yet. I'm not sure how I would have gotten through my highschool years without siamese dream and Melancholy and this is just what I needed at this point in my life. The only thing keeping it from being a 10 is the last song doesn't give me goosbumps like everything else. Can't wait to hear the next record.… Expand
  6. GeraldP.
    Sep 19, 2007
    10
    LOL this album came out in June and hasn't left my car since.. Its a great rock and roll CD. Best album from the pumpkins since adore.
  7. GeoffW.
    Sep 29, 2007
    10
    Very solid and competent return from the Pumpkins.
  8. NickK.
    Sep 8, 2007
    7
    I agree the vocal mixing (and clarity in general) is something of an issue here. Likewise, the lack of diversity which characterized Mellon Collie, Siamese Dream etc. does make this less rewarding listening (maybe I'm getting old, but my ears tired of the same sound/dynamics across the first 11 tracks). Essentially, it sounds to me like a couple of kids who have set up a drum kit and I agree the vocal mixing (and clarity in general) is something of an issue here. Likewise, the lack of diversity which characterized Mellon Collie, Siamese Dream etc. does make this less rewarding listening (maybe I'm getting old, but my ears tired of the same sound/dynamics across the first 11 tracks). Essentially, it sounds to me like a couple of kids who have set up a drum kit and a nasty guitar rig in their garage, and are having a ball rocking out themselves, perhaps at the expense of other listeners. The exception here, and the reason I gave it a 7, was that it's Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlain playing, two of the best rock musicians of the last 20 years, so it still makes impressive listening. It's clearly an album written by a guitarist and a drummer, but very talented ones, so it has its moments.… Expand
  9. f4b
    Feb 3, 2008
    7
    Maybe Corgan is no more trendy for the critics, but this is a nice return with some very high moments. If you doubt Pumpkins are still good, see them live they are awesome!
  10. BrianP.
    Oct 11, 2007
    8
    Zeitgeist has a hypnotic spinning to it that drives me to keep listening for things I might of not caught the first time. It's hard work and hard sound should be considered for bringing Alternative Music back into the late 2000's. It's still the Pumpkins because they are influencing and rule breaking the current lull of cheep money making pop sound today. . .
  11. Noelg.
    Oct 3, 2007
    0
    This is not the album that was promised, where's James and Darcy? Billy Corgan is an honest kind of guy, but are the other two that bad?? Or is Billy just a moody little man? I don't know, sure its loud and rocks, but it sounds like total rubbish, and is mixed something awful, where the heak is the record that we were all promised. Where are the songs? We don't need a long This is not the album that was promised, where's James and Darcy? Billy Corgan is an honest kind of guy, but are the other two that bad?? Or is Billy just a moody little man? I don't know, sure its loud and rocks, but it sounds like total rubbish, and is mixed something awful, where the heak is the record that we were all promised. Where are the songs? We don't need a long 12 tracks of one droning composition (Much like Gavin Rossdales Institute!!) I hope the next ones better, and the rest of the band pull their weight!!… Expand
  12. petere
    Jun 28, 2007
    10
    awesome
  13. RobertB
    Jun 29, 2007
    10
    It burnt the lies off of my soul
  14. JerryR
    Jun 29, 2007
    9
    Fantastic album, some highlights are Thats The Way ( My Love Is ) and Bleeding The Orchid.
  15. KevinH.
    Jul 11, 2007
    2
    I know The Smashing Pumpkins, and this isn't it. I am a huge Pumpkins fan, and even I realize Corgan has his head too far up his ass to notice anything. He produced most of the tracks, so of course his voice is double and triple tracked and at the front of the mix. I can barely hear the drums, or any of the other instruments for that matter. His voice has gotten progressively I know The Smashing Pumpkins, and this isn't it. I am a huge Pumpkins fan, and even I realize Corgan has his head too far up his ass to notice anything. He produced most of the tracks, so of course his voice is double and triple tracked and at the front of the mix. I can barely hear the drums, or any of the other instruments for that matter. His voice has gotten progressively downhill since Machina, bad on ZWAN, and terrible on The Future Embrace. Let's not even talk about his poor vocal performance on this one. Stay away from this album, it's not the Pumpkins you and I know and love.… Expand
  16. MattD.
    Jul 10, 2007
    8
    This is their best CD since Mellon Collie. It's a no take prisoners, aggressive CD. I see it as a perfection of the metallic edge that they showed before. Only problem is, sometimes the fuzz goes on for too long without a change. There are some little quirks to be found, though, like the blues rhythm in "For God And Country."
