Music Video of the Week: "That's the Way" (live on Letterman) - Smashing Pumpkins

We will objectively review the new Smashing Pumpkins album sometime soon. Meanwhile, here's a performance of new song "That's the Way (My Love Is)" ...

The Complex and Frustrating Adore

The Smashing Pumpkins did not grab me initially. It was not until I saw the "Tonight, Tonight" video that I was completely drawn in. Thus, 1998's Adore was the first Smashing Pumpkins' album that I actually "anticipated." A year earlier, the band contributed "Eye" to the Lost Highway soundtrack. To this day it remains my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song. The electronics of the song showed a dramatic shift in the band's musical direction, from the grunge meets shoegaze that had brought them to prominence. Word was they would follow this same path for Adore. I remember waiting with excitement for the album's release, feeling as though this would be one of those "groundbreaking" albums. Corgan had told MTV it would be "'arcane,' cause I think that it seems to sum up the music best. It's kind of like music from the past, but done in a futuristic way. And I think there's natural elements on the album and there are synthetic elements on the album." He added that he was trying to "make something that is indescribable."

The album is shrouded in darkness. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlain had been kicked out of the band. Furthermore, Corgan had just grown through a divorce and suffered the loss of his mother. He also seemed to be rejecting much of the fame his band's previous album had brought on, by making great steps to alter their sound and image.

Listening to it today, it's hard to believe this would be considered "groundbreaking" and it's also difficult trying to imagine what Corgan wanted to produce. The album is subdued built around drum machines and electronics that sound almost dated today. With so many styles and instruments brought in, it sounds very much scattered. The tone is dreary. The singles were great - the gothy electro "Ava Adore" and the nostalgic "Perfect." There are great moments all through the album - sometimes songs themselves ("Pug" for instance), sometimes buried in the details of songs. There seems to be a story here ... but often that story is hard to find. Trying to make it through the whole album proves to be a bit of a struggle.

But maybe this was the late nineties for a lot of people. Musical taste was shifting away from rock music. Electronic music failed to take over like some had anticipated. Corgan's attempt to mesh various genres reflects what many critics assumed would become the future of music, while the somber (almost bleak) tone reflects the disappointment coupled with the post-grunge era. It stands as a complex album, a fascinating moment in the Smashing Pumpkins history, an album very much stuck in its own time. And maybe that does make it "indescribable."

"Ava Adore"

The Case For ObjectivityWhen Reviewing Zeitgeist

It's hard not to be cynical about reunion albums, but I'm afraid Zeitgeist - the new record from the Smashing Pumpkins - will fall victim to "Eyes Wide Shut syndrome." That is to say critisc won't be able to separate their preconceived notions from the actual quality of the work, being either overly harsh or heaping too much praise. I've been listening to Zeitgeist a bit, and there are moments of brilliance reminiscent of classic Pumpkins. Billy Corgan sounds far more excited and reenergized than he did on Machina or either of his ill-fated post-Pumpkins projects. Then again - wasn't the Pumpkins legacy perfect as it is? Why taint with that - especially with new members?

Entertainment Weekly referred to it as the relaunching of a "brand" and as that, this reunion has worked brilliantly. Corgan is able to headline festivals and sell out arenas in a way he hasn't before. He's taken over MySpace with live videos and cut deals with chain stores. One has to wonder if this isn't at least a partial financial move. James Montgomery writes, "so far no one has been able to adequately explain why these Smashing Pumpkins are really the Smashing Pumpkins at all. To me, they seem like little more than Corgan's backing band." He follows that with a string of criticisms for the band's new music video, deemed "a mess."

Thus, the problem when reviewing an album such as this - argue that the capitalist explanation renders the work meaningless or wax nostalgic about your favorite band being back together, even if in name only. Or maybe just skip past the hideous artwork and enjoy a handful of songs showing what Corgan does best.

Smashing Pumpkins - "Disarm" (live/new!)

New Smashing Pumpkins Video - Live in Paris

So, the Smashing Pumpkins have reunited! Well, Billy Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlain have reconciled. Though, seeing as how Chamberlain played in Corgan's crappy band, Zwan, and Corgan played on Chamberlain's solo album, this wasn't too unexpected. On the otherhand, Corgan was unable to reconcile with former members D'Arcy and James Iha, and thus has replaced them with ... a couple other musicians. Anyway, the new look Pumpkins are playing some shows here and there and are set to release a new album next month. The first single has been generating some, um, reactions. You can watch the new video for "Tarantula" which features some poorly edited footage from their Paris show...


Now, Billy, I understand you want this to look like the real deal and not like an excuse for you to sell out arenas but, please, just treat us to the classics...


And, yes, "Perfect" is a Smashing Pumpkins classic.

New Music: Smashing Pumpkins, Interpol, the White Stripes, the View

OK so there are a lot of highly-anticipated releases slated for this summer, and now some previews are available ...

The first new Smashing Pumpkins single in years is streaming here. It would appear that this new incarnation of the Pumpkins is just Billy and Jimmy but more details have yet to emerge. The song is called "Tarantula" and I am not sure what I think of it.

A new Interpol song always excites me ... somehow more than all those bands who just sound like Interpol. I've been pretty excited about their major label debut and "The Heinrich Maneuver" (streaming here) does not disappoint - even if it does not stray too far from the group's winning formula. It is more dance, less atmosphere in their defense.

New White Stripes single is also streaming and totally kicks ass. Jack even does a rap!

Last, I have an acoustic mp3 of "Face For the Radio" by the View which you can download.