Category: Podcast

Beauty in Chaos- Signs In The Heavens Reality Upside Down

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Back in July of 2024, Michael Ciravolo and the Beauty in Chaos gang released the 8 song masterpiece, Dancing with Angels. Having listened to this record six months later while driving at night, I can confirm that it is still a catchy, friendly, and endearing record. In the usual BIC fashion, Ciravolo follows the studio album with a “re-imagined” version in which he allows his friends to play with his songs. In this case, the remix album is called “Signs in the Heavens Reality Upside Down.” It is a behemoth double CD filled with 29 tracks: 27 remixes and two bonus tracks.

The bonus tracks are renditions of T. Rex’s Children of the Revolution and The Lords of the New Church’s Open Your Eyes. Uncle Al Jorgensen stops by to take lead vocals on Children of the Revolution, while Michael, himself, sings lead on Open Your Eyes.

Children of the Revolution is a classic. It was recorded at the height of T. Rex’s reign and captures the spirit of revolutionary music. Ciravolo wisely captures that feel in the video version with the familiar upside down Stars and Stripes in the background, reminiscent of the famous Rage Against the Machine vs Saturday Night Live feud. Al Jorgenson from Ministry sings those anthemic lyrics. And when I say sing, I mean sing. Jorgenson puts more lyrical harmony here than in much of his own music. It’s a nice version of a classic.

The second bonus track is Open Your Eyes by The Lords of the New Church. I was not aware of this song. As I listened, I couldn’t help but think it was a very modern song. When I asked Mr. Ciravolo for the lyrics, he sent me a link to a song from 1982. Seriously? Could the world have been in the same dire straights then as it is today. The lyrics would seem to indicate that nothing has changed.

Video games train the kids for war
Army chic in high-fashion stores
Law and order’s done their job
Prisons filled while the rich still rob
Assassination politics
Violence rules within’ our nation’s midst
Well ignorance is their power tool
You’ll only know what they want you to know
The television cannot lie
Controlling media with smokescreen eyes
Nuclear politicians picture show
The acting’s lousy but the blind don’t know
Open your eyes
See the lies right in front of ya
Open your eyes
They scare us all with threats of war
So we forget just how bad things are
You taste the fear when you’re all alone
They gonna git’cha when you’re on your own
The silence of conspiracy
Slaughtered on the altar of apathy
You gotta wake up from your sleep
‘Cause meek inherits earth six feet deep
Open your eyes see the lies right in front of ya
Open your eyes

Every time I log onto X (Twitter), this is the vibe. These lyrics truly speak to the 2025 crowd. It’s sad that we have not made progress in the last 40 years. Ciravolo’s gravely, intense voice does the job here presenting these dire lyrics with gravitas. The video is a throwback- minimalistic, putting the emphasis on the lyrics and performance. You can check it out here.

There are eight songs on Dancing with Angels. For this remix record, various artists have remixed each song anywhere from 3-5 times. The fact that each song is relatable and remixable in a very natural way speaks volumes to the wonderful structure of each song. Simply put- these songs are excellent and easily re-imagined by very capable artists. Every song is unique and well thought out, but there are a few highlights of course.

Diving for Pearls is my favorite song on the record. It hits all the right nostalgia notes, and it’s simply a really good tune. Love Letter Mix by Kevin Kipnis might actually better the original. Kipnis adds a whimsical element to the intro guitar riff and cleverly isolates Cynthia’s vocals on the second verse. In the original, Cynthia and Wayne sing as a duet; here Cynthia takes front and center and adds deeper meaning to the song. It’s truly wonderful.

Kiss Me Goodbye, the French Exit version completely changes the feel, but not the mood of the song. The main elements are there, but the feel is completely different. The listener is whisked away to a French bistro. Gorgeous saxophone tones are warm and charming. Michael Rozon’s live drums add a nice touch and cannot go without being mentioned. This is definitely the most changed and unique song on the album.

Made of Rain, Almost Acoustic Version is the star of the show. This beauty is stripped down and let’s Ashton Nyte’s vocals lead the dance. He is accompanied by Beauty in Chaos alum Whitney Tai adding angelic vocals alongside Ashton’s baritone. The pedal steel and viola are wonderful choices to create mood and a lilt to the instrumentation. This one was all hands on deck and it shows. Now, we need a duet album with Ashton and Whitney. Let’s make that happen Mr. Ciravolo.