  17. JonN.
    Jul 10, 2007
    10
    Grrreeeaat!
  18. MikeL.
    Jul 11, 2007
    9
    Incredible effort for their first album in 7 years. I know it's not the same Pumpkins as before (Iha and D'Arcy are missing), but Corgan has always been the heart of the band, and Jimmy is brilliant in his drumming on Zeitgeist. The sound picks up where Machina left off. Its very heavy, but very accessible. Overall, its the best Pumpkins album since Mellon Collie.
  19. GuyS
    Jul 1, 2007
    10
    Corgan returns to reclaim the rock crown. To the relief of the majority of Corgans fans theres only one track which sounds a bit zwan (Thats the way (my love is) - god knows why thats the next single, though even thats better than most of the emo boy band 'rock' thats managed to cross the big pond in the last 7 years. All the pumokins trademarks are here, the loud-quiet Corgan returns to reclaim the rock crown. To the relief of the majority of Corgans fans theres only one track which sounds a bit zwan (Thats the way (my love is) - god knows why thats the next single, though even thats better than most of the emo boy band 'rock' thats managed to cross the big pond in the last 7 years. All the pumokins trademarks are here, the loud-quiet dynamics, distorted stratocasters and great hooks. The main difference I've noticed so far is corgans vocals being altered more and the songs are generally heavier and most of their post MCIS output (niice!) Pumpkins fans will not be disappointed with this record (I was one of the worried) and it should attract a whole new generation of fans. If you enjoy tuneful rock please listen to this lp.… Expand
  20. CarlW.
    Jul 11, 2007
    10
    Fantastic!
  21. Mike
    Jul 10, 2007
    7
    It is what it is. D'Arcy and James were fine, but the band was always Jimmy's jazz and Billy's metal. Lest not we remind the crying fans that Siamese Dream was recorded exactly the same way; Billy playing bass, guitars and vocals and Jimmy on drums. The album is solidly produced with some decent songs. Its the best effort since Mellon Collie. Don't take it for shame, It is what it is. D'Arcy and James were fine, but the band was always Jimmy's jazz and Billy's metal. Lest not we remind the crying fans that Siamese Dream was recorded exactly the same way; Billy playing bass, guitars and vocals and Jimmy on drums. The album is solidly produced with some decent songs. Its the best effort since Mellon Collie. Don't take it for shame, it is undeniable that the Pumpkins have changed, but it seems as though they took highlights from all their albums and put an agressively concise and impactful message out for the public. If you don't agree with the politics, fine- I know I don't. But take a look around, they may have a point.… Expand
  22. GeorgeM.
    Jul 11, 2007
    10
    This is truly one of the greatest bands ever. How can these absolute morons say that it lacks orginality. Its mind blowing I waited seven years for this and i am in no way dissapointed, it was definitely worth the wait. And this is a truely hard rocking album (no fairy included). WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  23. MrT
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    just goes to show how much critics know about whats good...
  24. ryanm.
