The Billy Corgan Albums Ranked
I’ve always been a fan of The Smashing Pumpkins, a constant force on the rock and “alternative” radio channels on which I was reared. So by extension, once frontman Billy Corgan embarked on a temporarily short-lived solo career, I was there for it. In the wake of his first record, The Smashing Pumpkins quickly reformed, and so that strain of a solo career seemed over. However, in recent years, Corgan has turned back to the idea with releases under the full name of William Patrick Corgan and a muted, folksy sound. Well, I suppose I’ll discuss that in short order, as I address the three “Billy/William Patrick” Corgan albums so far.
#3 — OGILALA (2017)
Favorite track: “Shiloh”
Corgan’s solo career recommenced with OGILALA, a statement that, along with the William Patrick Corgan branding, he was going to be doing something different when he was working on his own. Made primarily with acoustic guitar, piano, and drums, OGILALA is a modest, folksy record that still features Corgan’s distinct, wheedling, and nasal voice. Over these simpler backing instrumentals, some of the…shall we say eccentricity of Corgan’s vocals can sound more grating. However, OGILALA’s emotional and sonic simplicity are somewhat refreshing, even as the album descends into a bit of a same-y feel. “Shiloh” is the most rollicking track on the record, by which I guess I mean energetic, although it isn’t quite that either.
#2 — COTILLIONS (2019)
Favorite track: “Colosseum”
COTILLIONS doubles down on OGILALA’s interpretation of folk music…almost literally. With 17 tracks, I guess COTILLIONS could be considered a double album, although that definition has been somewhat diluted by the domination of digital releases. In any event, it’s an improvement over OGILALA because of its ability to diminish that aforementioned same-y feel. Corgan explores a wider range of Americana on COTILLIONS, but still doesn’t fully escape a general malaise with its muted approach. “Colosseum” stands out, I suppose, as the “catchiest” song on the record, although nothing here would qualify as a single. Both OGILALA and COTILLIONS are best listened to as full albums, an admirable result in, again, this digital era.
#1 — THEFUTUREEMBRACE (2005)
Favorite track: “All Things Change”
Speaking of digital: THEFUTUREEMBRACE, Corgan’s solo debut and solitary effort in that vein for 12 years, is a very, very different record than either OGILALA or COTILLIONS. Lacking the William Patrick Corgan heading, THEFUTUREEMBRACE still isn’t really a Smashing Pumpkins album. It’s an electronic record, synthy and supported by drum machines. It’s been described as shoegaze-y, and I suppose that labeling is appropriate. In any event, the album is a modest sort of solo debut, distancing Corgan from the sound of The Smashing Pumpkins while still demonstrating a talent for weird, whimsical musings over pleasing, strange, and yet polished instrumentals. While OGILALA and COTILLIONS serve nothing, or at least not much, in the way of “singles” or standout tracks, THEFUTUREEMBRACE drops a few enjoyable, yet mild, songs. “All Things Change” is the best of these, with a memorable melody and a singable chorus. It’s part of an interesting experiment by Corgan, still something worth revisiting, even while his recent folk albums reside almost entirely in that “interesting first listen” territory.
