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An introductory drum roll drops out and is replaced by a single suspended electric guitar, which is then paralleled by a snare, filled in with the bass, and--crash!--"Cherub Rock", the opening track, is enveloped in an explosion of metal guitar. So the journey begins. This album is pre-experimentation vintage Pumpkins. Produced by Butch Vig (Garbage, Sonic Youth, Nirvana's Nevermind), Siamese Dream is first about guitars. Lots and lots of guitars. A very close second is Jimmy Chamberlain's unquestionably excellent power drumming. Throughout each song, Billy Corgan delivers angsty lyrics in his signature breathy whine. "Disarm" is a nice intermission halfway though the album. As the title of the song suggests, it throws the listener into a different mood with its full string arrangements and radiant orchestral chimes. But then it is back to the aural masochism--a pain that rarely sounds so sweet. --Beth Bessmer
Review
The Smashing Pumpkins are... were... are? Sorry. The Smashing Pumpkins were not a grunge band. (Billy Corgan's current outfit truly isn't worthy of the name.) They were always Stadium Rock Behemoths that had to wait a while to actually become Stadium Rock Behemoths. Their debut LP, Gish, might have emerged in 1991, year zero for grunge with the release of the world-conquering Nevermind. But any similarities to Nirvana's chart-topper were slight sonic parallels courtesy of sharing the same producer, Butch Vig. The bands came from very different places, and took very different directions. For Kurt Cobain fame and fortune was seen, publically at least, as an aside to his art; Corgan, meanwhile, had his sights on setting the music world ablaze however he could.
From the first rallying call of Cherub Rock–"hipsters unite"–it's obvious to even the laziest listener that the Pumpkins' second LP is a calculated exercise in exploitation, ticking the necessary boxes of a market spoilt rotten by the post-Nevermind boom in plaid-clad musicians full of angst they should have grown out of already. But while it's full of clichés, Siamese Dream (again with Vig on production) is in no way a bad album. It's the yin to Nirvana's yang of In Utero–both albums released in 1993, one a shiny statement of mainstream-courting intent, the other a bleak withdrawal from such a position into one of leave-me-be caterwauling. At no point does Siamese Dream not sound massive: Cherub Rock has only just settled into silence before Quiet begins its bludgeoning of the listener's senses. It features a moment where Corgan seems to call out his grunge-era peers-cum-rivals–"We are the fossils / the relics of our time"–before lyrically turning his back on what's been for a future painted gold.
Not before a moment's pause, mind–it's the most-tender tracks on Siamese Dream that have endured better than the blitzes that surround them, and Today is the best song Corgan has ever written. The only song that comes close in the Pumpkins catalogue is 1979, from 1995's sprawling double-album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. (Oh, go on: I'll give you Tonight, Tonight from the same album, too.) There is such purity to the line "today is the greatest day I've ever known" that it will never age. However much Corgan continues to pour misery on Pumpkins fans with his persistent misadventures matters not a jot when he's got this in his back pocket, ready to roll out at any show and have all in attendance forgiving everything, if only for three glorious minutes. Nutshell: Today is one of the greatest songs of all time.
There are further highs to be found on Siamese Dream–the soaring-and-screeching Mayonnaise was a big favourite of mine back when, and Rocket and Disarm are memorable singles, the latter a string-laden lament of uncommon intensity (banned from Top of the Pops at the time due to some ambiguous lyrical content). The album earned Grammy and MTV Award nominations, and is frequently listed as one of the best long-players of the 1990s. In truth it's not as brilliant as it thinks it is, but this is a collection that will always be well received when it pops up on shuffle–albeit primarily because of its still-stunning centrepiece, Today.
