Back in 1997 when David Lynch and Trent Reznor were putting together the soundtrack to Lost Highway, Lynch suggested Billy Corgan as a contributor to the compilation. At first Billy submitted the song “Tear” (which is on the Unsung Masterpiece, Adore) but Lynch turned that down. Not long after, Billy completed “Eye,” and David Lynch gladly accepted it for the film, which was placed during the nightclub scene. “Eye” has been one of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs since I heard it. There is something about the song that is really gripping and dark. I’m kind of glad that it only appeared the Lost Highway soundtrack.
Smashing Pumpkins- Eye:
Smashing Pumpkins- Eye (Live with Marilyn Manson):
They don’t make videos like they used to. Way back, when the budgets for videos were HUGE, we the fans got some nearly cinematic pieces. I genuinely miss those days. Thinking about all that made me make this list of the best videos The Smashing Pumpkins ever did.
In anticipation of me going to see The Cure next week, I thought I’d delve a little deeper into Robert Smith’s career. Below are a few of the songs that he has guested on over the years.
This has always been one of my favorite Depeche Mode songs. When I heard Smashing Pumpkins cover it many many years ago, I loved the song even more. There is something to the way that Billy Corgan arranges songs, to make them his own. Enjoy this wonderful cover!
The process of following up a career defining album is a very serious task. The amount of pressure that is put on a band to follow that up with a great deal of success is overwhelming. The Smashing Pumpkins follow up to Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness, Adore is one of the most daring and intriguing albums in the bands discography. Recorded following the death of Billy Corgan’s mother and his divorce, this was a significant change of style from the bands guitar driven albums. Adore saw the band venture into more electronic territory. This was in part to drummer Jimmy Chamberlain being fired from the band before the recording process. Instead the drums on the album were cut from drum machines and the assistance of drummer Matt Walker who toured with the band following Chamberlains release. During this time as well, the bands image shifted toward a more darker gothic sensibility.
Adore is the type of album that when you first listen to it, you are taken aback by it. There is a purity and solemnness to it, that delves even deeper than the bands previous works. Songs like “To Sheila,” “Crestfallen,””For Martha,” exhibit this notion. The more electronic driven songs like “Ava Adore” and “Perfect” show some similarities to classic Pumpkins material. Then there are songs like “Tear,” “Appels & Oranjes,””Pug,” “Behold! The Night Mare,” that show an added maturity to Billy Corgan’s writing.
Adore was obviously not the album that fans of the band wanted, but it was necessary to reinvigorate the band to come to terms with their issues. Over time, Adore has been one of those albums that with time and age has truly become a wonderful album. It really has a sense that if you’ve lived life and been through hell to an extent, then this album will really hit the mark. Take it for another listen, and you’ll see what I mean.
Since The Smashing Pumpkins released their great new album Monuments To An Elegy late last year I’ve been on a huge Pumpkins kick. While on this journey I’ve looked into all the songs that Billy Corgan has been apart of with other bands, whether it’s co-writing, lending his vocals and guitar talents to. Here are a few of the songs that I found interesting that he guested on in someway.
Since it’s been 20 years since Smashing Pumpkins double album Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness came out, I thought this would be a great topic for an album debate. Since it’s a double album the debate is between what disc you prefer. Disc 1 is entitled Dawn to Dusk and features classic like “Zero,” “Bullet With Butterfly Wings,” and “Tonight, Tonight” along with some great deep cuts like “An Ode To No One,” “Jellybelly,” and “Muzzle.” This part of the album is heavier and filled with more rage. Disc 2 entitled Twilight To Starlight is loaded with songs that show a more mellow side of things. Songs like classics “1979,” and “Thirty-Three,” really set the tone of this side of the album. Other deep cuts like “XYU,” “Bodies,” “Where Boys Fear To Tread,” also give this side a kick in the teeth to break up the solemn mellowness.
I for one am a big fan of the album and depending on my mood it differs on which one I pick. I will say though that if I ha to pick one side, I would absolutely pick Disc 1: Dawn To Dusk. I just love the way the songs all flow into each other and the way that you can get so wrapped up in the angst but all the while there is a calming sense nestled in each song. Not to take anything away from Disc 2: Twilight To Starlight, which is an entirely different beast all on it’s own.
What side do you pick?
Smashing Pumpkins- Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness:
I’ve had a very complicated relationship with The Smashing Pumpkins over the years. I go through phases when I think wow, This is great, and then on the other hand I think gosh I can’t stand this. Lately I’ve been back to wow, this is really great. So, with that in mind, I present you the album rank of Smashing Pumpkins albums from not their best to their best.
One of the most intriguing things about music is when you are listening to a band and a guest vocalist sings on a song and their vocal performance leaves a lasting impression on you. This happens to me a lot. One of the most memorable of these moments happened when Cold released their album 13 Ways To Bleed On Stage and I heard Sierra Swan sing on the songs “No One” and “Witch.” Her voice stayed with me and I wanted more and her contribution on the next Cold album on the song “Suffocate” further cemented my love for her voice. Fast forward years later when she released her album Ladyland, I immediately scooped that up. Early on in her career, Swan got together with Graham Edwards and formed the band Dollshead. The band was signed and eventually dropped from MCA records. Sierra was also a member of The Black Eyed Peas early on. She has worked with Linda Perry (she produced Ladyland), and most recently worked with Billy Corgan on her 2014 album The Good Soldier. Sierra’s voice is whimsical and takes you on quite a journey through her songs. She has one of the most pure voices in all of rock music. And her guest contributions really take those songs up a notch.
Finally in 2000 after nearly 5 years in the making, Tony Iommi released the be all end all of solo albums featuring guest vocalists. All of the songs on the album were written by Tony Iommi, producer Bob Marlette and each of the vocalists that appear on the songs.The album features Phil Anselmo, Dave Grohl, Henry Rollins, Billy Corgan, Serj Tankian, Billy Idol, Ian Astbury, Peter Steele, Skin, and Ozzy. According to Tony Iommi, he and Phil Anselmo had recorded three tracks together for the album, but only one was put onto the album. Phil had later on said that there was a chance that they might have done a full album had time permitted amongst other things. The album peaked at number 129 on the Billboard chartsand its only single released, “Goodbye Lament” featuring Dave Grohl reached number 10 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. This album is quite a remarkable album, as it shows what Tony Iommi’s playing sounds like with different types of singers. Slash tried to do something similar with his first “solo” album, but to me he failed miserably mainly because he is overrated and picked the wrong people to have on his album. Tony Iommi is a true legend and master of his craft, and this album is a testament to his legacy
Iommi- Album:
Tony Iommi and Phil Anselmo- Invasion Of The Saviours:
AUDIOECLECTICA 