Just wondered if there are any fellow Smashing Pumpkins fans on here and if any of them are going to the shows next year??

I'm a newbie to their stuff myself. The only track of theirs I knew was The End Is The Beginning Is The End, and of course The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning, but only because they bookended the soundtrack to the film Batman & Robin...a bizarre CD I picked up years ago!! But I saw them play Live Earth on TV back in July and I was blown away by their new track United States. What an amazing tune!! And the band looked awesome on stage, Chamberlain looked pumped on drums, and Billy cut a startling image at the front of the stage!!

So far I've only been downloading random tracks (and I'm hoping to get a few of their albums for Xmas) so if anyone has any pointers as to which of their stuff to pick up, that would be cool. Got tickets to see them at the 02 in February and can't wait!!!!!

Their best album is Siamese Dream by a mile. It's absolutely marvellous and the production is perfect. Mellon Collie was is their most successful album but for me it's way too inconsistent and i think you might find it a little daunting to get into as there's 28 songs. IMO i would start with Siamese Dream and then pick up Machina. It shows Corgan as a terrific songwriter with a great sense of melody then go for Mellon Collie. I thought Zeitgeist (their latest) suffered from the production side of things. There were some good songs it just sounded one note. I would definitely pick it up if you're going to see them though as they'll no doubt play a few songs from it. If you've not heard Tarantula yet get it as it's no doubt the heaviest thing they've ever recorded. Forget the greatest hits album though as it's a mess and doesn't really give you any sense of what the band is about.

In this order i would get

1. Siamese Dream(Essential!)
2. Machina (Underrated, some great songs)
3. Mellon Collie (patchy but often great)
4. Zeitgeist(put this second if you're going to see them this feb)
5. Adore (Mostly electronic and a little samey. Several classic songs however)
6. Gish (It's not aged that well, some good songs, production is tinny though)

Theres also Machina 2 which is a double album of stuff from the Machina era which the band released online. Then there's so many b sides, Over 100 i think! You've got a lot to listen to!
[Edited 12/18/07 9:55am]
[Edited 12/18/07 10:03am]

I like their older stuff. Mellon Collie & Infinante Sadness is still an awesome album!
And sometimes I feel like Bullet with Butterfly Wings is my theme song

Siamese Dreams is indeed essential. Still play it now and then and every song is strong.

An absolutely fantastic band, definitely one of the better bands of the 90´s.
Siamese dream and Mellon Collie are absolute must haves, Adore is one which divides peoples opinion, but it is one of my personal favourites.

I would love to see them at the O2 but it is unlikely that I will have the time. An odd piece of trivia about the band is that Wendy Melvoins brother Jonathan toured with the band as keyboardist in 1996, However, this ended in tragedy as he died of a drug overdose which resulted in Jimmy Chamberlain being fired from the band for his involvement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w...g_Pumpkins

He you will find tons of info regarding the band, and I am sure you will have many hours music listening to do as well

RIGHT. HERE!

And I agree, Siamese Dream is absolute magic. Nothing before or since can ever touch it. And lets not forget Pisces Iscariot!
[Edited 12/18/07 12:27pm]

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

"Starla", played loud

LittleSmedley said:

O. M. G.!!!!!

I have the craziest stories connected to Siamese Dream and Pisces Iscariot. Those albums hold an extremely special place in my heart

I'm a fan and I think I own most of their albums but probably don't play them all that often. Barely spun "Zeitgiest" and Best Buy is pissing me off with all those rereleases of it!

thekidsgirl said:

Despite all my rage Im still just a rat in a cage
Then someone will say what is lost can never be saved
Despite all my rage Im still just a rat in a cage
And I still believe that I cannot be saved

Thanks for the info guys 'n' girls....I'll be heading down to HMV at lunch methinks!

I revisit Siamese Dream from time to time and am always blown away by how gut-wrenching and beautiful is. That record is one emotional experience - my favorite is 'Soma'

Siamese and Pisces are the only ones you really need, IMO