Siamese Dream

Sometimes I wonder how they achieved popularity in the radio era. On bad speakers there’s some guitar tinnitus - the rhythm guitar plays a drone note with only subtle changes and restrums leading to a a constant minimum sound all other parts have to beat. When you are able to catch those subtleties, songs get much more bounce and an almost “shoegaze” layering of sound that allows for everything to have room. It really cannot be appreciated to its fullest with small speakers or at low volume.

The Smashing Pumpkins had one of the stronger runs of any group in the 90s (before“they” disappeared right up “their” own ass) and I don’t think I ever hear anybody who isn’t a critic talk about it. Some of that is through no fault of the band but most of it owes to one William Patrick “Billy Pumpkins” “‘90s Morrissey” Corgan being like the biggest dick head in music (non-actual-criminal division) and doing shit like spending the last 30 years complaining about that one time Pavement was mean to him. In regard to the parts that are not the band's fault, there is a weird tendency to lump them in with the 90s post-Nirvana also-rans of the world, which is odd to me. They're not particularly pulling from the same influences and, whereas it was trendy in the 90s to be apathetic, Billy Corgan is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an apathetic person. It's hard to be aloof when you're so whiny. The laziest folks in the world will jump to point to Butch Vig's production of this album as evidence of the Nirvana coattail riding, despite Vig having also produced The Smashing Pumpkins' wonderful debut album, Gish, which came out 4 months before Nevermind. Billy Corgan will never let anyone forget this as long as he draws breath, but it's one of the few legitimate grievances he has with the world. Anyway, sonically we are cribbing from a neat mishmash. Billy loved him some shoegaze at this time and you can hear the influence of My Bloody Valentine and the Jesus and Mary Chain in the heavy distortion and vocal stylings. That's the biggest thing here but there's also some Black Sabbath in the riffs, some Queen in the bombastic arrangements, a sprinkle of The Cure and Prince in the production, and, very unfortunately, Rush, from whom elements of "Cherub Rock" were very blatantly lifted. This is a testament to the greatness of The Smashing Pumpkins because "Cherub Rock" is amazing while Rush is the musical equivalent of a 12 page single spaced book report about the ingredients on the back of a box of graham crackers. The production of this album was a bit of a nightmare. Billy wrote the songs in tandem with therapy sessions while dealing with suicidal ideation, which really comes through in songs like "Today." He also composed one of the most beautiful songs ever written and called it "Mayonaise." (Sic) James Iha and D'arcy Wretzky were in the midst of a breakup while recording and apparently had to be kept apart--the dysfunction led Billy Corgan to pull the legendary dick move of personally re-recording the bass and guitar parts. Iha and Wretzky are both credited on the album, but apparently neither of them actually play. Elsewhere, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was staying true to his jazz roots by hitting rock bottom in his heroin addiction and disappearing for days on end. He also refused to use a click track when recording his parts and, yet, he's still the best goddamn part of this album. There’s a reason the drum roll on “Cherub Rock” is the first sound you hear on this record. I always see Jimmy called the Smashing Pumpkins' "secret weapon," which just isn't true when everyone in the world is saying it. Can you really be underrated when literally everyone with ears agrees that you're amazing? My question now to myself is whether this album is better than Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness, and I think it is. While Siamese Dream doesn't quite reach the same highs ("1979" has been my favorite song for as long as I have had a favorite song), it is also dramatically more consistent and doesn't suffer from the bloat of being 2 hours long. Remarkably in my travels, I’ve managed to come across a piece of writing that I feel perfectly sums up the Smashing Pumpkins experience. The following is an excerpt from an article (about Soundgarden) that originally ran in Spin in April of 1994 and which I think is a perfect microcosm of the Smashing Pumpkins. I have lightly edited the excerpt for clarity. “In the lobby bar of one of the tallest hotels, [Chris] Cornell and [Kim] Thayil are settling back with a couple of beers when Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins wanders through, and decides to join them for a strawberry margarita. Corgan chatters about the pain of his life, the supposed incompetence of his band (everybody rolls their eyes), the lifesaving virtues of Jungian therapy, bands that suck. Cornell gets up to leave. Corgan tells Thayil how important Soundgarden used to be to him, and he baits him by saying that the Pumpkins sometimes do a cover of Soundgarden’s “Outshined” that segues into a Depeche Mode song or something. “I’m think of making my next album really new wave,” Corgan says, “like ’83-’84 new wave, not like Berlin. I spend all my time doing things that may be a bit tangential, but I think I’m going to go back to the core, the heart music. Echo and the Bunnymen.” This is standard stuff to anybody who has read even a single Billy Corgan profile, the basic curriculum of Pumpkins 101. But Thayil isn’t buying. He’s sore. “Don’t you see,” Thayil says, “you’re this incredibly talented guy. People like your music. You have a good band. You sell a lot of records. You don’t need all this…stuff.” “What sign are you?” Corgan asks. “What do you mean, what sign am I?” Thayil says. “What difference could that possibly make?” “C’mon,” wheedles Corgan, “when is your birthday?” “All right, goddamn it: September 4th.” “Aha!” Corgan says. “A Virgo. You’re argumentative.” “Damn right, I’m argumentative,” Thayil says, and takes a long, angry pull at his beer, “which you should know because I’ve been arguing with you for half an hour, not because of any sign.” “I’m a Pisces,” Corgan replies. “We pick up on those things.” A minute later, Corgan, still probing, finally finds the key to Thayil’s heart: “I hate how in magazine pictures, they always stick me somewhere in the back.” Thayil explodes: “What do you mean? You write all the songs, and you do all the interviews. You play the instruments on the album. You control the band to the extent that most people think of Smashing Pumpkins as the Billy Corgan Experience, and all you care about is some photography?” “But I hate it,” Corgan says, “it means they don’t think I’m the cute one.” “Ooh,” Thayil says a little too loudly as Corgan walks away, “I’ll bet he’s going to call his therapist in Chicago, wake her up at four in the morning, and tell her about that big, mean bear who made fun of him.” The next day at the Big Day Out festival, Thayil is talking to Kim and Kelley Deal in the Breeders’ dressing room when Corgan walks past wearing a long-sleeved Superman T-shirt like the one your four-year-old nephew probably owns. “You hurt me deeply,” Corgan says, touching the giant S on his chest and pouting. “You hurt me deeply in my heart.” The Pumpkins go on to play the best set anybody has ever heard them play…” In sum, Billy sucks, but the Smashing Pumpkins deliver.