Hollow was the surprise gem on the record for me. As I mentioned in the original review, this song is haunting and beautiful. The song is filled with imagery, sung beautifully by Cynthia Isabella. It breathes. It exists in the ether. For this one to truly work, the remix must also create a sound scape. It must allow the song to breathe; otherwise, it changes the very nature of the song. Pheonix Supernova has the perfect recipe here in his “full of emptiness” re-imagining. It’s a slow build, lots of nuance and interesting “noise.” As the song progresses, PS adds some grit, some heavy, but in a way that adds a new layer to the song rather than retracting or distracting. This is how you work within the confines of the original, but add some new depth.

There are zero clunkers on this mammoth cd venture. Every song is well thought out and adds something to the Beauty in Chaos mythos. It’s truly a community of talented musicians who love to share all the toys in the sandbox. We can all thank Mr. Ciravolo for creating wonderful albums and then letting others play with his creations. It is an honor to witness such fun and vibrant creations.

Signs in the Heavens Reality Upside Down CD Credits:

1.     “PRESENT TENSE” (Current Stress Mix)

Double CD available at Beauty In Chaos website.

featuring William and Sarah Rose Faith

created by CARLTON BOST

2.     “THE DEVIL YOU KNOW” (Collide Mix)

featuring Kat Leon

created by STATIK

3.     “DIVING FOR PEARLS (Love Letter Mix)

featuring Wayne and Cinthya Hussey

created by KEVIN KIPNIS

4.     “ECHOES AND THE ANGELS” (MGT Mix)

featuring Leo Luganskiy

created by MARK GEMINI THWAITE

5.     “KISS ME GOODBYE” (Asteron Mix)

featuring Julian Shah-Tayler

created by TOMMY HATZ

Tommy Hatz – guitars, keys, additional bass and vocals

Static – bass

Drums – Christopher J. Olivas  

6.     “HOLLOW” (Lost Gems Version)

featuring Cynthya Isabella

created by CYNTHIA ISABELLA and BEAUTY IN CHAOS

Cynthya Isabella – voices and acoustic guitars

Michael Ciravolo – electric guitars and percussion

Tish Ciravolo – acoustic bass

Michael Rozon – synth, percussion

7.     “HOLY GROUND” (Kitty Mix)

featuring Patrik Mata

created by KITTY

8.     “MADE OF RAIN” (Frontal Boundary Mix)

featuring Ashton Nyte

created by BRENDIN ROSS and KRZ GREENHAW

9.     “PRESENT TENSE” (Future Mix)

featuring William and Sarah Rose Faith

created by ROMAN MARISAK

10.  “THE DEVIL YOU KNOW” (JST Mix)

featuring Kat Leon

created by JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER

11.  “ECHOES AND THE ANGELS” (Combichrist Club Mix)

featuring Leo Luganskiy

created by ANDY LaPLEGUA

12.  “KISS ME GOODBYE” (French Exit Version)

featuring Julian Shah-Tayler

created by JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER

Julian Shah-Tayler – lead voices

Brent Meyer – acoustic guitars and backing voices

Carmine Rojas – fretless bass

Katja Reickerman – saxophone

Michael Rozon – live drums and percussion

13.  “HOLLOW” (Bristol Mix)

featuring Cynthya Isabella

created by BRENT MEYER

14.  “HOLY GROUND” (Stygian Mix))

featuring Patrik Mata

created by ALEX CRESCIONI

15.  “MADE OF RAIN” (Almost Acoustic Version)

featuring Ashton Nyte and Whitney Tai

 created by ASHTON NYTE and BEAUTY IN CHAOS

Ashton Nyte – voices, acoustic guitars, piano

Whitney Tai – voices

Michael Ciravolo – electric guitars and percussion

Tish Ciravolo – acoustic bass

Michael Rozon – pedal steel, percussion

Heather Lockie – viola

——-DISC 2——-

1.  “PRESENT TENSE” (The Bellwether Syndicate Mix)