    Jul 12, 2007
    9
    This is an amazing and impressive album. The only downside is it displays only one aspect of the band's huge scope of versatility and songwriting. There are hits of what made them so versatile in the first place (the 10 seconds near the end of tarantula) but this is obviously the way they wanted it. It actually goes along with the theme of the album being frustrated by modern This is an amazing and impressive album. The only downside is it displays only one aspect of the band's huge scope of versatility and songwriting. There are hits of what made them so versatile in the first place (the 10 seconds near the end of tarantula) but this is obviously the way they wanted it. It actually goes along with the theme of the album being frustrated by modern america/gov. The pumpkins were always billy and jimmy, as much I respect james, billy wrote and played 95 of everything the pumpkins ever recorded. Obviously Jimmy is the other unique and irreplaceable part of the band.… Expand
  25. MorrisD.
    Jul 12, 2007
    7
    Not at par with Smashing Pumpkins material up to Adore but a good album in it's own right. Just not exceptional.
  26. NeilS
    Jul 12, 2007
    6
    I'm hopeful that this is is the working the kinks out of a new lineup and the next record will take the music further. So far the only two tracks that really stands out to me are That's the Way (My Love Is), Starz, and United States. Overall this record is not as varied as I would be used to from a Pumpkins output. Corgan's talented enough that he can incorporate piano, I'm hopeful that this is is the working the kinks out of a new lineup and the next record will take the music further. So far the only two tracks that really stands out to me are That's the Way (My Love Is), Starz, and United States. Overall this record is not as varied as I would be used to from a Pumpkins output. Corgan's talented enough that he can incorporate piano, acoustic, electric, etc. and it seems I'm only hearing one. I'm yet to determine if this continues the trend of more mature themes that Zwan and his solo album pushed. In short I'm enjoying new pumpkins, but I'm waiting for album 2.… Expand
  27. gabrield.
    Jul 12, 2007
    4
    This album sounds like it was recorded in the restroom or something.
  28. justwonderful
    Jul 12, 2007
    10
    At first I despised this album. I was convinced Billy Corgan was a greedy, egotistical jerk who lost his touch. However, I kept listening to Zeitgeist. On the second listen, I thought it was simply mediocre... by the third, I was thinking it was average... by the fourth or fifth, I adored it completely. It's one of those "listen-more-love-it-more". Don't listen once and decide At first I despised this album. I was convinced Billy Corgan was a greedy, egotistical jerk who lost his touch. However, I kept listening to Zeitgeist. On the second listen, I thought it was simply mediocre... by the third, I was thinking it was average... by the fourth or fifth, I adored it completely. It's one of those "listen-more-love-it-more". Don't listen once and decide it's a travesty. Because it's not, it's genius. Personally, I think Zeitgeist is one of their best. It's honestly the only Pumpkins disc I can listen to the whole way through, without skipping tracks, because every single track has its own beauty.… Expand
  29. joeh.
    Jul 13, 2007
    9
    This is a very solid album. Having heard the majority of their work, I would tie this with Siamese Dream as their second-best album. Their are a variety of quality singles (tarantula,doomsday clock,thats the way), and the depth of the material is quite solid as well. Their only shortcoming is that some songs seem lacking in terms of ornamentation, i.e. you hear only the guitar and drums This is a very solid album. Having heard the majority of their work, I would tie this with Siamese Dream as their second-best album. Their are a variety of quality singles (tarantula,doomsday clock,thats the way), and the depth of the material is quite solid as well. Their only shortcoming is that some songs seem lacking in terms of ornamentation, i.e. you hear only the guitar and drums and little support from other instruments to fill the gaps. Other than these small issues, it's a triumphant return!… Expand
  30. markb.
    Jul 13, 2007
    10
    The Album of the year!
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Most Discussed Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
  1. Amazon.com
    80
    Overall, Corgan's captivating effort to mine both the spirit of these turbulent times and the soul of his defining band is a smashing success.
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  2. Blender
    60
    Zeitgeist’s orgy of avalanche rhythms, cascading riffs and sky-licking guitar is as grandiose as ever (the solo on "Tarantula" sounds like a nuke hitting a Guitar Center), but the bombast is softened as Corgan reaches out for shame-sharing community.
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  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    It's best treated as a curio in the Smashing Pumpkins' legacy; and for those who grew up on 'Today', '1979' and 'Ava Adore', you're better left with your memories.
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