This is between a 4 and 4.5 to me, but I do think it is a classic album, both in rock and grunge and influenced many other artists as well due to the breadth on the album. I think it is Smashing Pumpkins' best album but also just one that has something for almost anyone.

I feel like a lot of millenials and younger folk assume us Gen X'ers were rocking out to Nirvana and maybe Pearl Jam on repeat in the early 90s. We sort of were, but for me and my kin we were primarily obsessed with Siamese Dream, the absolute greatest rock album of the 90s. Even better than I remember, 10 out of 5 stars.

10

In love with this album. The opener is not just a brilliant song but also a way of setting out who they are that is just so them. Grunge at its finest.

Possibly a 4.5 but I like a lot of the songs and would relisten

I forgot how much I love this band!!!

Just wow… Great song one after another, just so raw and visceral sounding at some points and so haunting and dreamy. Loved every moment. 5 out of 5

This is an easy one. This album was on constant repeat for all of 93/94 for me. One need only hear second half of Hummer, Mayonaise, or Silverf*** to understand my score. Spaceboy is a bonus. Bravo. 5/5

I’m stuck between a 4 and 5 on this one, it’s close on the edge. Amazing feel and vibes, love the dream pop shoe gaze

Masterpiece, can not seperate form the mountain of nostalgia I have with this album, but it is track for track incredible! 5 Heard before? Oh yes Owned: Yes: 23/1001, 23/94 (24%) Will I get? Have multiple times

More awesome tracks than I remember.

Just for that one part in Mayonnaise alone.

I've listened to this album several times, but I'll gladly listen again. Some of the best of 90s alt rock and one of the best albums of the Smashing Pumpkins catalog, second only to Mellon Collie. Cherub Rock, Today, Rocket, Mayonaise, Disarm; this album is loaded front to back with excellent songs.

Great album. No further explanation needed.

10/10 not a single skip. This has always been my favorite SP album. Soma and Mayonnaise always at max volume.

Otimo Album!

Solid songwriting, performance and production.

I only ever listened to 'Today' and I'm glad the rest of the album lives up to it. Really satisfying hooks, some filthy guitar licks, that 90s aesthetic. Mwah! Brilliant album.

