I was browsing the reviewed list, and i saw that this album hadn't been done, so i thought id give it a go. This is my first review, so if it sucks erm i have an excuse.
The Smashing Pumpkins – Adore
Line up
Billy Corgan – Guitar/Vocals
James Iha – Guitar
D’arcy Wretzky – Bass
Drummer Jimmy Charberlain did not appear on this album, as he was kicked out of the band after his drug problems resulted in the death of the bands touring keyboard player. Instead the band reverted to using a drum machine, as they had done before Jimmy joined.
This album is a departure from the bands previous albums, as it features acoustic guitars and electronic sounds, as opposed to their usual hard rocking songs. This new sound was not accepted by fans, and the band soon went back to their rock roots.
This album is seen as being inferior to their previous works. It certainly didn’t sell as well. I was a little sceptical of the albums direction at first, but came to love it.
1- To Sheila
A beautiful acoustic opener. The song features acoustic guitar, some strings, drums low in the mix and Billy Corgans singing. Billy’s singing seems to be far less chaotic and more in tune on this album, shown perfectly in the first verse of this song. I think the name of this track refers to Billy’s mother, who died just before this album was made. All in all the perfect opener for this album. 4/5
2-Ava Adore
This song shows the electronic elements of this album perfectly, with its synthesised drums and pulsating sythesised guitar riff. The lyrics seem like a twisted take on a love song, which is perfect set against the dark electronica of the track. This is one of my favourite tracks, and was released as a single. 4/5
3-Perfect
This is a very bright sounding pop song. The electronic drums feature heavily in this song, along with a clean guitar part, and some strings. The song sounds extremely positive next to the dark Ava Adore, which could be why I could never get into it as much. Never the less a good track 3/5
4-Daphne Descends
This is my personal favourite track. This song features some great sustained (e-bow?) guitar work from James Iha, as well as acoustic guitar and the electronic drums and other assorted sounds. This song is quite downbeat, with lyrics focussing and love and loss.
4/5
5-Once Upon a Time
One of the albums worse tracks. This song sounds almost medieval, with the intro’s bells and the whistle which is features low in the mix, behind again acoustic guitars and vocals. The lyrics refer to “mother� which could be Billy’s mother. 2/5
6-Tear
A good song, with a great guitar melody featured in the intro and sections between the vocals, which are sung, in the verses, without accompaniment. This song sounds a bit like Daphne Descends, and would be great, but there seems to be something missing in the verse, when the instruments come back in. 3/5
7-Crestfallen
This song starts with a great piano melody, which is joined by vocals and a simple drum beat. This would be a great song, however it seems to drag on a bit, with no real changes in the music. 2/5
8-Apples + Oranjes
A very electronic song, with no acoustic instruments featured. It revolves around a loud drum and synth pulse, which keeps the song moving. The vocals are good, but there is not a lot of variety in the lyrics, which lets it down. 3/5
9-Pug
Another synth led track. This one starts with a dark keyboard and guitar part, then breaks down into a far lighter chorus section. Then its back to the dark keyboards, with more guitar work layered over them. A good track 4/5
10-The Tale of Dusty and Pistol Pete
One of the albums better tracks. This is mostly acoustic guitar and vocals, but it moves along at a good tempo, and sounds quite up beat and happy. More instruments are added in the chorus, which sounds very positive. 4/5
11-Annie Dog
Piano led track, with great vocals. The drums on this sound like an acoustic kit. I enjoyed this track, although it is not one of the best on the album. 3/5
12-Shame
Another of this albums poorer moments. The verses sound great, but I didn’t like the repetitiveness of the chorus. Again the song seemed to drag on, and there was very little variation. 2/5
13-Behold! The Night Mare
This is a spacey song, with phasers swooping around in the background, behind a great vocal part. After the first chorus, the song breaks down into an acoustic guitar part, before a big guitar feedback solo. One of the albums better songs. 4/5
14-For Martha
This is the albums longest track, at just over 8 minutes. This song features some great melodic phrases, especially in the piano and vocals. The guitar solo is also suitably epic sounding. A slow, downbeat song, but one of this albums better moments 4/5
15-Blank Page
This song is a simple piano/vocal affair, featuring some great overlapped singing which gives a nice effect. Not much more than that really. 3/5
16-17
Seventeen seconds of very quiet piano playing. This isn’t really a song, so im not going to rate it.
Overall: An enjoyable cd. It has some great moments and some not so great moments. I wouldn’t recommend it as a first Pumpkins album, but for the bands fans it’s a must have! 3/5
