Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces Iscariot
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.00 You Save: $8.98 (50%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Music CD See more new music releases 
|
|---|
Canadian Music Store
Free Music Notes for Pisces Iscariot
Free Music Review: Noisy din from classic Pumpkins era
Hit: 5 Stars
OK, so it's not all a noisy din. For instance, the aptly named first song, "Soothe," features a gentle opening with only Billy Corgan's close voice and a wispy acoustic guitar. Recorded in his apartment at the spur of the moment on some beautiful inspiration, "Soothe" catches the essence and spirit of this great album.
These awesome backburner B-sides probably best the songs heard on Gish, for the most part. "Pisces Iscariot" is the definition of spontaneous musical output, songs truly recorded in the spirit of the moment in the early 1990s. "Plume" features a lazy and rough-grinding riff, accompanied by endearing slacker values: "I don't care to give enough," moans Corgan morosely, as if he has no intention of becoming the hip new voice of his generation. After the breezy tunes "Whir" and "Blew Away," this album really kicks into a higher gear, as the supreme rockers "Pissant" and "Hello Kitty Kat" blow everything over within one hundred feet of their path, like an angry tornado of sound. These two songs are as raw and feisty as this band has ever been, and were recorded in a muffled style at a fast and furious pace. Perhaps it's not ear candy, especially for those expecting tunes like "Today," "Mayonaise" or "Sweet Sweet," but it is some great rock and roll. Between Jimmy Chamerlain's snappy and forceful drums, the all-encompassing bellowing guitars and a huge bass sound, one can't help but be bowled over. "Hello Kitty Kat" is especially a hard-driving tune, easily one of the hardest of this band's storied career. On it, the Pumpkins sound like a bunch of teenagers trying to prove themselves, which may not be too far from the truth.
As a whole, it's the middle of "Pisces Iscariot" that is untouchable. After the hard rockers, "Obscured," a dreamy acoustic tune with a country-tinged slide guitar and laid-back lyrics, slows things down to a mesmerizing degree. One of the Pumpkins' best slow songs ever, "Obscured" is achingly beautiful. And "Starla" (like many of these songs), probably deserved A-side status somewhere in the Pumpkin cannon. It begins slow, psychadelic and seductive, with soft and echoey guitars that build to climactically buzzing electric guitars, which then revert back to quiet, simple, almost humble beginnings. Meanwhile, Corgan repetatively sings basically the same lyrics and refrain, which leads to a dramatic, purposely long, guitar-fueled, bass-heavy grand finale. "Starla" is one of the coolest rock songs ever written.
Arguably, "Pisces Iscariot" may have ended just fine on the energized aura of "Starla." Anything after that song is bound to be a bit of a letdown. However, some of the album's more interesting tunes kick in at the end. "Blue" can also be found on the short EP Lull, and was a nice addition to this album. "Girl Named Sandoz" has a grittier, almost blues/rock feel, quite different from most of Corgan's work to that point. The following "La Dolly Vita" has a certain swaying groove, and probably ranks as the album's most polished effort. Corgan branches out yet again on "Spaced, the closing tune, indeed a relaxing and spacey piece of work, full of echoes and a whining slide guitar. The last three songs stick out like a sore thumb amid the early-'90s vibe of the proceeding songs, yet they show Corgan further spreading his sonic wings and branching out his style. It's easy to see why so many thought this band had great potential at such a young age. Full of fire, spirit and talent, fed from a charismatic and ambitious lead singer, the Smashing Pumpkins owned the world with these remarkable songs.
Free Music Review: Pumpkins' B-Sides?
Hit: 5 Stars
The Smashing Pumpkins' music that made the actual studio albums were, for the most part, nothing short of enigmatic, yet positively beautiful, otherworldly, mood-inducing and cathartic. The songs that didn't make the albums, however, are just as stunning and deserving of the attention from any Pumpkin fan. In fact, some of these songs could surpass some of the ones that actually made the albums; further evidencing the need to own the B-sides.
_Pisces Iscariot_ is a collection of B-sides and outtakes deriving mostly from the _Siamese Dream_ sessions, while a couple derive from the _Gish_ sessions, and one track is taken from the (now) hard-to-find _Lull_ EP.
A reviewer below makes a great observation: _Pisces Iscariot_ doesn't feature the overall grandiose, bombastic consistency of mood found on _Siamese Dream_ and subsequent Pumpkins studio albums. Instead, there's more of an intimate, lo-fi and subtly nostalgic mood that permeates these recordings. But, regardless, the trademark Pumpkins' mix of soft, dreamy ambience, and overdriven sonic extremeties are here aplenty.
