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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
After purchasing Vol.1 of the Teargarden collection, I thought Vol.2 would be pretty much the same thing. However I was surprised to find that The Pumpkins had made this one what I like to call "Vol.1... and then some". The box itself is beautifully detailed as are the CD sleeve and the 12" vinyl. Certainly worth forking out for this limited edition EP.
The tracks themselves are a definite step forward for The Pumpkins. The EP opens up with the rip-roaring track "The Fellowship" which is electronic/rock themed. The blistering synth lines and Corgan's ever-brilliant guitar work, coupled with the addition of Mike Byrne's drumming make a great anthem which proclaims "Are you with us? Or against us?" A strong message to the mixed reviews they have been getting amongst their fanbase as of yet.
"Freak U.S.A" is a more guitar-heavy song. A great, almost light hearted song in the chorus which turns ever so slightly sour in some parts, addressing concerns over American culture. Not my favourite of the five tracks but a great filler-song nonetheless.
"Tom Tom", I have to say is a fantastic feel good song, one I can sing along to and smile (especially with the "Sha-la-la-la's!). The Ep's title track "The Solstice Bare" comes from this song, it has a certain ethereal presence in parts which breaks into melodic, distorted guitars and brings back slight electronic elements in the mid-8.
Probably one of my two favourites is "Spangled". A simple, beautiful love song. It has the lovely, soppy feel of a man talking about the way someone has made them feel. All I can say is: Beautiful.
Finally, the vinyl only track "Cottonwood Symphony" is something I haven't heard of from The Pumpkins. A sweet, ukulele piece featuring falsetto vocals from Corgan. It's certainly an interesting addition of which I have mixed reviews, though a great 'easter egg' to the EP.
Regardless of your opinions of The Smashing Pumpkins, you're bound to find a few elements to this EP that you will love. However I would definitely recommend downloading the free tracks from their website first if you're still unsure of their new material. This along with the other special edition hard copies would perhaps be suited to the fans who are still dedicated to celebrating the music The Smashing Pumpkins are making right now, regardless of who The Smashing Pumpkins were, are and will be.
The tracks themselves are a definite step forward for The Pumpkins. The EP opens up with the rip-roaring track "The Fellowship" which is electronic/rock themed. The blistering synth lines and Corgan's ever-brilliant guitar work, coupled with the addition of Mike Byrne's drumming make a great anthem which proclaims "Are you with us? Or against us?" A strong message to the mixed reviews they have been getting amongst their fanbase as of yet.
"Freak U.S.A" is a more guitar-heavy song. A great, almost light hearted song in the chorus which turns ever so slightly sour in some parts, addressing concerns over American culture. Not my favourite of the five tracks but a great filler-song nonetheless.
"Tom Tom", I have to say is a fantastic feel good song, one I can sing along to and smile (especially with the "Sha-la-la-la's!). The Ep's title track "The Solstice Bare" comes from this song, it has a certain ethereal presence in parts which breaks into melodic, distorted guitars and brings back slight electronic elements in the mid-8.
Probably one of my two favourites is "Spangled". A simple, beautiful love song. It has the lovely, soppy feel of a man talking about the way someone has made them feel. All I can say is: Beautiful.
Finally, the vinyl only track "Cottonwood Symphony" is something I haven't heard of from The Pumpkins. A sweet, ukulele piece featuring falsetto vocals from Corgan. It's certainly an interesting addition of which I have mixed reviews, though a great 'easter egg' to the EP.
Regardless of your opinions of The Smashing Pumpkins, you're bound to find a few elements to this EP that you will love. However I would definitely recommend downloading the free tracks from their website first if you're still unsure of their new material. This along with the other special edition hard copies would perhaps be suited to the fans who are still dedicated to celebrating the music The Smashing Pumpkins are making right now, regardless of who The Smashing Pumpkins were, are and will be.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
16 reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Great! But...
24 Nov 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
Of course, the Pumpkins have given all of these songs out for free on the internet, but this may be worth it for the hard-core fan.
First of all, the boxed set contains a CD of the songs, that's pretty straightforward. The songs are excellent, but you can have a listen for yourself online to make sure its your thing.
The package also contains a vinyl record with the five songs on it. Unlike the vinyl in the first Teargarden EP, this is a relatively high quality pressing. The pictures printed on either side are beautiful, and for me, this thing plays like a champ. The sound is terrific, this record isn't just a pretty picture.