featuring William and Sarah Rose Faith

created by WILLIAM FAITH

2. “THE DEVIL YOU KNOW”(The Devil You Thought You Knew Mix)

featuring Kat Leon

created by NICK PEREZ

3.     “DIVING FOR PEARLS (Bates Motel Mix)

featuring Wayne and Cinthya Hussey

created by TYLER BATES

4.     “ECHOES AND THE ANGELS” (JST Mix)

featuring Leo Luganskiy

created by JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER

5.     “KISS ME GOODBYE” (JST Mix)

featuring Julian Shah-Tayler

created by JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER

6.     “HOLLOW” (Crimson Cupid Version)

featuring Cynthya Isabella

created by BEAUTY IN CHAOS

Cynthia Isabella – voices

Michael Ciravolo – guitars and textures

Michael Rozon – bass, synth, live drums

7.     “HOLY GROUND” (Exploding Star Mix)

featuring Patrik Mata

created by KEVIN KIPNIS

8.     “MADE OF RAIN” (Kitty Mix)

featuring Ashton Nyte

 created by KITTY

9.     “DIVING FOR PEARLS” (JST Mix)

featuring Wayne and Cinthia Hussey

created by JULIAN SHAH-TAYLER

10.  “HOLLOW” (Full Of Emptiness Mix)

featuring Cynthia Isabella

created by THE PHOENIX SUPERNOVA

11.  “HOLY GROUND” (Fluid Alchemist Mix)

featuring Patrik Mata

created by Fluid Alchemist

Episode 164- 1994 and Theme Songs

Metalhead Mundy and Foggy look at album and singles releases for January 1994 and we pick theme songs for our favorite characters from Naruto and Masters of the Universe.

Episode 162- I Ya Toyah Enters The Wandering Studio

Metalhead Mundy and Foggy chat with I Ya Toyah about her new single and video, discography and her philanthropy with mental health. Go to iyatoyah.com and subscribe. Send an email to iyatoyah@gmail.com and request a Crisis Line 988 bracelet.

Episode 157- Corey Taylor CMF2

Metalhead Mundy and Foggy review the latest from Corey Taylor- CMF2, his second solo record. Foggy reminisces about the Smashing Pumpkins.

Smashing Pumpkins – The World is a Vampire Tour Review

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On Saturday, September 9th, I attended my 7th Smashing Pumpkins concert at Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana. It was the last stop on the band’s The World is a Vampire Tour. The Pumpkins played 21 songs- a mix of fan favorites, some new songs from Atum and a few covers. From my first show in 1991 to my most recent, the three hour behemoth Shiny and Oh So Bright tour, I have never seen the band play with such joy. Billy Corgan has always been an artist who fought for respectability, who pushed the envelope of what a band can do, and followed his vision in the face of scrutiny. With that mission comes a serious edge, I suppose, but that veil was lifted Saturday. There was a joy that permeated the stage and came through in the music and performance.

Highlights:

The coolest part of the night happened during Tonight Tonight. Following some presong banter between James Iha and Billy, in which they teased about a song about condiments, insinuating Mayonaise, the two embarked on a wonderful acoustic rendition of Tonight Tonight. During the song, there was a lot of audience participation and love for the performance. At one point, Billy stepped back and tapped his heart, pausing before returning to the song. He looked genuinely thankful and in awe of the love they were receiving. Sometimes during shows, the audience gets some canned bits that all audiences receive. This one seemed genuine and of the moment. Very cool!

Next, any tour has a focus on the new music. From Atum we got three new entries: Spellbinding, Empires and Beguiled. All three are amazing songs and were performed brilliantly. I loved Empires and Beguiled from the moment they came out; they are bangers. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Spellbinding. It has a synth edge to it and, on the album, has a build up that allows for the triumph of the story and song to come through. (see the Atum story for its placement and message) I loved the live version; they managed to mix it well and the super catchy melody fits neatly with the Mellon Collie era of Pumpkins that many love. Spellbinding was definitely a highlight for me.