Some of my favorites: "Soothe" is a track recorded in Billy Corgan's bedroom. An intimate, low-key acoustic track featuring autumnal chords, which provide as the backdrop for Billy's equally intimate, breathy mannerisms. "Frail and Bedazzled" is a retro-sounding rocker with a tint of psychedelic mannerisms. The swirling guitars, the precise, yet seductively-rhythmic drumming from Jimmy Chamberlain (this guy was mind-blowing on the kit), and D'Arcy's bottom-heavy basslines coalesce to create this indescribably beautiful number.
"Whir" is simply one of the most preciously beautiful things this band ever did, and they have done many, to say the least. The dreamy melody, punctuated by the strumming of the seemingly-unplugged strings, the willowy, subtle line overdubs, and Billy's breathy vocals are some of the few things that help to create this monumental beauty. The minor-key ending was a nice way to round off this one. "Blew Away" is a dreamy number by James Iha. The first part starts off slow, only to end on a heavier note.
The next two songs are the Pumpkins at their explosive best: "Pissant" is almost punk-like in it's rhythm and lyrics, yet you would rarely find overdriven guitars as thick and heavy as this in most punk songs. "Hello Kitty Kat" is almost ambient in it's heaviness; the heaviness and overdriven sonics are so extreme, that it nearly crosses over into house & techno. The wall-of-sound is massive here, and Billy's soft voice is beautifully drowned in the explosive mix. It creates a wonderful effect, and the noise only gets more intense as the song progresses. What's more astounding? The noise is actually melodic and almost trance-inducing.
After those last two sonic powerhouses, we are brought back into the band's softer side. "Obscured" is a beautifully-meandering, mood-inducing number, which actually ends on an eerie, fuzzed-out note. "Landslide" is the Pumpkins' cover of the famous Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac track. Billy and gang actually did a nifty job on this performance. Billy claims that this song is quite an inspiration on him, and that he highly identifies with it. "Starla" is an 11-minute powerhouse. Starts off smoothly and melodically, with a few psychedelic-like backdrops. Then, later, it concludes with a swirling, drawn-out instrumental jam that you could easily lose yourself in.
Not much else needs to be said. If you're a Pumpkins fan, you won't want to be without it. Of course, if you really are a Pumpkins fan, you already do have it. But, by the subtle chance that you fall into the former, you've got my recommendation, to say the least.
Free Music Review: Argueably better than ANY B-Sides album EVER Released.
Hit: 5 Stars
The Smashing Pumpkins have outdone most any band from the 90s that made their mark on the alternative rock scene. Why? If you listen to the fuzzy crunch of siamese dream, and the beautiful mellow rock of Mellon Collie, and of course, this album...an album that would stand the test of time for a B-Sides collection, Pisces Iscariot, you would see why. This is no ordinary B-Sides compilation that was thrown together from old discarded songs and demos that were plain jane material. All of the Pumpkins' material, and I mean ALL of it...everything from album cuts, to radio hits, to B-Sides, to stuff that never surfaced until the band broke up was worthy of an open ear and a good listen. I'll review each song as I see it.
Soothe - 4/5. A Very mellow, sad acoustic ballad about loneliness and being hungry. One of Billy's old acoustic demos from the siamese era. It was recorded in his apartment bedroom, and you can hear rainy traffic.
Frail and Bedazzled - 4/5. A nice, short, mellow rocker with some real 'tude to it. Corgan's solo is pretty fun to hear in this one.
Plume - 4/5. Taken from the I Am One single, this fuzzed-out Slow Rocker is a nice little song that takes the album into a different side of the pumpkins.
Whir - 4/5. Possibly the mellowest song on the album, this song is respected by many, hated by few. It seems to have a bit of a country twist to it.
Blew Away - 3/5. From the James Iha collection. This song never really struck me, but it seems like a nice little song that your girlfriend would like.
Pissant - 4/5. A nice two minute rocker with some super fast powerchords and some attitude. Got me a raygun, got me an attitude...
Hello Kitty Kat - 4/5. A Slow Rocker that flanges in and out of your speakers on high octane fuzz.
Obscured - 5/5. This song is a very nice song that seems to go nowhere but inspires you and captures you nonetheless. Taken from the Today single.
Landslide - 3/5. Not the best job of singing by Corgan, and it's not the best cover they've ever done. In my opinion, Dancing In The Moonlight would have better fit in Landslide's Place.
Starla - 5/5. Nothing is perfect, but this song gets a five from me, because this is pure Pumpkins. Take it, put it in a jar, add water, shake it up, which ever way you want. This song is raw Pumpkin power. It starts off with a slow rhythm, leaves out with an Asus2 chord...then kick on the dirtbox and VROOM!! This thing takes off. The 6 minute jam session after the actual song is finished is amazing. Don't skip over this one.
Blue - 4/5. A nice little rocker that will make you want to get up and dance. This song takes several twists and turns. As soon as it's done rocking, then it slows to a mellow pace, then starts rocking again. Great song!
