Monuments to an Elegy

On March 25, 2014, the band announced that they had signed a record deal with record label BMG. The band's next two albums would be part of the deal: Monuments to an Elegy and Day for Night.{{cite web|title=SMASHING PUMPKINS Sign Artist Services Deal With BMG|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/smashing-pumpkins-sign-artist-services-deal-with-bmg/|work=Blabbermouth|access-date=7 May 2014}}

On April 29, The Smashing Pumpkins' frontman Billy Corgan stated that the band had chosen the top songs for the album, and that they would be spending the following three days on drum tracking, vocal arrangements, lyrics and tweaking of the songs.{{cite web|title=SMASHING PUMPKINS: 'Monuments To An Elegy' Tentative Track Listing Revealed|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/smashing-pumpkins-monuments-to-an-elegy-tentative-track-listing-revealed/|work=Blabbermouth|access-date=7 May 2014}} Corgan described the album's planned sound as being "guitars, guitars, guitars, and more guitars; but more so on the epic side of things than say, grossly metallic."{{cite web|last=Firecloud|first=Johnny|title=Smashing Pumpkins Announce Two New Albums: ‘Monuments To An Elegy’ and ‘Day For Night’|url=http://www.craveonline.com/music/articles/665913-smashing-pumpkins-announce-two-new-albums-monuments-to-an-elegy-and-day-for-night|work=CraveOnline|access-date=7 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032523/http://www.craveonline.com/music/articles/665913-smashing-pumpkins-announce-two-new-albums-monuments-to-an-elegy-and-day-for-night|archive-date=2 May 2014|url-status=dead}}

On May 7, it was announced that Tommy Lee, founding member of Mötley Crüe, would be playing drums on all nine of the album's tracks.{{cite web|title=NEWS ON TOMMY LEE PLAYING ON 'MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY' / SP ALBUM UPDATE|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!NEWS-ON-TOMMY-LEE-PLAYING-ON-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-SP-ALBUM-UPDATE/c7ba/A4447854-8D95-48BF-881E-0C301E6591DA|work=The Panopticon|access-date=7 May 2014}} According to Corgan, Jeff Schroeder was the only person apart from himself officially in the Smashing Pumpkins, and that Mike Byrne and Nicole Fiorentino were no longer working with the group in any capacity.{{cite web|last=Leas|first=Ryan|title=Inside Baseball With Billy Corgan: The Smashing Pumpkins Head On Adore, MACHINA, And The End Of Teargarden|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1698954/inside-baseball-with-billy-corgan-the-smashing-pumpkins-leader-on-adore-machina-and-the-end-of-teargarden-by-kaleidyscope/interviews/|work=Stereogum|access-date=24 August 2014}}{{cite web|last=Bosso|first=Joe|title=Billy Corgan talks Tommy Lee, new Smashing Pumpkins albums for 2015|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/billy-corgan-talks-tommy-lee-new-smashing-pumpkins-albums-for-2015-601510/2|work=Music Radar|access-date=31 August 2014|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220214948/http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/billy-corgan-talks-tommy-lee-new-smashing-pumpkins-albums-for-2015-601510/2|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|first=Nicole|last=Fiorentino|title=For those of you asking about my SP status...|url=https://www.facebook.com/NicoleFiorentinoOfficial/posts/906591866032959|publisher=Facebook|date=26 June 2014|access-date=30 August 2014}}