I do really enjoy this album, but kind of got burnt out from all the radio hits back when it was new. I much prefer side 2.

Easily Smashing Pumpkins best album, the guitar tones are nasty and perhaps the best I've ever heard.

One of the 3 best albums to come out of the 90’s (OK Computer, Jagged Little Pill). Easy 5 stars.

A new favourite! Listened to it before a first date. Danced in the apartment and listened to it on the way to the bar.

Punk, Alternative, Buttrock, Shoegaze, Metal, and some other stuff all mixed together perfectly. Billy and his "band" of glorified hired guns lay it all on the table and mine gold.

I've not listened to much grunge before, but this was absolutely fantastic. What a great album

Easy 5 stars. Was already a favourite

GOAT

Love it. Melancholy but energetic

One of the best

Love it

One of the best Rock Albums ever made

Et av mine favoritt album❤️

This will always stand out as one of The Smashing Pumpkins’ best albums. What really sets it apart is Butch Vig’s production. He masterfully brought out that layered sound, balancing the dense wall of distorted guitars with Billy Corgan’s somewhat lazy, whispering vocal style. It’s that interplay between the dreamlike atmosphere and the heaviness of the guitars that makes this album so special. When it came out, it was a breath of fresh air, offering something unique and refreshing at the time.

SICK!!!!! Ale mi się ten vibe podoba

It’s a banger

One of the best rock albums out there. Lush and exhilerating.

5 stars before I even listened- it's a George All Timer

haven't had too many songs of late to add to the Gems Playlist - but along comes this BELTER! Cherub Rock, Today, Rocket, Disarm, Mayonnaise My goodness what an album and a talent this band is (yes... still!)

Some excellent bangers in here! There were some parts where it dipped for me, but this was a great listen overall.

Amazing the whole way through

- This is a fantastic album - All of the songs are great amazing mixing - there were a ton of slow and sweet songs that were awesome - and there were a ton of songs with a lot of noise - it wasnt jarring going from the different songs

Love this one. One of the best of the 90s - better than anything from Nirvana (sorry not sorry).

I liked this before but listening to it again now... Amazing. No skips.

Holy shit where have you been all my life. I loved basically every song on this record.

A very important album for my musical socialization. Five stars.

Half Sonic Youth, half Nirvana, 100% 90s angst. Have a nostalgia for a couple of these tracks from the Guitar Hero days and from drunken background-listening at early-20s house parties, but really the whole album has held up incredibly well in every aspect. fav songs: Today, Disarm, Quiet, Soma, Geek U.S.A.

One of the greats, though I always end up dropping off toward the end. Still, so many bangers on here it has to be rated highly

One of the best intros to an album that I can recall and an overall fantastic, fantastic album. 10/10

One of the best albums of the '90s. Great production, great sound, great instrumentation. Billy Corgan's voice may turn off some, but his style works great with what he's trying to do here, and if you don't get it, then you just don't get it. Disarm and Mayonnaise are two of the best songs of the decade, and the rest of the tracks are all quite strong. Siamese Dream works great as an album, but the songs are also great if listened to individually, as well.

Wow!!! I can’t believe this album came up just before seeing Smashing Pumpkins live in Osaka on September 21, 2025! Siamese Dream has been one of those albums I’ve kept coming back to over the years. Heavy, metallic riffs crash against melodies that stick in my head forever. I especially love “Quiet” and “Mayonaise.” Timeless.

Come for the epic riffs and incomparable lush yet crunchy guitar sounds, stay for the hauntingly nostalgic songwriting.

Some real nostalgia listening through Siamese Dream. Awesome sound, love these guys. Easy 5 stars from me

A perfect classic. This album always brings me back to my youth.

Awesome. Grunge but such good vibes, positive cord progressions.

Disarm, Today, Cherub Rock, Luna, Silverfuck

Fun like The Presidents of the United States of America, smooth like The Smiths, emotional like The Backseat Lovers; I love it.

So, so good. As good today as it was back in the day. Probably deserves more than 5 stars but my hands are tied there.

A true masterpiece. The right band at the right time with a complex and beautifully structured album. Each song is layered with soaring guitars and heartfelt lyrics and seem to balance the hard and soft elements with ease. Too many great songs to choose a favourite. Smashing!