The classics- as I said in my Pumpkins album breakdown, Siamese Dream is my favorite record of all time. They played four songs from this album, including my favorite and very underrated Hummer. This song is everything that is right with music. A super cool groove building to some sweet, heavy layered guitars. Soft moments. Loud moments. Beautiful lyrics. Perfection. They also played Today, Disarm and Cherub Rock. Today and Disarm got a lot of audience participation. Great high points during the concert.

Ava Adore scored some points for me. Typically I don’t love that song or the album. However, on this night, Billy put down the guitar and went all vocal and performance. He looked like he relished the moment. The song was played well and played hard. Billy added theatrics to the lyrics and made it a memorable performance.

Cool moment- the band played Jelly Belly for the first time on The World is a Vampire Tour. It emerged seamlessly from a cover of Hubble Hubble by Manfred Mann. They played Hubble Hubble differently than the original- it was a scorcher. After screaming guitars and solos, the band shifted into the drum heavy Jelly Belly. It was amazing. Jimmy Chamberlain put on a performance of speed and power. I was so happy to see this live.

Merch– I never buy merchandise at shows. They are overpriced normally and I already have enough. Well, now I can say that I “rarely” buy merch. I couldn’t resist the light blue zip up “The World is a Vampire” hoodie. It was a lot, but it was totally worth it. I may just be a little cooler now.

Drawbacks:

My only drawback from the show was the opening. While I do enjoy The Everlasting Gaze and Doomsday Clock, the mix was just off. It was fuzz heavy and nearly drowned out Billy’s voice. If I was there and didn’t know these songs, I would have had no clue. It would simply have been a wall of noise. Thankfully, that quickly changed with a Talking Head’s cover followed by an amazing performance of Today. And, then a non-synth version of Perfect…..oh, and then Disarm…. oh man, did it good after the opening:)

Will I see them again? Of course, next time they come around. Billy said that they recorded new music at the end of last year. Hopefully we will hear that soon and they will embark on another tour next summer!

The Setlist:

The Everlasting Gaze

Doomsday Clock

Once in a Lifetime

Today

Perfect

Disarm

The Celestials

Purple Blood

Ava Adore

Tonight Tonight

Bullet with Butterfly Wings

This Time

Spellbinding

Hubble Bubble (Toil and Trouble)

Jellybelly

Empires

Hummer

Beguiled

1979

Cherub Rock

Zero

Check back to Wanderings and Woolgathering for more album, music reviews.

Smashing Pumpkins- Ranking the Albums

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On Saturday night I will be seeing the Smashing Pumpkins in concert for the 7th time, my first going back to 1991 in while in college. To prepare I have been ripping through the albums. In my mind, I was secretly ranking them. Some I knew exactly where they would rank, but there were some surprises for me. Typically, Pumpkins fans of my age will praise the first three, throw a few accolades at Adore and then dismiss the rest and make a pejorative statement about Billy. That’s not me. If you have listened to the Wanderings podcast, we have praised artists through the years for not mimicking what they did in early years- those artists who have a vision and push the boundaries of creativity. In my mind, Billy Corgan is the epitome of digging in and creating his vision, critics be damned.

Without further ado- my ranking of every Smashing Pumpkins album. (Pisces Iscariot is included because why not)

1- Siamese Dream

Greatest Pumpkin album- Siamese Dream: Not only is this my favorite Pumpkins record, but it’s probably my favorite album of all time. I know I have listened to it more than any album ever! I was blown away at Gish, but this follow up takes what was promising and perfects it. Tracks like Mayonaise, Hummer, Cherub Rock, Sapceboy, and Rocket stand out for me, but the entire album is a roller coaster ride of layered guitars, virtuoso drumming and beautiful lyrics that are both poetic and meaningful with beautiful phrasology. No matter how many times I listen to this record, it always sounds fresh. This is a truly a unique and inspiring album. Did I mention Soma or Geek USA? Oh yeah, they are great too!

2. Gish

Gish is the first album released by the Pumpkins and my entry point to the band. I was blown away initially by the unique sound and vocals. At this time, grunge and the “Seattle sound” had taken hold and was ubiquitous on the airwaves. This had the same alternative inspiration but was singular in its delivery. No other band sounded remotely like the Pumpkins. I’m still blown away to this day by Siva, I Am One, Rhinoceros and Bury Me. In a world of music filled with copy cat alternative bands, the Pumpkins created their own path and still follow it today. This is raw Pumpkin sound in its nascent form.

