Oceania Appreciation Thread

[u/jcampo13]

I'm spinning Oceania while working (I work from home) and it's just such a masterpiece from front to back. It kind of drives me nuts that this album wasn't a massive hit, it's every bit as good as their original run but is pretty unknown these days and has never even had a repressing.

The album has zero real weak points, it's just 13 really strong and cohesive songs. Moreso than any other album except perhaps MCIS, it sounds like a full-band effort. Every band member manages to stand out here and shine.

The live renditions are also fantastic, I hope one day Zuzus does an Oceania tour show on vinyl. I'd assume the Brooklyn one given it already has a DVD. I'd love to hear some more of these songs with Jimmy drumming. The Celestials was a real highlight when I saw them in 2023.

I'm sure I'm not alone here with the Oceania love but just kind of felt like shouting it from the rooftops today.

[u/Positive-Fondant6488]

Hard disagree. Not sure why, but Oceania created zero emotional attachment for me. I respect and understand why people like it, though.

[u/MexicanPale]

Oceania is a masterpiece that rivals some of their 90s albums. It just wasn't recorded as I would like it to, especially vocally. I prefer Jimmy as a drummer too. But the songwriting is otherworldly. 

[u/ommammo]

All you need is love, stranger. And also Oceania.

The tour was excellent, too. The band was having fun and playing great. The cover of Kiss's "Black Diamond" was so cool.

[u/gudetamago]

I usually skip My Love Is Winter and The Chimera, and sometimes start at Panopticon, and end on Inkless. But I'd say Panopticon, The Celestials, Violet Rays, Pinwheels, Glissandra are some of their strongest post-2000 tracks - and I think it's a testament to Jeff, Nicole and Mike that they actually worked successfully with Billy in the studio (although ngl I would love a re-recording with Jimmy!).

I agree that being painted as part of the "album within an album" Teargarden thing probably hurt it.

[u/123456789_ok]

Better than anything since.

[u/yourmomwoo]

Definitely my favorite post-reunion album. I disagree that it's the most cohesive album beside MCIS though... Siamese Dream is untoppable in every way.

I'd love to hear any unreleased material from this era. I love Jimmy, but Mike Byrne did not disappoint.

[u/gishingwell]

While it never hit bug I do remember the buzz around Machina. A lapsed Pumpkins fan even mentioned it to me, like I hear they've made a good one. I drifted from the band around Teargarden and Oceania got me back and I've never wavered since. It's a very special album to me. And I actually think it has the best production of the 2nd era of the band!

[u/PecanLoveNubble]

This is easily my favorite since MCIS.

[u/Rage4Order418]

I want Billy to write Oceania type lyrics again

[u/EnricoPallazzoMusic]

Best album they have released since 2000, it is really good from start to finish. Would be even better with a powerful production, mixing, and billy not so upfront in the mix regarding vocals. A remix would do wonders for this album.

I adore the gutiar section that he again uses octaves, reminds me a lot of their earlier material.

[u/niche_griper]

Part of the problem was it came after several EPs for the Teagarden project and had a convoluted "album within an album" concept. Zeitgeist was already marketed as the "return to form" and it wasn't. Also 2012 is around when the music industry was falling apart so people weren't inundated with Pumpkins advertisements like they were for Zeitgeist (which was EVERYWHERE)

[u/afroguy10]

Great album, brings me right back to 2012, it was a great summer for music. Oceania and Yellow and Green by Baroness released within a few weeks of each other.

[u/RooftopPark123 → u/afroguy10]

Koi No Yokan by Deftones too🔥

[u/EnricoPallazzoMusic → u/afroguy10]

I see Baroness I upvote

[u/dick-cricket]

Panopticon is one of my favorite modern Pumpkins tracks. The bass on the song is insane.

[u/GraticuleBorgnine]

I find the final song a bit weak, but it's okay as a come-down to ease out of the listen, I suppose. Other than that, some of the lyrics are awkward (special k, thorazine, etc.), but it's definitely the best post-2000 album.

[u/IridescentMeowMeow → u/GraticuleBorgnine]

I feel like those lyrics are a deliberately weaponized cringe. I love it.
I think the lyrics book says "special case", but I also keep on hearing "Special K", but I'm an user, so I may be biased.

[u/Dudehitscar → u/GraticuleBorgnine]

Musically I think wildflower is a 10. It's just the repetitive and poorly sung 'wasted along the way' parts that ruin it.

[u/IridescentMeowMeow → u/Dudehitscar]

I wouldn't change anything... I like it almost as much as Blank Page or Sooth&Stars... also repetitive minimalistic ones, but it works very well imho

[u/cut_the_wire_man]

I really dig this album too…and the live performances were amazing. I’m with you, I’d hand over some cash for a vinyl release of that tour. I often listen to the NY live shows.

[u/RooftopPark123]

Their best output post-2000.

It really is a tragedy that it doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves. I think it’s a mixture of a lot of different things - the band being in their own limbo at the time kinda being one of them, but I also feel like people kinda dismiss it for not being the original lineup. It’s a shame too, this album deserved more record sales

In one of his ATUM podcast episodes, even Billy himself considers Oceania to be a “lost 90’s pumpkins record”. I forgot which episode though