Girl Named Sandoz - 3/5. An Animals' Cover, not the best, but it's a good song to get up and dance to.
La Dolly Vita - 5/5. Taken from the Tristessa vinyl. I understand why it was a B-Side. It would have never fit with the distorted fury of Gish. Sort of reminiscent of Crush, this is one of my favorite songs from the Pumpkins. Absolutely beautiful.
Spaced - 3/5. Sounds like something I would do myself. Expiramental sounds and passing voices in and out. Not really a song, but a good closure for this collection.
Smashing Pumpkins were a great band, and this album proves it. This is no ordinary B-Sides album, this is solid material. I don't even understand why some bands release B-Side albums, because most of the B-Sides really really don't go anywhere. The Pumpkins however break through those barriers and provide us with some very listenable stuff.
Free Music Review: don't "b" mislead...
Hit: 5 Stars
The Pumpkins have been my favorite rock band ever since I heard "cherub rock",their first single from the Siamese Dream album back in '93. Ever since I've been hooked on their unique brand of heavy, overdriven guitar rock, interspersed with some of the most beautiful softer songs(which only accentuate the harder ones even more). This band just has a unique sound that I think can mainly be attributed to the songwriting of Billy Corgan, of whom I believe is one of the best songwriters/guitarists ever, although guitarist James Iha throws in the occasional gem as well. In my opinion, Pisces Iscariot showcases the true power of this band in their peak, and I think it's definitely a companion piece to Siamese Dream, seeing that most of the songs on Pisces are Siamese Dream outtakes or b-sides to the UK cd single releases. This album is my favorite album of Pumpkins material, and it's really odd because these songs are considered b-sides. I think that the fact that this collection of songs is considered "second rate" or "outtake" material is a testament to the amazing skill and songwriting of this band. These songs move from really soft acoustic("soothe") on to more tripped out, mellow psychedelic numbers "obscured", "spaced", "la dolly vita") on to the Pumpkins' trademark sonic crunch("hello kitty kat", "frail and bedazzled") and the James Iha penned "blew away" is the best he's written in my opinion. They also do an excellent Stevie Nicks cover("landslide"), as well as a great cover of the Animals song "girl named sandoz"(perhaps a tribute to their supposed LSD use in their early days)and "starla" is unique in the fact that it starts off slow and melodic and eventually turns into total acid-rock mayhem complete with killer feedback at the end. "whir" is actually my favorite song on this album, it's just beautiful in melody ..."I've wasted all my years, been chasin' all my fears"..."whir yourself around, just to fall back down". This album is just a hodgepodge of excellent music from beginning to end, and really epitomizes the Pumpkins sound... If you're already a Pumpkins fan then you already know their brilliance, but to anyone new to this amazing group, I definitely recommend this album along with Siamese Dream as their top 2 albums. Also keep an eye out for Zwan, Billy's new band, featuring former Pumpkin(and the most awesome drummer ever) Jimmy Chamberlain.Free Music Review: dead......dead....was...i......ever.......alive?
Hit: 5 Stars
First of all this album holds so much pure emotion in it. The songs are amazing, really it's hard to believe they are b-sides. In my opinion its one of the best albums of all time. It's the kind of album you listen to late at night under the stars, or early in the morning when your mind is open and searching. This album grows on you at first it seems kind of bland, til you listen to the words and are in the right atmosphere to take it all in. And i have to say the version of 'landslide' on this is much better than the original, why because it has the right emotion to it, something the original lacks, it's not over sang but sang with a true feeling to it. This album is for solitude and pondering.These are b-sides which in this case means that they are as good as album quality, yet more honest and straight forward. This Album has the earlier pumpkins sound to it, which depending on what you like is or isn't a good thing, but if you like siamese dream you'll like this.
The first song other than landslide to hit me was"plume" A slower listless song that has a great feel to it. Probalbly one of the best on the album. the chorus defines the texture of the song " my boredome has outshined the sun, just want to have me some little fun".
This album isn't adrenaline laced, but yet it has more of a dream like feel to it. Like the songs "whir" and "obscured" these two songs have this sort of vintage feel to them, like personal reflection on the last few years of your life. They are both softer songs in perfect example of billy corgan's song writing excellence. Then you come to james iha's "blew Away" Which is amazing, i personally think it should have been on an album. Then you have such heavier songs as "pissant" and the passive aggressive "hello kitty kat" Both great and not to heavy but still louder and nifty to listen to. They have this killer physcadelic feel. Nex t i'd like to talk about the last track "Spaced" people will say it's weird, but i personally feel that's not what billy corgan was trying to present, more so it's a very personal song, which also has a great theme. It's a very inspiring
song.
anyways i'm not sure if this review helped anyone, but just let me say this you won't regret buying this album. It's worth every minute of your valuable time