Quite a thing of beauty.

everything about it was perfect

Siamese Dream is great. I don't need to build up to saying that. I can just say it and it'll all make sense immediately. What's there to say? Of course, this is not my first encounter with the Smashing Pumpkins. I did get Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness a little over a year ago and loved it. However, that album had a bit of a problem holding it back. It's long. Very long, as a matter of fact. Don't get me wrong, those 2 hours are utilized well. However, it can still be a bit draining to listen to 2 hours of the Smashing Pumpkins. Fortunately, with only 1 hour to its length, Siamese Dream is an album that I have no problem calling a masterpiece. This album is all killer, no filler. This thing is incredibly consistent. From the disgruntled energy of the opener "Cherub Rock," to the hazy somberness of "Today," to the franticness of "Geek U.S.A.," this album impresses the ears over and over. I love the way the album sounds. It's just so cool. Whether the guitars are intense and crunchy or soft and elegant, the emotions are always captured in a memorable song. Speaking of emotions, boy does this album have them. Billy Corgan may be a bit of an asshole with a weird voice, but he knows how to write a song. Songs like the aforementioned "Today" and "Mayonaise" really work wonders to make the album feel special. For the record, I don't have a problem with Billy Corgan's voice on this album. It works well for the songs in question. There's not much more to say. Though it is possible to find some, I find it hard to find many 90s alt-rock albums better than Siamese Dream. This thing is excellent. 5/5.

Definitely on my top 100 albums

Fantastic, big fan.

5/5 all time grunge era masterpiece can listen to this endlessly

Geil! Das Album ist ab dem ersten Song ein Juwel der Rockgeschichte.

Beautiful epic album. The big hits are timeless but every other track is equal in merit. The production is also very good.

This album rocks and no recent history changes that. Funny that Cherub Rock has become my favorite over the years.

Against my better judgment and all I know now about the megalomaniacal turdburglar Billy Corgan, I'm going to give this my first five-star review. This album rules. When "Cherub Rock" closed Episode 5 of Alien: Earth I actually got the chills.

Far better than I was expecting. I remember being exposed to TSP in my late teens and early twenties maybe I listened to later iterations of the band's sound and missed this specifically. I did like them, but personally never fully engaged. They have a very unique take on alternative, heavy-ish rock, and they’re adept at transitioning carefully between the high and low points. This prevents the music from becoming fatiguing or lacking in dynamic range. “Hummer,” for example, features some lovely rolling drums paired with high guitar plucks, perfectly isolated to create a distinctive and careful end to the song. Some of their sound reminds me of The Stone Roses, who may have been active around a similar time. “Rocket” is a great showcase of this, with its metronomic guitar and drum foundation, complemented by the addition of well injected synth. Again, highlights their variation across songs, while still remaining coherent with what came before. I think with the vocals and better variety beats the Stone Roses. As an album especially smashes SR. "Soma" just turns the concept on its head with its slow deliberate dyfunctional pained start. It was almost touching in feel then lets you feel the pain as the song goes on. Probably my favourite and just captured so many great sounds along the way. In conclusion a fantastic album. Deft, careful and heavy in equal measure. So pleased to have re-connected with the band in this way. Sorry for long review had to listen more than 3 times to be sure it was worthy of the fantasic 5! The length of the album nearly becoming a prohibitive point. If they filtered out the odd song and consolidated I might have come to the conclusion quicker.

An album with a punchy sound from the first track. Production quality is great and manages to capture the distortion and big sound whilst retaining clarity and snappiness (2011 remaster). The singing has the classic American rock star drawl which I sometimes find annoying but is kept under just enough control to not count against it. The best thing about this album is the tone of the guitars. Every riff sounds warm and velvety and when the distortion hits, it hits with satisfying meaty heft. It's an excellent album and there is very little room for improvement within it's genre.

What a fantastic composition. I don’t think I liked smashing pumpkins when I was younger as much, but I really feel this album has aged well.

Really solid and "Mellon Collie" it doesn't drag on forever and forever. 9/10

Takes me back to high school.

I was too young, so I have no nostalgia for these songs. They're bangers though. 4.5.