--Mike DiverFind more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By mell_2
Format:Audio CD
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.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Quaddy
Format:Audio CD
i have owned this album since december 1993, when as a teenager in my penultimate year of high school, the whole 'grunge' thing was underway - i bought the cassette from grey & pinks record store on a trip to town after school - i remember the first time i had to listen to the whole album from start to finish, bizarrely, was on the way to participate in an indoor tennis tournament (ughh), was being driven there by my father, it was raining all the way and dark - the album was so new, fresh and awe inspiring - the track which gave me goosebumps at that time and still does to this day (listening to it right now on cd) is the majestical track called 'Disarm' - truly beautiful - as others have said, the album has no weak links and is a tour de force throughout - very high caliber material indeed
strangely i dont think this album has aged quite as much as some of the other big names from that time, the pumpkins style, certainly on this album transcends eras which are normally easily defineable
a great range of styles from more melodic through to heavy agressive riffs should find its feet with most audiences
thank god i was the right age to stumble upon this gem and still have it to refer to this day
strangely i dont think this album has aged quite as much as some of the other big names from that time, the pumpkins style, certainly on this album transcends eras which are normally easily defineable
a great range of styles from more melodic through to heavy agressive riffs should find its feet with most audiences
thank god i was the right age to stumble upon this gem and still have it to refer to this day
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Audio CD
From quiet,transcending beginnings to crashing guitars, this album showpieces fantastic musical ability and inspiring lyrics that come from the heart.Featuring some of the best songs the Pumpkins have done, I love this album. Maybe at first you won't like it, but soon you'll find you can't stop listening to it.It will grow on you. It makes you think, it makes you wanna rock, its got to be one of the best albums of the 90's.Mayonaise is such a divine song, the acoustic version on Vieuphoria is a must listen.'Today' is such a great song too,often credited with being their first big hit which put them on toop of the rock mountain. Songs like 'Disarm' and 'Spaceboy' come from the heart and showcase Billy Corgan's magical song writing. If there's one Pumpkins album you buy then maybe it should be Siamese Dream.If its two then definitely get Mellon Collie.
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
compelling, curious, mysterious, majestic, intriguing
i bought this LP not long after it came out when i was at art college and would buy most things that were either rated in the nme or by students i respected or aspired to.. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Martin Harrison
5.0 out of 5 stars
Masterpiece.
One of the greatest rock albums created. SP are a bit of a love-hate band, no doubt due to Billy's unique vocals and opinions, but this a beautiful listen. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Gyan Hayre
5.0 out of 5 stars
In a dream we are connected, Siamese twins
I'll go all out and say that Siamese Dream is the best pure rock album of the 90's. That says how amazing it is given how many greats there are. Read more
Published 7 months ago by C22man
5.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth It
I still remember the first time I listened to this album on its original release - the drum roll and urgent guitars of "Cherub Rock" followed by the cacophony of "Quiet" and all of... Read more
Published 10 months ago by The Lamb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best rock album of the 90's
It's a big claim that this is the best rock album of the 90's as we all know Metallica, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, RHCP, (the list goes on) all have 'classic' albums BUT non of them are... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Grant56429
5.0 out of 5 stars
Aching beauty and an introduction to melloncollie...
Review of the remastered album.
Honestly this is one of my favourite albums, and I've waited a long time for a remaster. I'm trying not to be biased here... Read more
Honestly this is one of my favourite albums, and I've waited a long time for a remaster. I'm trying not to be biased here... Read more
Published 12 months ago by SilverWolf
2.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely disappointed
My low rating has got nothing to do with music. The remastered version of this superb album sounds great and the outtakes cd proves how good Smashing Pumpkins were at their peak. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Shterten ze Bertens
5.0 out of 5 stars
siamese dream remastered review
This amazing album sounds even more amazing with the remastered treatment as you can really tell and hear different things you might not have noticed before, this is really where... Read more
Published 16 months ago by steve
5.0 out of 5 stars
Siamese dream
An absolute brilliant album, really well worth having in your collection with no duff tracks to be seen. I had forgotten what a great band.
Published 17 months ago by J. E. Fillis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Forget the remastered CD, disc 2 is AMAZING
OK, maybe a bit harsh, but a lot of us will already have Siamese Dream and will wonder whether this is worth it. Disc 2 is INCREDIBLE. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Truth be told
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