Smashing Pumpkins - Gish
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Free Music Notes for Gish
Free Music Review: Wonderful start for what would be a legendary band
Hit: 5 Stars
And I don't view that as any kind of a hyperbole. No matter how you put it, the Pumpkins stand out on their own. Once I was listening to some of the songs on the first Pumpkins show, and it seems like by the time that they released this that they were just releasing amazing stuff. As for the thing about them being the best Chicago band since Ministry, I almost completely agree. And while I love that band, I happen to think that these guys put Al Jourgensen to shame. That says a lot, doesn't it? Well, for one thing, that's just my opinion.
A good thing about noting with this album is that most people seem to think that the band had two great recordings, "Siamese Dream" and "MCIS". Those are exceptional records that are actually a little bit better, but to me, not by much. If you like the hard-rock side of the Pumpkins than these three are a very good first buy ("Adore" if you like the more full-blown goth). This album has the psychedelia, metal, goth, and lots of other elements. After releasing singles from Limited Potential and Sub Pop, where do they go next? Instead of going for major label immediately, they went on Caroline. Also, if you found the lyrics on later works to be too self-obsessed (I really didn't), this is better for you because there aren't too many major themes on "Gish". It's a lot more of a humble record than it seems.
It is also clear that you hear the sound of an actual band on this album that you don't hear quite as much on future SP albums. "I Am One" even has a bass solo from D'arcy! That song shows where the band was at this point and it was really a good sign of how they could jam out. If anyone wants to prove someone that all of the band members were really talented musically, this would be the track to do that with. The punch continues with "Siva", which has amazing guitar work of Billy and James. I like it when the song gets more clean and "dreamy" as well. It's like a taste of more greatness that was to come.
Bass still shines in some of these songs that come later, too. A great example of this is "Rhinoceros", a good mix of new wave and hard rock that was kind of what the Pumpkins were. Once again, the guitar solo is amazing. Billy and James are such overlooked guitarists; nothing they do ever sucks. The vocals have some of my favorite melodies on Pumpkins tracks, as well. I like the way it fades out in the last thirty or so seconds, also.
Other highlights appear. The ones that don't stand out as much are actually great but in the company that they are in get overshadowed, unfortunately. "Crush" is notable for its interesting playing and one interesting thing of note is that the percussive sound in the guitar solo is actually Billy's jewelry. I am glad that "Suffer" got re-tooled for the trip-hop world, and this is one of two moments where the gothic side of the Pumpkins really shines. You should also check out the great music ability that is shown on "Window Paine".
In competition with the excellence of the first three tracks is probably "Daydream", where D'arcy shines on vocals, and there is some string in it. It's kind of like Cocteau Twins with less shoegaze, but don't worry because that sound is prevalent in most early Pumpkins work. It is backed by an alright hidden track, a performance of "I'm Going Crazy". A softer track and the only one on here where Billy spits out the f-bomb, it is nice to hear although it is not as great as the ten that are heard on here.
And while it could be argued that this could be classified as grunge, the Pumpkins have always had more of a variety in their music than their contemporaries. It is not as boundary-pushing as "MCIS", as layered as "Siamese" or lush like "Adore" but it still sounds out. And "Machina" unfortunately doesn't have the competition that the other four records do (it's not bad, but it's spotty). While not my favorite debut record of all time (that nod goes to "Visual Audio Sensory Theater" by Vast), I still think this is something of exceptional quality. Very few records today even come close to matching this album.
Free Music Review: Gish is pure genius. 100% spiritual ascension.
Hit: 5 Stars
I notice from these reviews that there are very few people who can interpret and therefore appreciate this album to it's very depth, and the reason is because we are Westerners instead of Easterners. Were the lyrics translated and heard in India or other places in Asia, there would be very little mystery. This album is about Spiritual Enlightenment (Salvation, Nirvana, Liberation) which is the topic of topics; the goal of goals. Corgan directly says that this is a "very spiritual album" and even mentions that it's about spiritual ascension, the songs Siva (Shiva) and Suffer being giveaways. Recently in an interview, he mentioned that in his past albums he was "intellectualizing the divine." This album comes from Corgans own suffering and his efforts to understand and walk the road to the divine. This is easily the most profound SP album due to it's complexity, depth and relevance, making it one of the most significant albums of all time.
