Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
List Price:
Our Price: $14.55
You Save: $3.43 (19%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $1.25 (click here)
Category: Music CD
See more CD details
Buy this Music CD at online store in your country
Canadian Music Store
Canadian Music Store
CD Details
Artist: Smashing PumpkinsBrand: SMASHING PUMPKINS
Edition: Music CD
Format: Explicit Lyrics
CD Release Date: 1993-07-27
Music Label: Virgin Records Us
Soundtracks:
- Cherub Rock
- Quiet
- Today
- Hummer
- Rocket
- Disarm
- Soma
- Geek U.S.A.
- Mayonaise
- Spaceboy
- Silverfuck
- Sweet Sweet
- Luna
Music reviews of Siamese Dream
Music Review: A Smashing Album
Rating: 5 Stars
I think the funniest thing is that when you look at the negative reviews for this album, none of them are on target unless they talk about their already-big hatred for Corgan/The Pumpkins. Also, I saw a review that said this was just "power chords". That has to be the most off-target assessment for the album, EVER. Because being a guitar player myself, sometimes it's hard for me to catch on to Billy Corgan's guitar playing. There is quite a bit of depth here musically and lyrically. Many "emo" bands wish that they could make a record like this: Full of emotion and musical proficiency. I honestly don't think I could find a thing on this album that isn't enjoyable.
The perfect way to start an album? "Cherub Rock". Intro is drumroll and then some octave-like guitar playing (this was hard for me because I didn't know what I was being told to do when I read a tablature for the album) and it totally does rock. Even before that distortion turns it into a wall of sound it is an anthem. One that is a great middle finger to the indie scene of the time.
"Quiet" starts out with some cool guitar sliding and then gets more rockin', a great song with a nice timing and is one of the most simple on the album. However, it's fun to listen to and you can hear the angst in Corgan's vocals.
Then it gets to one of the best songs made ever: "Today". Even after all that time it gets played on the radio it is an amazing song. The intro is one of my favorite intro riffs ever, and while simple is fun to play on guitar. Other than that it is somewhat ironic that he wrote this as his alternative solution to suicide. It's quite the melodic song and became a hit for a good reason. On top of the fact that the music video was so good (I'll get to that on another review). Then it follows into "Hummer" with one of the coolest intros I've heard in a song; its static intro is what makes the song, as well as the melody it gets into. One of the more challenging songs on the record.
Then comes in to "Rocket" which pretty much stands out because of the guitar solo and the cool Boss Octave effect. Its chorus is short yet notable. Then comes into "Disarm", a peacefully song with cello and chimes which shows a great sentimental side of the Pumpkins. It is another one that became a classic. When you think about it, Billy's melody is similar to that on Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here".
Next we get to a relatively soft song that picks up, and was partially penned by James Iha. Wall of sound this is as there was like fourteen guitar tracks in this and it also has Mike Mills of R.E.M. fame on piano in the beginning. Such a heartbreaking song to listen to but also very good. One of the longer songs on "Dream", yet also one that will connect with a lot of listners. Basically, "Geek U.S.A." is the song that represents the album the best. It's kind of like a three-part track; one part just rocks, then the bridge changes up the pace a little bit but is interesting, and then the melody starts to sound familiar with the rest of the album. Then it gets into one of the greatest guitar solos of the '90s, with a great delivery on everything from Corgan and Chamberlin (the drummer, for those who didn't know). Then you get into another one that has music partially written by James Iha, this time in "Mayonaise", which has some of Billy's greatest lyrics possibly ever. Everything about it is a good-structured song and is repeat worth listenings. Then it goes on to a more quiet side with "Spaceboy" which also has that orchestral instrumentation.