Overall, its well worth it for the uber-fan/collector, for anyone else, just get the songs from the Smashing Pumpkins website when they come out. It's free you know.
First of all, the boxed set contains a CD of the songs, that's pretty straightforward. The songs are excellent, but you can have a listen for yourself online to make sure its your thing.
The package also contains a vinyl record with the five songs on it. Unlike the vinyl in the first Teargarden EP, this is a relatively high quality pressing. The pictures printed on either side are beautiful, and for me, this thing plays like a champ. The sound is terrific, this record isn't just a pretty picture.
Overall, its well worth it for the uber-fan/collector, for anyone else, just get the songs from the Smashing Pumpkins website when they come out. It's free you know.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
A step in the right direction
2 Dec 2010
As a longtime Pumpkins fan, I've always embraced the material as it arrived judged it accordingly after a few listens. Fortunately, the ambitious "Teargarden" project has given fans a chance to absorb the merits and faults of each song long before they are sold as a cohesive unit, or in this case, a series of cohesive units.
Vol. II is obviously a different animal from Vol. I; the latter sounded like a (barebones) outfit finding its voice again, and the results were obviously mixed. However, the songs on this EP showcase a sound that's becoming more dynamic and adventurous. In my opinion, "Tom Tom" is the best track on this EP because it comes the closest to capturing the spirit of the 90's without rehashing it. Also, it's the best track lyrically, which brings me to justify the three star rating. As good as this EP is in terms of sound, it's still struggling in the lyrics department. Anyone who's appreciated at least one Pumpkins album (even the "American Gothic" EP) will know that Billy Corgan crafts strong, thoughtful lyrics for each of his songs. Lately though, his songwriting skills (at least during the time these particular songs were made) have taken a backseat to his multi-tasking in the studio. I can't take anymore "La la las", "Sha la las" or "Ohs", and yes, they crop up frequently on this EP. The words are painfully simple for someone of Corgan's caliber, and as a result, songs like "Freak" are reduced from dynamic rock anthems to half-baked political rants that wouldn't even make the cut on "Zeitgeist".
Fortunately, this EP is the second of 11 forthcoming releases, and with two more members added to the Pumpkins roster, it's probable that the sound (and lyrics) will improve tenfold by the release of the third EP. All-in-all though, this release is definitely a step in the right direction and signals greater things to come. Be sure to listen to the songs via their official website before making your purchase.
Vol. II is obviously a different animal from Vol. I; the latter sounded like a (barebones) outfit finding its voice again, and the results were obviously mixed. However, the songs on this EP showcase a sound that's becoming more dynamic and adventurous. In my opinion, "Tom Tom" is the best track on this EP because it comes the closest to capturing the spirit of the 90's without rehashing it. Also, it's the best track lyrically, which brings me to justify the three star rating. As good as this EP is in terms of sound, it's still struggling in the lyrics department. Anyone who's appreciated at least one Pumpkins album (even the "American Gothic" EP) will know that Billy Corgan crafts strong, thoughtful lyrics for each of his songs. Lately though, his songwriting skills (at least during the time these particular songs were made) have taken a backseat to his multi-tasking in the studio. I can't take anymore "La la las", "Sha la las" or "Ohs", and yes, they crop up frequently on this EP. The words are painfully simple for someone of Corgan's caliber, and as a result, songs like "Freak" are reduced from dynamic rock anthems to half-baked political rants that wouldn't even make the cut on "Zeitgeist".
Fortunately, this EP is the second of 11 forthcoming releases, and with two more members added to the Pumpkins roster, it's probable that the sound (and lyrics) will improve tenfold by the release of the third EP. All-in-all though, this release is definitely a step in the right direction and signals greater things to come. Be sure to listen to the songs via their official website before making your purchase.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Billy Got it right this time
26 Nov 2010
Amazon Verified Purchase
Ok so on this second of the limited sets they really delivered. I'll forgive Billy for that awful vinyl in the first box. The songs are great of course if you like the Smashing Pumpkins. The box itself is really nice looking and good quality. The Vinyl is simply stunning the images on the front and the back sides are both very cool to look at. It is a heavy vinyl with a nice quality gloss image on it. The cd is in a cardboard sleeve but even it has a nice and interesting image on it. All the little details were addressed this time. If you are a big fan and a collector then you need to buy this. I hope Billy continues to keep the future releases with just as much quality. I will have no problem buying them all.
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