Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
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Free Music Notes for Siamese Dream
Free Music Review: The start of something special
Hit: 5 Stars
I admit, I never bought or heard "Gish".
I, like many out there in the early 90's, started my Pumpkins experience with this album and 12 years later, it is still one of the best investments I've ever made.
I absolutely ADORE (pardon the pun) their follow up "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness", I think it is the crowning achievement of not only the Pumpkins, but 90's rock music.
But all these years later, I am gaining further pleasure from "Siamese Dream" than I did even when it came out, and that's saying something because I LOVED it from day 1.
I find myself going back to my 90's music collection because of how horrible "rock" music has been throughout this decade, with very few exceptions (System of a Down, White Stripes and a handful of others).
I always liked "Today" basically from the first time I heard it back in the early 90's, and I thought "Disarm" was a masterpiece the level of which I never heard before in the world of rock music.
But I am even more into songs like "Mayonnaise" and "Soma" now then I was then upon re-listening to this cd lately.
"Mayonnaise" is a tremendous song and in my opinion, the best on the cd, which is really saying something considering that I love basically every song on this masterpiece.
I am a HUGE Pumpkins fan and can't wait for Billy's solo album to come out next month.
This album IS everything it was cracked up to be, for people looking to get into the Samshing Pumpkins, buy this first, then their best and THE best rock album of the 90's "Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness".
You will not be disappointed AT ALL.
The Smashing Pumpkins were the best band of the 90's hands down and maybe the best American Rock Band EVER !!
Genius and pure bliss...that is their sound.
Billy Corgan is one of the true geniuses in rock history and this brilliant piece of work was his first real opportunity to share it with us, don't miss out on it.
You will thank me later !!!
This album is priceless, a true classic, eclipsed in 90's rock only by their own follow up "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" in the history of alt rock and rock in general.
Free Music Review: Classic from start to finish
Hit: 5 Stars
This being my first ever review on Amazon, I thought I'd start with one of the best. So here goes:
One sign of a great album is if it changes the way you think about music and expands your own definition of what is good. Thus is the case here for me. Siamese Dream has significantly impacted my taste in music ever since late '96 when I first bought it (along with Mellon Collie). Previously, I had viewed alternative rock as being a bit too edgy for my tastes. What this album proved to me is that music can be loud and beautifully melodic at the same time. How do you describe a song like "Mayonaise." Is it rock? It certainly has loud guitars and drums, but yet it moves me in a more emotional and mellow way. There is no need to understand what Billy is saying here to connect in a personal way and write your own meaning to it. That being said, the lyrics throughout the album, though a bit pessimistic overall, are exceptionally poetic. More than that, the sound here is classic Pumpkins, unmistakable for anyone else. The layered guitars are certainly influenced by late '80s shoegazer bands like My Bloody Valentine and Ride, but they carry a uniquely warm, buzzing quality that you need to hear to understand. Many of these songs transition from soft to loud, fast to slow and don't follow the typical verse chorus verse format. Even the hit single "Today"(my #1 favorite radio song of the decade) is hard to define in those terms. Try and identify what is the chorus. The line "Today is the greatest" is repeated several times, but the tune and accompaniment continues to change. The rather un-"pop" approach to song structure found on nearly all of these songs keeps the album from getting old quickly and helps it to grow better with repeated listens. After nearly 9 years, I love it more than ever. I have also discovered numerous other great alternative bands like Radiohead, Sigur Ros, MBV, and Ride through a chain of influence begun here. If you are new to SP, this is the place to start, as it is their most solid release. Easily a 5 star album from beginning to end. Thanks for your time. SDF
Free Music Review: From the opening chords...
Hit: 5 Stars
...I just sit and think, 'Man oh man, where did it all go?'
As 'Cherub Rock' opens up this sweet roar of thunder, distortion waves against the room like a film of goo. It's all too great, it's all too beautiful. The echoing lyrics that mirror everything all around the teenage angst, these are themes, meanings, and all that apply. Tears can almost form when hearing what I consider the best 'Smashing Pumpkins' song ever. Suddenly the solo rips apart what anyone would consider standard, and the rest ends in a full on attack, bringing everyone with them.
'Quiet'...but not for long. Not even close, the edge continues and sanity breaks, a set back to the one before, but gasoline is thrown in the fire and we're on a road of yearning ambition, all the way until...