The album isn't through with ideas just there. "Silverf**k" has an almost funk-like delivery in the verses but is really a rawking song in its chorus. It's really interesting; perhaps more than the rest of the record. Almost nine minutes but it won't be too hard for you to get into, either. Then it kind of gets happier in its last two songs: "Sweet, Sweet" and "Luna". The former is very simple and short, while the latter is similar in instruementation to "Disarm" (but more happy as stated before), another song full of emotion and everything in a track that is supposed to be good. I don't think I'd need to tell you that it's great for you to know it; even just listening to the samples will make you think of why this record connects with as many people as it does. I don't find it the least bit overrated.
After listening to the record you will find out that complaining about Corgan's ego is just stupid because his music more than makes up for that (although I am admittedly a biased fan and didn't think his quotes I've read were overtly so). Besides, what matters more is what you get. It's one of those cases where the album sales actually reflect the quality of the album. Nixing out the grunge influence of "Gish" and further expanding on wall-of-sound guitar delivery and a good mix between the heavy and soft is what you will get on "Siamese Dream". Your record collection is not complete without it. Also, listen to "Gish" and "Siamese Dream" because I guarantee you that you won't mind Corgan's vocals. They sound real on-key and melodic here. Not as much of a band effort as other efforts but still worth listening to.
Description of Siamese Dream
One of the most influential albums of the 90'sRemastered & Reissued for the First Time.
Includes "Today," "Disarm," and "Cherub Rock"
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
Alternative Rock CDs
Music Genres
Bestsellers in Alternative Rock CDs
Bouncing Souls - Maniacal LaughterRelease date: 1996-01-26; Music CD
Best price: $30.00
Blondie - Parallel LinesRelease date: 1994-07-29; Music CD
Best price: $397.77
Doors - L.A. WomanRelease date: 1993-04-09; Music CD
Best price: $199.99
Amon Duul - Phallus DeiRelease date: 1997-04-08; Music CD
Price in other shops:
Tangerine Dream - MelroseRelease date: 1990-10-02; Music CD
Best price: $74.98
Tangerine Dream - Private Music of Tangerine DreamRelease date: 1992-11-10; Music CD
Best price: $8.00
Price in other shops:
![Ska Explosion [VHS] Image](/images/Ska-Explosion-VHS-6303381014-X.jpg){kind=small}
Ska Explosion [VHS]Cleopatra; Release date: 1995-02-28; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
![Little Earthquakes [VHS] Image](/images/Little-Earthquakes-VHS-6302488664-X.jpg){kind=small}
Little Earthquakes [VHS]Atlantic / Wea; Release date: 1992-11-10; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.00
Price in other shops:
Exileby Geoffrey Oryema
Music CD
Best price: $4.95
![Louder Than Live [VHS] Image](/images/Louder-Than-Live-VHS-6301627865-X.jpg){kind=small}
Soundgarden - Louder Than Live [VHS]A&M Video; Release date: 1991-07-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Similar CDs
Nirvana - MTV Unplugged in New YorkRelease date: 1994-11-01; Published: 1994; Music CD
Best price: $6.01
Price in other shops:
Nirvana - Bleach (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)Release date: 2009-11-03; Music CD
Best price: $10.05
Price in other shops:
Can - Tago Mago: 40th Anniversary EditionRelease date: 2011-11-15; Music CD
Best price: $12.76
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - Machina: The Machines of GodRelease date: 2000-02-29; Music CD
Best price: $4.77
Price in other shops:
The Smiths - The Smiths CompleteRelease date: 2011-10-18; Music CD
Best price: $45.05
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - Teargarden By Kaleidyscope Vol. II "The Solstice Bare"Release date: 2010-11-22; Music CD
Best price: $19.53
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - Pisces IscariotRelease date: 1994-10-04; Music CD
Best price: $9.49
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - ZeitgeistRelease date: 2007-07-10; Published: 2007-07-06; Music CD
Best price: $3.77
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - GishRelease date: 2011-11-29; Music CD
Best price: $18.99
Price in other shops:
Smashing Pumpkins - Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadnesspostersultan; Release date: 1995-10-24; Music CD
Best price: $12.98
Price in other shops: