indiecater

In the end the Smashing Pumpkins never quite eclipsed their contemporaries from Seattle who decided it was better to burn out than fade away. While Nirvana self-destructed, the Smashing Pumpkins decided to ride rough shot over tragedy and farce. Their body of work is a polygraph of highs and lows but when the dust settles there's no escaping the fact that in Siamese Dream they have a bona fide classic. 'Siamese Dream' released in early 1993 is a thing of beauty. Behind the immense wallowing guitar breaks and vocal outpourings lies a deepintelligence immaculately tuned into the mechanics of how good music should sound. It doesn't matter if your beer is classical, opera, western, dance or indie those who appreciate good music will know how important 'Siamese Dream' is. Butch Vig (a garbage man but nevermind) must be credited with helping Corgan on production; the sound quality is crisp as if the band were playing in your head.

Although 'Cherub Rock' was the lead promo from this album it hardly had the focused beauty of other tracks like 'Today' or 'Disarm'. Listening to it took effort; there are many parts at work with little or no obvious sweet core. That said, the breathtaking power that bubbles like adrenaline through your body is hard to quell once the contours of the tune become familiar. The guitar strokes are like gilded pillars pumped full of that special ingredient that makes concrete shimmer like an autumnal lake. Billy Corgan directs his own private orchestra through electrified angst put to words. The dramatic unevenness is further pushed during a rousing 'Quiet'. At several points the vocalist melts into the guitar ambles with such successthat he almost becomes an extra chord. Speaking of alien strings, 'Hummer' employs a badly tuned New Delhi radio station to announce the freshest of fender solo's. The song has a lazy disposition rather like a talented footballer who decides that today is his day to take it easy. Funnily enough the melody is laid on thick, enough to have a nest of bees reach for your earphones. When Darcy takes the reins the swagger becomes intoxicating, a 2-part masterpiece preparing to take your world by storm. 'Today' is the sound of a genre that shook the music industry to its foundations. While a mid twenties menopause was the basis for the momentum of this album 'Today' was its antithesis. Such is its majesty; the well-greased momentum where everything just fits and those heaving guitars surely feel like they've reached a career best. The rainbow spectrum of a Willy Wonka style video helped enshrine the beauty of it all.

'Siamese Dream' sits easily under the grunge flag so it is refreshing tohave tracks like 'Space Boy' to let you take a breather. There are even some orchestral parts in the mix that boost the timid strumming and Corgan's straight from the heart delivery. 'Disarm' is equally off the beaten track, an emotional foray with huge bell tolls and a string section pouring genuine grief over the heartfelt lyrics. If you ever doubt the power of music then let 'Disarm's 3 minutes bring you back to reality. Elsewhere the dam just about holds the river of rushing guitars. 'Soma' is about as quiet as things get, but as you might expect the celestial loneliness it evokes is finally shattered as the cavalcade of noise restores the decibel level. With such ubiquitous guitar carnage you'd have thought that overload was inevitable. It is remarkable then that tunes like 'Geek U.S.A.' with sonic distractions to rival any international airstrip can sound so harmonious. The noise, you see, is truly innovative and remarkably considered. There are more hooks pervading in these grooves than you'd find at the coat lovers association seminar in Antarctica.

Billy Corgan's voice is a misnomer. It often sounds like he records his lyrics while peering into a wide glass. It has a brittle edge but you know those tonsils are at the ready to deliver a stirring performance. Witness 'Rocket' where his whisper becomes a scream in that unique style of his while the guitars and Jimmy Chamberlain's drumming beautifully paint the landscape. He can also control his natural persuasion to lift the lid on his frustration. With a song as ridiculously titled as 'Mayonaise' you wouldn't expect to pick up a near fatal case of the goosebumps but as Corgan seers effortlessly (something magical begins to happen. Towards the end the restraint gets the better of the band and suddenly millions of tonnes of molten lava in the form of bleeding chords, thundering percussion and some scathing bellowing takes what is left of your rapidly decaying nerves. If that wasn't enough the final twist has 'Sweet Sweet' and 'Luna' repairing all the damage. Fragile lullaby's that expose so much about the scope of this album. From despair to where? Well the Smashing Pumpkins do care that the journey is an adventure but what matters most is that everyone is tucked up in bed dreaming at the end. The fact that the band have bitten their nails to the bone hardly matters. Criticism of perfection is petty so I won't go there. 'Siamese Dream' is a seamless vision borne out of some of the most agonised recording sessions ever. While his band mates were happy to call time Billy Corgan toiled until audio bliss poured from the master tape. And his pain surely was our gain as one of the nineties seminal albums matures with age like a fine malt. If you haven't stepped over the edge yet strap yourself in and enjoy the ride. KD

Rating: 9/10

More Info: Official & Myspace
Buy Songs: The Smashing Pumpkins

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