The post break-up years of the Pumpkins might as well be considered the dark years. Billy has had to endure years of criticism for everything he put out. Zeitgeist was criticized for sounding too much like the original Pumpkins (true story). Teargarden was criticized for being given away for free. I remember reading one review where the writer said that “A Song For A Son” was an excellent song but he hated it because it was made by Billy Corgan. Billy just couldn’t win. But when you listen to the material with a unbias view…it’s surprising how consitant the sound is to the 90s Pumpkins. They may be the only band of their peers who has maintained such a solid hold on their rock roots. Listening to the new reissues back-to-back with stuff like Zeitgeist and Teargarden…there’s a definite kinship to the material…it’s not like Pearl Jam or Stone Temple Pilots who have abandoned the sound that made them who they are. Along those lines, the best thing about the reissues…the reason why we’re here….is that they haven’t done the same thing as the other recent reissues. Billy has fought the loudness war. He didn’t make all the music levels blasted up. The highs are still high and the lows are still low. As criticized as he is for being musical pariah…he sure knows what the hell he is doing.
Here are the 11 Best Songs by Smashing Pumpkins (Post Break-Up):
1. A Song For A Son (Teargarden By Kaleidyscope: Songs For A Sailor)
2. Tarantula (Zeitgeist)
3. Doomsday Clock (Zeitgeist)
4. Freak (Teargarden By Kaleidyscope: The Solstice Bare)
5. The Fellowship (Teargarden By Kaleidyscope: The Solstice Bare)
6. FOL (FOL Single)
7. That’s The Way (Zeitgeist)
8. Lightning Strikes (Teargarden By Kaleidyscope: Vol. 3)
9. 7 Shades of Black (Zeitgeist)
10. G.L.O.W. (Guitar Hero Single)
11. Pox (American Gothic)
Buy the Smashing Pumpkins new reissues Gish & Siamese Dream…now!!