I believe Corgan was reading I Am That by Nisargadatta during the time. He is an Indian liberated man, a concept which few people in the West are familiar with. In the song Siva, Corgan writes: "All this pain smothers me, like a bomb that you can't see. Tell me, tell me what you're after. I just want to get there faster." In the book, Nisargadatta is talking to a visitor who tells him, "Basically, man is afraid. He is afraid of himself most. I feel I am like a man who is carrying a bomb that is going to explode. He cannot defuse it, he cannot throw it away. He is terribly frightened and is searching frantically for a solution, which he cannot find. To me liberation is getting rid of this bomb. I do not know much about the bomb. I only know that it comes from early childhood. I feel like the frightened child protesting passionately against not being loved. The child is craving for love and because he does not get it, he is afraid and angry. Sometimes I feel like killing somebody or myself. This desire is so strong that I am constantly afraid. And I do not know how to get free from fear." Billy Corgan had a very unloving and hard family life, so it's no wonder this part would stand out for him. Billy knows the ultimate solution to all problems, and "God" asks him "Tell me tell me what you're after," And Billy replies, "I just want to get there faster." As in he wants to merge into the divine as fast as possible.
The song Suffer also clues us into Nisargadatta. Billy asks God twice, "will you wait?" And God quickly and compassionately replies twice: "Yes I will, I will wait for you." But there are conditions. One must cleans his life before liberation, so God tells Billy, "To cleanse your life takes more than time," because there will be obstacles --there will be challenges. But then God entices Billy into taking divinity here and now without going through all the trouble of struggles, challenges and more suffering and says, "Take what you want. Take all of it." In other words, take divinity and all of creation. Say yes to the present moment. Everything is yours because there is no you and me, everything is One and only God is. Were these lyrics inspired by Nisargadatta? He writes:
Q: Can you give us the taste of the experience of self-realisation?
M: Take the whole of it! It is here for the asking. But you do not ask. Even when you ask, you do
not take. Find out what prevents you from taking.
Q: I know what prevents -- my ego.
M: Then get busy with your ego -- leave me alone. As long as you are locked up within your mind,
my state is beyond your grasp.
Free Music Review: The Beginning Was Beautiful, Too.
Hit: 5 Stars
Here is The Smashing Pumpkins' full-length debut album from 1991. The Pumpkins' sound here displays what we would come to expect from the gang: heavy, searing, multi-tracked guitars (which often gets compared to Brian May - of Queen fame), melancholic, dreamy soundscapes and lyrics, contrasts from heavy sounds to soft sounds. However, these are the beginning stages of what would fully blossom on later efforts like 1993's _Siamese Dream_, and 1995's _Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness_. While the heavy tracks feature the ethereal wall-of-sound that the Pumpkins are known for, this heaviness is not as full, lush, and oceanic as it would become on aforementioned following discs, but you can hear where the band was headed.
However, when taken as it is -- an album showing the band in it's earliest stages -- _Gish_ is an excellent, highly enjoyable album. It is hardly a disappointing album -- far, far from it. The Pumpkins' amalgamation of heavy (but melodic and dreamy) rockers and dreamy, atmospheric, psychedelic-tinged mellow tracks appear here, giving ample proof that the Pumpkins didn't necessarily change their sound over the years, but rather refined it. "I Am One" and "Siva" open up the album on hard-driving notes. The former could be heard on alternative rock radio stations, even to this day. Do you think that because The Smashing Pumpkins made hard-rockers, they used nothing more than simple power chords? Well, both these tracks feature arpeggiated chords that are beyond simple.
The hard-driving rockers are interrupted for what are possibly the most ethereal, wispy, mood-inducing six minutes on the album: "Rhinoceros" is such a heavenly beauty, and is without a doubt, my favorite track on this album. Billy Corgan's acquired vocal stylings blend perfectly with the dreamy atmospheres brought on by the guitar arpeggios, textured arrangements, and the treatment of them all. Many complain about Billy's voice, but what other vocalist could complement the Pumpkins' music as perfectly as his? Nobody I can think of (except maybe one of the other Pumpkins.. ), but regardless, his voice was an ethereal instrument unto itself.
Elsewhere, "Crush" seems to foreshadow "Thirty-Three," as it's a dream-folk track (it's very hard to categorize in exact terms.) Billy's vocals are lovely here. "Snail" is a moody piece that seems to share a kinship with most adult contemporary music -- except this rocks harder, and the lyrics are probably a bit more inscrutable. The rocker "Tristessa" sounds like it could have been a dry run for "Cherub Rock." Listen to some of those whacked-out fills from drummer extraordinaire Jimmy Chamberlain. "Window Paine" is almost as mood-inducing as "Rhinoceros," and takes it's time by resting on one or two chords, which build up to an explosive, cathartic climax, and the ethereal, acoustic closer "Daydream" features bassist D'Arcy on lead vocals, followed by a brief coda from Billy.
An excellent album from an excellent band, of whom I miss dearly. Definitely worth owning, but if you're new to the Pumpkins, start with _Siamese Dream_ first.