3. Picses Iscariot

Yeah, it’s technically not a studio album, I get it. I know this is a weird choice, especially to place it in front of Mellon Collie. Plus, it is basically a compilation of throw aways and B-sides. However, this is a hodge podge of greatness. Songs like Frail and Bedazzled or Hello Kitty Kat belong on any album and harken back to Gish. (sweet spot with me). Landslide and Girl Named Sandoz prove the Pumpkins can take a classic and improve upon it. Plume, Whir, La Dolly Vita and Obscured show the cool grooviness that underlies a lot of more of their well known songs. This cobbled together album is better than most of what is out there. Top three for me and likely top five for most Pumpkin fans.

4. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness could easily be the greatest Pumpkins album of all time. It has some of the greatest Pumpkin songs, and it is by far the most ambitious. If I were to rate the albums on ambition, Mellon Collie and Atum would be 1 and 2. However, I can’t do that. While I love most everything about this record, there are some missteps for me that hold it back as a cohesive piece. The band was at the height of its popularity. They played Tonight Tonight at the Grammy’s. Everyone was singing “rat in a cage” regardless if you liked heavy music or not. The first six songs on the record are arguably the best start of any record ever. Plus, one of my favorite Pumpkin songs, 33, appears here. However, there is too much here. Too many ideas that don’t quite fit. If the band had chosen their best 12-15 songs, it could have been the best album of all time. 28 songs was too much and slightly bloated. Not my top three, but absolutely a classic!

5. Oceania

I feel like Oceania goes unnoticed, or underappreciated, by many Pumpkin fans. It was five years after the divisive Zeitgeist and 12 years after the positively reviewed Machina. There was a clear tonal change, but the integrity and vibe is there. While more electronica is included, this one has plenty of Billy melody and layered guitars, albeit slightly more sparse. This album has a sweet groove from beginning to end. Songs like Quasar, Panopticon, The Celestials, My Love is Winter and The Chimera are standouts here. And folks, listen to Inkless– total old school Pumpkins vibe. This is one that I can listen to beginning to end with no skips every time. Very underrated. Give it a listen!

6. Atum

Atum is Smashing Pumpkins most recent album. Initially Atum was released one song at a time on Billy’s podcast- absolutely the coolest idea. I love a concept record. Rush is my favorite band, aside from the Pumpkins, so concept rules! This one has a cosmic story that started with Mellon Collie: Zero to Glass to Shiny, and ends here with Atum. Musically, this one is all over the place in a good way. Like Mellon Collie, it’s a mixed bag. When it shines, though, it really shines. 33 songs- 2/3 or more are bangers. I would say that the first 8 songs are amazing and completely set the tone for the musical experience. For those who love hard songs, Empires, Moss, Beguiled, and Harmageddon fit the bill. Others like Hooligan, Neophyte, Sojourner, Cenotaph or Spellbinding provide a smooth Pumpkin groove that we have become accustomed to. For 33 songs, this is entirely listenable and at times completely shines! The breadth and ambition are commendable.

7. Zeitgeist

This album for me is tough. I really like it. It’s hard. It’s rhythmic and it has some great grooves and melody. Essentially, it’s Billy and Jimmy, how we like it. However, it feels like they are trying too hard to recreate the past. Too many layers. Great album. I still listen frequently. Doomsday Clock, Bleeding the Orchid and Tarantula withstand the test of time.

8. Machina/The Machines of God

Machina is unfulfilled expectations. It was a return to form, a sounding bell for the end of D’Arcy, and a continuation of a story that wouldn’t be fullfilled for 23 years with Atum. This album has some amazing music (thank you for coming back Jimmy) and some great songs, but is not complete in form – as a supposed concept record it falls short. Songs like Everlasting Gaze, Stand Inside Your Love, I of the Mourning, This Time and Glass and the Ghost Children are the best offerings here. I enjoy this record, but it is not one of the greats. Atum, however, has made it more interesting recently.