On July 21, Billy Corgan indicated that recording on Monuments to an Elegy had finished.{{cite web|title=SEE? ‘FRIENDS’ ARE ELECTRIC! / SP ALBUM UPDATE|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!SEE-FRIENDS-ARE-ELECTRIC-SP-ALBUM-UPDATE/c7ba/85063BE5-EF8B-42B1-8CBF-053F8E529A27|work=The Panopticon|access-date=30 August 2014}} Mixing for the album commenced on August 18.{{cite web|title=‘HELLO, IT’S ME’/AN ADORE-AEGEA-RAVINIA-RESISTANCE PRO-AP AWARDS-MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY-DAY FOR NIGHT-AND MACHINA-SIDDHARTHA UPDATE|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new/#!HELLO-ITS-MEAN-ADORE-AEGEA-RAVINIA-RESISTANCE-PRO-AP-AWARDS-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-DAY-FOR-NIGHT-AND-MACHINA-SIDDHARTHA-UPDATE-BY-WPC/c7ba/37AF5DFB-23D7-494B-998E-93A34FC12CFC|work=The Panopticon|access-date=30 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023214/http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new#!HELLO-ITS-MEAN-ADORE-AEGEA-RAVINIA-RESISTANCE-PRO-AP-AWARDS-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-DAY-FOR-NIGHT-AND-MACHINA-SIDDHARTHA-UPDATE-BY-WPC/c7ba/37AF5DFB-23D7-494B-998E-93A34FC12CFC|archive-date=16 October 2014}} The album's final release date was announced as December 9.

To the suggestion that Monuments… is "a very Smashing Pumpkins-like album", Corgan responded, "I think people are hearing an emotional quality that reminds them of something in the past. By extension, they assume I'm trying to get back there. But the truth is the opposite – I stopped trying to avoid it. I went off to have this Hermann Hesse-style spiritual journey through different sounds and subcultures. And then I came home, and allowed myself to make the music I might naturally make."Pattison, Louis: "Q&A", Uncut, January 2015, p67

The album's first single, "Being Beige", was premiered on SoundCloud on October 20.{{cite web|title=ALLO FROM BERLIN/A MONUMENTS TO AN ELEGY PROMOTIONAL UPDATE|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new/#!ALLO-FROM-BERLINA-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-PROMOTIONAL-UPDATE/c7ba/0B7B8DFA-3E8E-4DAF-AF60-3EF2481053F3|work=The Panopticon|access-date=21 October 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023214/http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new#!ALLO-FROM-BERLINA-MONUMENTS-TO-AN-ELEGY-PROMOTIONAL-UPDATE/c7ba/0B7B8DFA-3E8E-4DAF-AF60-3EF2481053F3|archive-date=16 October 2014}}{{cite web|title=The Smashing Pumpkins – 'Being Beige' by MMMusic|url=https://soundcloud.com/mmmusic/the-smashing-pumpkins-being-beige|work=SoundCloud|access-date=21 October 2014}} On November 4, it was revealed that the album's next single would be "One and All", and that it would be released on November 5.{{cite web|title=NEW SINGLE: "ONE AND ALL" TO PREMIER TOMORROW ON 'HUFFINGTON POST!' (STAY TUNED)|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!NEW-SINGLE-ONE-AND-ALL-TO-PREMIER-TOMORROW-ON-HUFFINGTON-POST-STAY-TUNED-/c7ba/31C59724-D9D9-4D33-956E-55659D258ABC|work=The Panopticon|access-date=9 November 2014}}

On November 17, it was announced that, by preordering the album through participating record stores, you can get a free Monuments to an Elegy sampler, which includes the two previously released singles and the as-of-yet not released "Tiberius".{{cite web|title=Monuments to an Elegy Sampler Available Now with Pre-Order at Indie Record Stores|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new/#!Monuments-to-an-Elegy-Sampler-Available-Now-with-PreOrder-at-Indie-Record-Stores-/c7ba/37CBDA22-132A-4933-83F3-C86DF192358A|work=The Panopticon|access-date=18 November 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016023214/http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/board_new#!Monuments-to-an-Elegy-Sampler-Available-Now-with-PreOrder-at-Indie-Record-Stores-/c7ba/37CBDA22-132A-4933-83F3-C86DF192358A|archive-date=16 October 2014}} Later that day, "Tiberius" was premiered on Vice.{{cite web|title=NEW TRACK "TIBERIUS" PREMIER ON VICE.COM|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!NEW-TRACK-TIBERIUS-PREMIER-ON-VICECOM/c7ba/00D9ECC4-5D2F-4DB9-8138-BF23D216D1A4|work=The Panopticon|access-date=18 November 2014}}

