Mandatory Music and CD-Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins

Siamese Dream Review by Greg Prato

While Gish
had placed the Smashing Pumpkins on the "most promising artist" list
for many, troubles were threatening to break the band apart.
Singer/guitarist/leader Billy Corgan
was battling a severe case of writer's block and was in a deep state of
depression brought on by a relationship in turmoil; drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was addicted to hard drugs; and bassist D'Arcy and guitarist James Iha severed their romantic relationship. The sessions for their sophomore effort, Siamese Dream, were wrought with friction -- Corgan
eventually played almost all the instruments himself (except for
percussion). Some say strife and tension produces the best music, and it
certainly helped make Siamese Dream one of the finest alt-rock albums
of all time. Instead of following Nirvana's
punk rock route, Siamese Dream went in the opposite direction -- guitar
solos galore, layered walls of sound courtesy of the album's producers (Butch Vig and Corgan),
extended compositions that bordered on prog rock, plus often reflective
and heartfelt lyrics. The four tracks that were selected as singles
became alternative radio standards -- the anthems "Cherub Rock,"
"Today," and "Rocket," plus the symphonic ballad "Disarm" -- but as a
whole, Siamese Dream proved to be an incredibly consistent album. Such
compositions as the red-hot rockers "Quiet" and "Geek U.S.A." were
standouts, as were the epics "Hummer," "Soma," and "Silverfuck," plus
the soothing sounds of "Mayonaise," "Spaceboy," and "Luna." After the
difficult recording sessions, Corgan
stated publicly that if Siamese Dream didn't achieve breakthrough
success, he would end the band. He didn't have to worry for long -- the
album debuted in the Billboard Top Ten and sold more than four million
copies in three years. Siamese Dream stands alongside Nevermind and Superunknown as one of the decade's finest (and most influential) rock albums.

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