9. Shiny and Oh So Bright

Shiny was a bit of a surprise for me. I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. It’s a tight record of only 8 songs with four very strong songs: Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts), Solara, Marchin’ On and Seek and You Shall Destroy. Those are wrapped by softer, melodic songs that tie this one together nicely. Definitely an underrated outing.

10. Adore

Adore is the fourth studio album from the Pumpkins. It is a departure from their previous outings, choosing to use far more electronics. The absence of Jimmy is clearly evident as well. Adore falls pretty low on my list, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some shining moments, because it does. Ava Adore and Perfect are both excellent songs. The rest fall flat for me. They are ambitious and I applaud the effort to expand and explore, but it seems they weren’t quite ready for that much change. I think the lack of Jimmy working with Billy is apparent. Nice effort, but lacks the spark and consistency of their better albums.

11. Monuments to an Elegy

Monuments to an Elegy is an interesting record. It’s not bad, but it’s also not great. Four songs really stand out here: Tiberius, Being Beige, One and All (We Are), and Drum + Fife. In fact, Drum + Fife is one of my favorite 2000s songs from the band. The problem with the album is that the other songs are good, but not great. I enjoy it in the background, but don’t prefer it loud and in my face.

12. Cyr

Cyr is simply not an album I like. There really isn’t anything bad, but it’s not really good either. It just simply “is.” That’s a problem when you create art. The response cannot be “meh.” I simply wasn’t moved by this one. I do enjoy The Colour of Love, Wyttch and Purple Blood, but that’s where it ends. It’s a long album with little for me to hang on to.

So there you have it- all Smashing Pumpkin records rated from best to worst. Hopefully, we will be listening to Machina 2 in it’s glorious remaster soon. Feel free to comment and tell me what I got wrong. I’ll post thoughts after the concert on Saturday. Check that out too. You can find it here.

Whitney Tai- Lexington

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Written and performed by Whitney Tai.

Produced by Whitney Tai and Tim Janssens

Whitney Tai is an artist who transcends genre. Tai has grown through her own records: Metamorphosis and Apogee, while adding lyrics and vocals to Beauty in Chaos and Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky. Whitney Tai has a beautiful voice and more impressive presence. Both Michael Ciravolo and Chuck Wright saw this and added her to their own projects.

Tai is certainly one who can add to the works of others, but she is even more impressive on her own. Of course it would be easy to fall back on the success and following of others, but Tai is an artist- an artist with a voice. Her most recent offering is a prime example of this.

At the end of June, Whitney released a single called Lexington. We reviewed it here. Since that time, Ms. Tai has released a video for the song. Based on the lyrics from the song, I was a bit baffled. The song details her time in NYC, the big city. She focuses on places: the Cooper Hewitt, the MET, 70th and Lexington. The video, however, shows Tai walking through a park. Not Central Park. A simple park.

After a few views, it’s clear. While those moments in the big city impact a person, so do the quiet moments. While Tai no longer lives in NYC, the impact of those days live with her. Throughout Lexington, Tai reminisces about her time in NY. Each moment etched in her mind. Each moment a part of who she is now. I would imagine that she had no clue that those moments were important while she lived them, yet they have impacted the person she is now.

With introspection like that, the clear conclusion is that the small moments matter. And THAT is where this video shines in its juxtaposition. In the video, Whitney walks around with an old school microphone singing about Lexington. The background is sparse, as is the hustle and bustle of life here. While she may sing about NYC and the craziness that comes with that, this video is more about the quiet moments- those moments with family, friends and pets. In totality, all those moments that make up a person.

Lexington is a place, but it’s also a state of mind. Tai brilliantly uses her art, her skill, her vision and her talent to make a point about life. We are a sum of our parts- embrace and celebrate them. If you don’t believe me, head over to Lexington!

Pick up some cool merch here.

Episode 142- Depeche Mode

Metalhead Mundy, T-Bags and Foggy review Memento Mori from Depeche Mode. Find out why you should listen.

Episode 141- Miley Cyrus

Metalhead Mundy and Foggy step out of their comfort zones and review the latest from Miley Cyrus.

Episode 140- Periphery, Winery Dogs And NF

Metalhead Mundy and Foggy review the latest from Periphery- V: Djent is not a Genre. Mundy shares his concert with the Winery Dogs and the boys discuss the latest from NF.