Jeg har aldri vært sånn blodfan av Smashing Pumpkins (bortsett fra at 1979 på Liberty Rock Radio om (in game) natta er peak gaming), men har satt på denne med ujevne mellomrom de siste par årene, og har fått skikkelig sansen for denne skiva i hvert fall. Nå opplever jeg jevnlig perioder hvor jeg må høre Mayonaise 3-4 ganger på rappen. (Varmer igjen opp til skiva med å blaste Mayonaise et par ganger.) Fy faen for en låt. Sår, med Corgans distinkte vokal, og det mest fantastisk cheesy, gjentagende partiet: when I can [wheeee!] I will. Ellers da. Helt fantastisk fuzz gjennom hele skiva, gøye riff, lengtende og melankolsk vokal. Oser av teen angst og en higend etter noe mer. Ville vært et perfekt soundtrack for ungdomstiden, men funker nå som et slags soundtrack for ungdomstiden i tilbakeblikk. Beveger seg også inn i noise rock territorium med låter som Silverfuck; en noenlunde experimentell, progressive jam som raskt veksler mellom langstrakte, moody partier, og mosh-vekkende aggresjon. Det er synd at det er Today som ofte dras frem av låtene til Pumpkins, for det er imo. et av skivas svakeste spor og litt av grunnen til at jeg sov på dette albumet i flere år. Litt for lang, men ikke like for lang som Mellon Collie. Fuck it: fem av fem krukker mayonaise. Jeg er generøs i dag.

Det føles som Smashing Pumpkins har eksistert i et parallelt univers som jeg har vært klar over, hatt muligheten til å dra til, men bare tidvis har benyttet meg av muligheten til. Selv om jeg nesten aldri har vært her så føles ting kjent, som om jeg har tilbragt hele ungdomstiden min her. Men albumet er ikke bare Nøkken i tjernet som skal lokke meg ned i dypet med lovnader om deilig nostalgi. Jeg trodde det skulle være en kjip grungeplate, men det er deilige avbrudd med psych, shoegaze og til og med metal. Det ga rett og slett mersmak Mine høydepunkter er "Today" (sue me), "Cherub Rock", "Mayonaise" og hvis jeg ville iscenesatt meg selv som en kul fyr på nachspiel: "Spaceboy".

Jeg er født tre år etter at denne skiva kom ut. Jeg har aldri hørt på en smashing pumpkins plate, vet ikkenoe noen av vennene mine har det. Allikevel er dette soundtracket til barndommen min. Jeg blir dratt tilbake. Slik føles denne plata. Dette var også en overraskende intrikat, kreativ og godt arrangert plate. Mine fordommer mot smashing pumpkins var at det var et ganske streit grunge band med noen bangers her og der, men dette er så mye mer enn bare grunge!

Pumpkins at their finest. Rich, layered, filled with emotion. The guitars are masterful. Actually, all the musicianship is elite. This record has a little more polish than Gish, but it feels just as raw and fresh. Decade-defining for sure. People talk about Nirvana and Pearl Jam as grunge-defining bands, but the Smashing Pumpkins were right there too, and arguably, the music is more complex and creative. For me, it's the balance of the raw grungy emotion and the artistic precision of the writing and music. This album sounds sooo good, and incidentally it ROCKS! A true masterpiece. 5 of 5.

The most outstanding and the greatest work of The Smashing Pumpkins. The album is full of underrated songs, such as "Hummer", "Silverfuck" and others. It also includes the best song The Smashing Pumpkins have ever made — "Mayonnaise", that is both powerful and soulful (as the whole album is!). I have even used the lines from it as my quote in the graduation yearbook. Unpopular opinion: Siamese Dream is BETTER than Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, especially if you compare them as whole pieces, and not by the number of great songs included.

I never particularly enjoyed a Smashing Pumpkins album before or after this one. Siamese Dream was really their one masterpiece. Gish is fine.

The Smashing Pumpkins are one of my favorite 90s bands. Billy Corgan’s voice is so expressive. I love the contrast between his vocal angst and softness along with the contrast between his vocals and the instrumentation. The songwriting is poetic and dreamy while the rhythms are raw and heavy. It’s nearly a perfect album for me save for Silverfuck, but I’m rounding my actual 4.5 rating up to a 5 because the rest of the album is just that good and the cover is iconic.

All time. Time all.

Looooove this album, one of my favorite songs is on it plus many other great ones

memories

Soooo many great songs on this album! A guitar masterpiece, and songwriting epic!