On November 20, it was announced that the album's next single would be "Drum + Fife", which was released on November 21.{{cite web|title="DRUM + FIFE" ARTWORK REVEALED! STAY TUNED FOR THE NEW SP TRACK TOMORROW!|url=http://www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com/#!DRUM-FIFE-ARTWORK-REVEALED-STAY-TUNED-FOR-THE-NEW-SP-TRACK-TOMORROW-/c7ba/0859D829-CAA1-42B8-8741-903FAA84AD32|work=The Panopticon|access-date=21 November 2014}}{{cite web|title=Hear The Smashing Pumpkins' Compelling New Track 'Drum + Fife' – NME Exclusive|url=http://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/hear-the-smashing-pumpkins-compelling-new-track-drum-fife-nme-exclusive|website=NME|access-date=22 November 2014}}

On December 2, one week before the physical release, the album was made available for full streaming on iTunes Radio.{{cite web|last1=Carley|first1=Brennan|title=Smashing Pumpkins Are Streaming Their New Album, 'Monuments to an Elegy'|url=http://m.spin.com/articles/smashing-pumpkins-album-stream-monuments-to-an-elegy/|website=Spin|access-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210185930/http://m.spin.com/articles/smashing-pumpkins-album-stream-monuments-to-an-elegy/|archive-date=10 December 2014}}

The band toured in support of the album starting on November 26, with Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk filling in on drums and The Killers' Mark Stoermer filling in on bass,{{cite web|title=Smashing Pumpkins Tap Rage Against the Machine's Brad Wilk For Upcoming Shows|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/smashing-pumpkins-taps-rage-against-the-machines-brad-wilk-for-upcoming-shows/|website=Blabbermouth|access-date=18 November 2014}} although Corgan indicated that Wilk and Stoermer may only play at a select set of early shows in their tour.{{cite web|title=Billy Corgan on The KFOG Morning Show 11 – 21 – 14|url=https://soundcloud.com/kfog/billy-corgan-on-the-kfog-morning-show-11-21-14|website=Soundcloud|access-date=22 November 2014}}

The band promoted the album on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on December 10, 2014. They played lead single "Being Beige".{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/smashing-pumpkins-featuring-rage-against-the-machines-brad-wilk-video-footage-of-live-debut/|title=SMASHING PUMPKINS Featuring RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's BRAD WILK: Video Footage Of Live Debut|date=November 29, 2014|website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|access-date=November 2, 2019}}

{{Music ratings

| ADM = 6.6/10{{cite web |title=Monuments To An Elegy by The Smashing Pumpkins reviews {{!}} Any Decent Music |url=http://www.anydecentmusic.com/review/6895/The-Smashing-Pumpkins-Monuments-To-An-Elegy.aspx |website=AnyDecentMusic? |access-date=20 May 2019}}

| MC = 70/100{{cite web|title=Reviews for Monuments to an Elegy by the Smashing Pumpkins|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/monuments-to-an-elegy/smashing-pumpkins|website=Metacritic|access-date=16 January 2015}}

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last1=Erlewine|first1=Tom|title=Monuments to an Elegy – Smashing Pumpkins|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/monuments-to-an-elegy-mw0002770130|website=Allmusic|access-date=8 December 2014}}

| rev2 = Chicago Tribune

| rev2Score = {{rating|3|4}}{{cite web|last1=Kot|first1=Greg|title=Smashing Pumpkins go pop, sort of, on 'Monuments to an Elegy'|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/ct-music-smashing-pumpkins-monuments-elegy-billy-corgan-20141205-column.html|website=Chicago Tribune|access-date=5 December 2014}}

| rev3 = Classic Rock

| rev3Score = {{rating|8|10}}{{cite magazine|first=Mark|last=Beaumont|title=The Hard Stuff: Albums|magazine=Classic Rock|date=February 2015|p=95}}