Free Music Review: Amazing debut from a band that would become big
Hit: 5 Stars
..this album shows it. "Gish" was released in 1991, and sadly, was eclipsed by the release of Nirvana's "Nevermind" knocking the Pumpkins back a bit. But that surely didn't stop the band, as they went on to relase such amazing works as "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie" in later years. "Gish" is an power assault on the ears, nice crunchy guitars, with haunting vocals by Billy Corgan, and one track ("Daydream") featuring the bassist, D'Arcy on lead vocals. The band proved to be both experimental and unique, tying in hardcore rockers like "Siva" with the soft gently, trippy sound of songs like "Snail" and "Crush". Here, the Pumpkins perfect their loud-soft dynamic, especially on songs like "Rhinocerous" (great flanger effect on the guitar here) and of course "Daydream" which even features, yes, a cello! "I Am One" has the best drum intro, proving Jimmy Chamberlain a drum god, while "Siva" the first single, shows Billy and James' amazing chemistry and guitarwork. "Rhinocerous" is a slow rocker, that builds up in the middle, one of my all time favorites - was released as the second single for this album and was also featured on the E.P. "Lull" issued in 1992. "Bury Me" is just awesome, if not trippy at times.. and there are some really awesome guitar licks in this song right before the end where Billy sings "She will bury me". "Crush" is another favorite, which begins with a scale on the bass, a slow, trippy, beautiful song. "Suffer" another rocker with lines like "All that you suffer is all that you are" and "too late to recover piece of mind/too late to recover me" - the song takes a turn in the middle and just.. simply rocks, I can't even describe it, the song just emits an aura, a feeling. "Snail" and "Tristessa" are 2 of my favorite tracks. "Window Paine" is a slow song, that probably is my least favorite on the album- "window paine around my heart" Billy sings. Its just too slow for my tastes, but sort of reminds me of "Silverf***" on Siamese Dream in some ways, its just an odd sort of song. The closing track "Daydream" is a sad song lyrically, but musically sounds happy. "my daydream screams bitter til the end.../the love i shared true, selfish to the heart/my heart my sacred heart" - D'Arcy sings. D'Arcy adds a really nice touch to this song, the original demos had Billy on vocals. But, Billy still chimes in at the end of the song theres a small bit called "I'm Going Crazy" in which Billy sings "I'm going crazy/I don't want your feelings..". All in all an amazing debut from a band that would go on to create greater things. This album is a must get for any pumpkins fan, and its great to see how the pumpkins began. Musically, this album is a triumph and really shows the talent of the band.Free Music Review: Feel the Bass!
Hit: 5 Stars
Certainly there is a lot you can say about how Gish ISN'T the Pumpkins' best work, but there is one aspect in which it stands above the others: bass. In Siamese Dream the bass largely seems to get lost amongst the guitars (not that you can't hear it, but it seems to be kept pretty simplified - just backing the chords mostly). And in Mellon Collie, the focus switches to all sorts of unusual effects and electronics, and bass is again left in the background. But Gish is different, Gish actually has a lot of interesting bass lines and songs centered around bass (at least for parts of them). All this said, I'm really a guitar man at heart, I just thought the observation was interesting. Though I DO recommend the album. Not for the new fan maybe - start with Siamese Dream (song-for-song their best album) and then probably experience the diversity, creativity and sheer prolific-output the Pumpkins are capable of with Mellon Collie. But if you like those albums, you'll like Gish, or at least you should. The same great songwriting is at work, the same brand of touching, emotional lyrics, it just has been fully refined yet.
Okay I'm gonna sidetrack a bit hear, so no need to read on if you're only interested in Gish. I just wanted to say something about where I think the Pumpkins stand in the overall scheme of things. They probably are my favorite band, but I also like a lot of other highly (and even not so highly) regarded bands, so I feel qualified to make objective commentary. First of all, a lot of reviewers seem to classify the Smashing Pumpkins as grunge. In my mind, they're really not. They just don't have that grungy sound, even when they use distortion, even if they were from the same time period. Their sound is pretty unique - part of it is Corgan's voice, of course, which is truly one-of-a-kind, but it's also their songwriting - it's just too diverse a mix to catagorize under any one genre (other than the rock genre). And yes, like a lot of other Pumpkins fans, I DO think the Pumpkins were better than Nirvana in terms of band of the '90s (also better than the great Pearl Jam who I personally rate higher than Nirvana...neither band maybe had the same influence or effect on pop-culture especially given Kurt's death, but MUSICALLY they both wrote better songs and more consistent albums). In fact, the only band I would really put up their close to the Pumpkins in terms of 90's bands is Radiohead. The Pumpkins and Radiohead both rise above the competition for one basic reason - they put genuine emotion into their songs - in the music, in the words, and in the WAY the words are sung...no other band moves me as much as these two - the Pumpkins with their earnest poetry about feelings I can relate to, and Radiohead with a ... singer who is out of this world.