I kind of expected this to be a good album just based off of the fact that I've heard some stuff by The Smashing Pumpkins before. This album exceeded my expectations; I enjoyed every song. It's just amazing alt-rock. 10/10

Still one of my all time favourite albums. Every song incredible.

So damn good.

A gem!!

It still slaps.

Gives a little bit Green Day vibes. Great listening when worrking

Listened to it twice. Mucho Gusto

Fantastic. Disarm, Geek USA, and Silverfuck have entered my playlist rotation.

Legends

Great album, with several different musical styles. Paul at the peak of his songwriting ability.

What an absolute classic.

Super album of the nineties

Siamese Dream is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in its style. The band never managed to recapture that same burst of energy and emergency which feels spontaneous but was actually painstakingly crafted by Corgan layering dozens of guitars and by Chamberlin dense and groovy drumming. By far the band’s best work, a unique mix of melancholy and the searing intensity of guitar saturation, and, to me, one of the finest and most recognizable alternative rock albums ever made. I might not be entirely honest, because this album is clearly part of the soundtrack of my teenage years …but fuck it, especially after all the shit we had in this list #Eno #Frodoandhisband #fucking80spop.

Wow! Listened to this about a year ago and it didn't really resonate with me - saved 2 songs. Skip forward a year later and I saved all but 2 songs on the album. Maybe my music taste is expanding, maybe I didn't give it a proper listen first time, but wow! I know this album is very popular on RYM (and that's indeed how I found it originally), which sometimes can be a bad thing, but turns out I was wrong. Bought this in Tokyo but gifted to COG. Will have to buy afresh. 5*

Hell yeah. The Smashing Pumpkins rule. I've listened to most of this album in pieces, but never straight through. I'll tell you what, this fuckin rips. Front to back each track just hits. Outside the popular tracks, Silverfuck stands out to me. A nearly 9 minute face melting track that gets the blood pumping. Billy Corgan and the crew know what's up. Definitely one of the best albums of the 90's. Favorites: - Cherub Rock - Today - Disarm - Geek U.S.A. - Mayonaise - Silverfuck

Dreamy as fuck

Riktigt bra - men gillar denna genren.

Smashing Pumpkins are a band that is here to stay. Lyrical and raw music that is original and stands on its own. Only thing better than listening to Smashing Pumpkins in whatever format suits you, is seeing the band perform live. Easily makes the cut as being one of the greatest blended hard core albums of all times.

⭐️

This back to back w selling England was magical. Another incredible album. I’d cut silverfuck in half but besides that it doesn’t lull for a long album. Soma remains the best song ever

Back 2 back smash hits with smashing pumpkins and Genesis. Mayonnaise is that girl when it comes to wall of sound guitar rock as it punches you in the face with like… idk cool sadness. Bang.

I need to listen to more Smashing Pumpkins Tracks to Track: Disarm

Great record that was fun to revisit after a mediocre first impression.

Damn full blown slapper

Fire

I actually listened to this twice and wasn't upset about it

Lots of great songs on this album but Disarm might be one of the best songs by anyone ever

I was in jr high and high school when the Pumpkins were popular. I appreciated some of their singles but never really delved into listening a full album of theirs. But I was happy to listen to this...Cherub Rock and Rocket are awesome, Today is a classic. Disarm isn't the whiny emo crap I remembered it being through my teenage lens. I'll also say that Billy Corgan's voice sucks for the most part...I can't understand half the shit he's singing about, especially on Cherub Rock and Rocket...does that stop me from enjoying it somehow? No. I can't explain it. This album is a masterpiece. I get it now.

One of the biggest albums to come out of the '90s is definitely a work of art

This is everything I love in an album... soaring guitars, dreamy distortion, and unforgettable melodies that make it an iconic listen.

One of my favorite bands. Underrated drumming!

One of the best Alternative Rock Albums

Just like Mellon collie but better and more soothing

Silverfuck.

This is back when music meant something. It was art. One of the greatest rock albums of all time. In my personal top 50.

This album is close to perfect. One of the defining sounds of 90s alternative rock.

The undersung record of the 90s.

