I was never an avid music lover and shamelessly bore that label for much of my youth, knowing nothing about SP except for one song: Cherub Rock, since it was available on Rock Band and, needless to say, the hardest song on which to play the drums.

When COVID-19 unleashed itself onto our fragile world and quarantine subsequently ensued, I figured it was time to expand and discover my empirical musical tastes. Now sitting in mandated isolation, I began exploring and took a chance on the Pumpkins. Gish and Siamese Dream earned their much-deserved praise, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the monster that was to immediately follow: MCIS. Furiously blasting metal riffs and simultaneously soothing the senses with ballads and pop harmonies, this beauty of a record has everything for any genre enthusiast. As I witnessed the world going mad and no longer making sense, for 2 hours those worries evaporated and I allowed myself to be immersed in Billy’s epic fantasy. No other album can recreate the awe of coming across such an art gem, instilling both joy and a renewed hope for a better tomorrow.