| rev4 = Consequence of Sound

| rev4Score = B−{{cite web|last1=Roffman|first1=Michael|title=The Smashing Pumpkins – Monuments to an Elegy|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/11/album-review-the-smashing-pumpkins-monuments-to-an-elegy/|website=Consequence of Sound|access-date=4 December 2014}}

| rev5 = DIY

| rev5Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|last1=Young|first1=Martyn|title=Album Review: Smashing Pumpkins – Monuments to an Elegy|url=http://diymag.com/2014/12/03/smashing-pumpkins-monuments-to-an-elegy-album-review|website=DIY Magazine|access-date=4 December 2014}}

| rev6 = The Guardian

| rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last1=Simpson|first1=Dave|title=Smashing Pumpkins: Monuments to An Elegy review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/dec/04/smashing-pumpkins-monuments-to-an-elegy-review|website=The Guardian|access-date=5 December 2014}}

| rev7 = NME

| rev7Score = 7/10{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Kevin EG|title=Music Review: The Smashing Pumpkins – ‘Monuments to an Elegy’|url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/smashing-pumpkins/15834|website=NME|access-date=8 December 2014}}

| rev8 = Pitchfork

| rev8score = 6.0/10{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Ian|title=The Smashing Pumpkins: Monuments to an Elegy|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20030-monuments-to-an-elegy/|website=Pitchfork|access-date=8 December 2014}}

| rev9 = Rolling Stone

| rev9Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=The Smashing Pumpkins's New Album: Monuments to an Elegy|work=Rolling Stone|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/the-smashing-pumpkins-monuments-to-an-elegy-20141218|date=December 18, 2014|access-date=December 11, 2014}}

| rev10 = Uncut

| rev10Score = 8/10

}}

The album earned generally positive reviews. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, it holds an average score of 70 out of 100, which indicates "generally favorable", based on 31 reviews.

"Nine ass-booting pop metal bullets with SR-71 Blackbird wings," marvelled Classic Rock. "It's not just the most svelte, direct and immediate Pumpkins album ever, it's the most misleadingly titled – these are no funeral dirges, but songs of redemption, recovery and romance, drizzled with synth-pop and hooks that could send Cloverfield to the canvas."

DIY stated the album "...is certainly the easiest Pumpkins record to listen to since their original reformation in 2006. It acts as something of a midpoint in sound between Siamese Dream and 2003's Zwan album, Mary Star of the Sea. This brevity helps to make it such an effortless listen." Rolling Stone's Kory Grow described it as a "deep dive into synth pop", and "a surprise" yet authentic because of "Corgan's characteristically acid vocals".

{{track listing

| all_writing = Billy Corgan

| title1 = Tiberius

| length1 = 3:02

| title2 = Being Beige

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = Anaise!

| length3 = 3:33

| title4 = One and All (We Are)

| length4 = 3:44

| title5 = Run2me

| length5 = 4:08

| title6 = Drum + Fife

| length6 = 3:54

| title7 = Monuments

| length7 = 3:30

| title8 = Dorian

| length8 = 3:45

| title9 = Anti-Hero

| length9 = 3:20

| total_length = 32:35

}}

• Billy Corgan – vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards and synthesizers
• Jeff Schroeder – guitar

• Tommy Lee – drums
• Sstaria (Sheri Shaw) – backing vocals on "Anaise!"

• David Bottrill – mixing
• Nikola Dokic – 2nd Engineer
• Smiley Sean – 2nd Engineer
• Jonathan DeRing – Assistant Engineer
• Howie Weinberg – mastering
• Sam Wiewel – 2nd Engineer
• Howard Willing – production

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Official website|http://smashingpumpkins.com/}}

{{Smashing Pumpkins}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:2014 albums

Category:Albums produced by Billy Corgan

Category:The Smashing Pumpkins albums

Category:Pop rock albums by American artists

Category:Synth-pop albums by American artists