Silence for a minute, just a second really, and we're back on the trail. Something can be heard, I can hear it, something! The lick begins and I am happy. Who cannot be? It's, 'Today.' The warmest, sunnier side of the Pumpkins that we never ever really see again! It's everything we achieve in life and in the end, we try to keep going higher, but what is our utmost concern, or rather, how can we be happier having been the happiest ever?
I'm almost asleep, but I can hear the music continuing. From the dismal and compelling 'Disarm' to the funky 'Geek USA' and 'Mayonaise', I'm finally rewarded with the full life painting of that which is, The Smashing Pumpkins. A band that would continue on to something big by never looking back.
I'm awake and I realize the album is over. Bummer. It's hard to realize such a decent sound is so dated and buried, especially when the band who made it, is destroyed and gone. But then again, unlike the band, we look back and we see where they took us, and we can always go on and on that way. 'Siamese Dream' is an experience, it's one of those rare albums, much like Floyd's 'Animals', where you can't listen to one track, but listen to all. It's one of those albums that's just...good.
Free Music Review: Pure shoegazer-alt bliss.
Hit: 5 Stars
Although Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness was more ambitious and diverse, Siamese Dream is arguably the best album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog.
In 1993, the Smashing Pumpkins were probably one of the most original bands of the alternative scene. With incredible soundscapes of guitar distortion, Billy Corgan's impassioned and ethereal vocals, and Jimmy Chamberlain's excellent drumming, these guys had a sound that was nothing like any alternative band of the time. Only My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (released in 1991) with its similar guitar-dominated sound could be considered as an influence, but Siamese Dream has its own distinct impact.
My, what a sound. Billy Corgan sounds better here than any other Pumpkins album--on later albums he sounded whiny; here he sounds obscure yet not overly shrill. The guitar playing is incredible (listen to the outro of Rocket) and the music grabs you by the collar and takes you in with its sweeping power.
Cherub Rock, with its slowly building opening leading to a bombastic arena rocker, is the perfect start to this album. After that, the double hit of Quiet and Today provides immense satisfaction. After Hummer and Rocket pass by leaving their audio imprint on you, the mood takes a sudden turn with the orchestral and haunting ballad Disarm which leads into the soft rock of Soma. The white-hot rage of Geek USA quickly rips through your ears before yielding to two more wonderful ballads--Mayonaise and Spaceboy. After that, the loud and powerful Silverf--k takes over. Finally, the album ends on a whisper with Sweet Sweet and Luna.
You won't be tempted to skip through a single track. Although future efforts were more ambitious, the Smashing Pumpkins never made an album this flawless again. You can't lose by adding this one to your collection.
..By the way, there's nothing really "explicit" about the lyrics. Even Silverf--k contains no profanity, except for the barely audible interludes.
Free Music Review: One of the best rock albums of the last two decades.
Hit: 5 Stars
I think the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the best rock bands of the 90's, easily. Billy Corgan has become one of my favorite guitarists recently. His work on the studio albums is brilliant, layering guitar upon guitar with brilliant riffs and awesome solos. His lyrics are often depressed and angry, but they show hope and beauty too. Lyrics aren't usually as important to me as music, but Billy Corgan writes good ones, in my opinion.
"Cherub Rock" opens up with a simple clean guitar playing the main riff. Within less than a minute, a wall of guitars is hitting you, but it's still extremely listenable. The melodies of this song are awesome, and I'd bet you've heard it on the radio. "Quiet" is a assault of layered metal riffs. "Today" is another radio song. It's one of the weaker songs on the whole, but I think it's still pretty nice. "Hummer" is nearly 7 minutes long, with several different parts and great textures and melodies. "Disarm" is a beautiful acoustic guitar and vocal track, with strings added (that are good and not cheesy). "Soma" starts with a peaceful clean guitar riff, but explodes into a wall of distorted guitars and wild leads. "Geel U.S.A." is one of the best rockers, and one of the most layered. I don't know how many guitars are in this song, but I'm pretty sure it's more than 12 or so. The solo is wildly energetic, and the metal riffs are awesome. "Mayonaise" is gorgeous and noisy at the same time. There are no bad songs.
When I first got into the Pumpkins, I didn't like Billy Corgan's voice that much, but I've grown to love it...I dunno. The wall of sound created by Billy Corgan's guitars combined with his original voice and songwriting is also backed up by the experienced drumming of Jimmy Chamberlain. He used to be in a jazz band apparently, and the guy definitely knows what he's doing.
If you want my opinion (I guess you do, if you've read this far), this is one of the best rock albums of the 90's, and you should buy it. Highly recommended.