By Annie Filer
The Smashing Pumpkins
American Alternative rock band, Chicago-based, formed in 1988
Siamese Dream - Length 62.16
2nd Studio Album
Genres: Alternative Rock, Grunge, Psychedelic rock, Alternative metal
Label Release: July 27, 1993 on Virgin Records
Producer: Butch Vig, Billy Corgan
Siamese Dream is widely regarded one of the best albums of the 1990’s and the best albums of all times. In 2003, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked it number 362 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.
Image: Billy Corgan
Siamese Dreams
The recording of this album was fraught with dysfunction, pain and drugs – the band relocated to Triclops Studios in Marietta, Ga for the album sessions, in hopes to keep away from friends and familiar distractions. It took four months to record and it did help cut off Jimmy Chamberlin from his regular drug connects. As a group, the band was dysfunctional at best and truthfully it’s remarkable that they made it through their creative process to create such an influential and revolutionary album.
This is the album that moved them from college Indie band to breakthrough “mainstream” grunge/Alt rock band. Everyone knew who they were and they were in keeping with the Grunge scene royalty.
Listening to this album, I agree with other people’s opinions that The Smashing Pumpkins may have really transcended what Grunge stood for at that time. They had the remarkable talent to mix multiple musical genres that went far beyond they typical grunge band I am familiar with (please note that I am NOT an expert on grunge music). They took risks that paid off. They somehow got through their dysfunction and created an alternative classic this is recognized by fan and expert alike.
“Today” is the quintessential song of the album (to me anyway). It’s really about Corgan’s worst day of his life – a death in his family and the break-up with his girlfriend. But I’d dare you to find someone who doesn’t sing along with the song and is not touched by the lyrics – although sad, there is hope and promise in the future in those lyrics. Corgan said something to the effect that this song could have been his anthem, but luckily for us it is not – but I do think that this might be the sad psalm for a generation of singers, musicians and/or performers who do die too early
Interesting Factoid:
After The Smashing Pumpkins boke up, Billy Corgan began working with New Order and can be heard on their album, "Get Ready". Corgan recorded backup vocals for the song “Turn My Way” and toured with the band while they were promoting the album. New Order is one of Corgan’s core musical influences.
The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy Corgan - lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitar, bass guitar, String Arrangements, production, mixing
James Iha - lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
D’arcy Wretzky - bass guitar (credited), backing vocals
Jimmy Chamberlin - drums
Additional personnel
Mike Mills – piano on “soma”
Eric Remschneider – string arrangements and cello on “Disarm” and “Luna”
David Ragsdale – string arrangements and violin on “Disarm” and “Luna”
Technical staff
Butch Vig – production, engineering, mixing, string arrangements
Jeff Tomei – engineering
Tim Holbrook – special technical engineering
Howie Weinberg – mastering
Alan Moulder - mixing
Len Peltier – sleeve art direction
Steve J. Gerdes – sleeve design
Melodie McDaniel – sleeve photography
Bob Ludwig – mastering (2011)
Track Listings
"Cherub Rock" – 4:58
“Quiet” – 3:41
“Today” – 3:19
“Hummer” – 6:57
“Rocket” – 4:06
“Disarm” – 3:17
“Soma’ – 6:39 , Corgan and James Iha
“Geek U.S.A.” – 5:13
“Mayonaise” – 5:50, Corgan and James Iha
“Spaceboy” – 4:28
“Silverfuck” – 8:43
“Sweet Sweet” – 1:38
“Luna” – 3:20
The Singles from Siamese Dream
Cherub Rock – released July 13, 1993
Today – released September 30, 1993
Disarm – released March 22, 1994
Rocket – Released 1994
