Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
When the Smashing Pumpkins released their classic second LP Siamese Dream, they encountered the potential problem of the notorious ‘third album’. Of course, the Chicago quartet had already proved themselves but topping that would be an immense challenge. While it could have been easy to play it safe and stick to the same formula, they took the brave step of not only broadening the range of styles and sounds but releasing it as two entire discs of new material.
Siamese Dream, the B-sides/rarities compilation Pisces Isacariot and, to a lesser degree, their debut album Gish all show Billy Corgan’s ability to write tuneful, original and powerful songs that range from delicate ballads to pounding metal, but never before on such a scale as this. The opening title track is a mere piano solo with synthesised string accompaniment and the soaring single Tonight, Tonight both display his ability to pen stunning tunes charged with emotion, but it’s the likes of the two following tracks, Jellybelly and Zero that show their harsher edge and the true musicianship of the whole band. There are more tender songs in evidence, especially in the second half of the second disc, but the familiar Pumpkins work ethic of deep lyrics, mind-boggling numbers of overdubbed guitar lines and the desire to experiment are in abundance more than ever before. The epic Thru the Eyes Of Ruby inludes around fifty different guitar lines in its seven or eight minute duration but ironically it is the gentle, New-Order inspired 1979 that is one of the record’s highlights.
Because of the wide range of styles, it is inevitable that not all of the songs will appeal to all listeners. In my opinion, We Only Come Out at Night and Lily, My One and Only descend too far into whimsical novelty and the chaotic X.Y.U should have been relegated to B-side status. That said, the sheer volume of material means there is probably something for everybody, providing Billy’s distinctive vocals are to their taste.
In Summary
Although this album contains some of the Pumpkins’ best material, it is not as consistent in quality as their previous work and the inclusion of one or two songs is questionable. Nevertheless, the sheer scope, attention to detail and individuality of this record shines through. After a decade, nobody has dared to record an album like this one.
Tracklisting
Disc 1: Dawk to Dusk
- Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
- Tonight, Tonight
- Jellybelly
- Zero
- Here is no Why
- Bullet with Butterfly Wings
- To Forgive
- Fuck You (an Ode to No One)
- Love
- Cupid de Locke
- Galapagos
- Muzzle
- Porcelina of the Vast Oceans
- Take me Down
Disc 2: Twilight to Starlight
- Where Boys Fear to Tread
- Bodies
- Thirty-Three
- In the Arms of Sleep
- 1979
- Tales of a Scorched Earth
- Thru the Eyes of Ruby
- Stumbleine
- X.Y.U.
- We Only Come Out at Night
- Beautiful
- Lily (My One and Only)
- By Starlight
- Farewell and Goodnight
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