A pleasure to listen to this in it's entirety, 90s gold 👑

Not a true “no-skips” album because Silverfuck exists, but otherwise basically perfect. If I made a list of my 100 favorite songs, I wouldn’t be surprised if Today, Disarm, Soma, and Mayonaise all made it. Easy 5.

great album loved it love listening to it during minecraft

One of the best albums of the 90s, and one of the best guitar tones ever

Der er ikke meget der inkapsler 90erne som distored guitar og Billy Corgans næsten klynkende stemme. Jeg elsker hvert sekund af det.

Exceptional album

classic album, the guitars are complex and layered and the production is excellent. always a great listen.

Bon disc!

Amazing album!

I listened to this album a lot when it was first released. It's still nice to revisit it and relive college.

I really love this record. This and Gish are the Smashing Pumpkins at their best before they went off the rails.

8/10. Very good alternative album

a 4.5 rounded up to a 5 because i so rarely give them out. gosh, i enjoyed this. billy corgan might be a dick but god damn does he know how to write an album. the pristine, sparkling Disarm nestled among all this sludgy muck (which, to be clear, i enjoyed) makes it even more beautiful. really cool that you can see the more ambitious elements that would lay the groundwork for mellon collie here, especially in the 9 minute song. you have to hand it to them... the pretension is earned.

Great album, glad to see it on the list. I knew a few tracks from here already, and the rest of it ranged from good to fine. This is Billy "William P. Corgan" Corgan in his element, penning some excellent 90s alt rock tunes and lyrics that flirt with elements of grunge while still remaining accessible to anyone. today and disarm are two of the best songs smashing pumpkins ever made, and would easily rank in my list of best 90s songs. willy p definitely has more than a few screws loose and i truly feel for the rest of his bandmates having to put up with his insanity, but this album sure holds up 30+ years later. favorites: cherub rock, today, disarm, mayonaise

Grungy ; dark

90s alternative reverb glory.

Amazing alt-rock/grunge album. Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm, Soma, Geek USA, and Mayonaise are all fantastic. It's full of heavily layered bass and guitars and interesting drum rhythms but there's also the occasional string arrangement.

Classic album and one of their best with some absolute bangers.

Such fresh sounds at the time. So full of creativity and feeling

I mean, I listened to The Smashing Pumpkins before. But this album is fire.

Мощный шугейз-гранж под фуззом

finally some good fucking food

top

Very freaking cool. I already knew a lot of this album but it was a blast to go through. Love this sound. Makes me feel like a fraud

great album. needs repeated listenings to really appreciate the genius of the smashing pumpkins

4 A quintessential 90s masterpiece. -Germoses. The guitar and drums on this album is among the best you'll find. -SC

Incredible album, from the opening track it bursts into life and signals something great is on the horizon. The song names are odd at times but the emotion and passion in these songs is undeniable. The classics of Today and Disarm will be familiar to most people but tracks like Hummer or Mayonaise are incredible listens. A modern classic, not as bloated at Melon Collie (but I still love that album too) it’s a perfect summation of all that was exciting at alternative music in the early 90s! A must listen!

If someone told me this was their favorite album, I would trust them. Has insane potential to grow on me also

What teenage nights sound like. An absolutely impeccable combination of fantastical tunes and wailing guitars. Crazy to think this is some of their earliest music. This was crucial to the entire decade's sound scene and it's still influencing to this day.

Classic

Got this beautiful album therefore today is the greatest. Siamese Dream encapsulates all my favorite parts of grunge while still having a palatable sound. Really masterfully done and one of the best alternative rock albums to come out of the 90s.

Amazing, Amazing...AMAZING!!!!

One of the best albums of the entire decade.

There's a little of everything here. Grunge, alternative, metal, prog, 60s psychedelic influences. I love the layered guitars and wall of sound. It's not quite perfect, though. Silverfuck is too long and nearly derails the album. It's one of the top 10 albums of the 90s. I got Nevermind a few days ago, so I guess there must be a comparison. Nevermind is more influential, but I think I personally like Siamese Dream more.

Phenomenal album. Haven’t listened to this album in a very long time. I throughly enjoyed revisiting it and maybe I won’t leave it so long before listening to it again.

Outstanding

Loud Soft dreamy we love this album, always have

A very emotional listen for me today. Halfway through Disarm, I was informed of Brian Wilson's passing. It hit for me. I just sat there and took in the loss while these blissful tones guided me through this life I still have. For the first time since I started listening to it in 2019, I can say that I understand why people hail this as their best work. I still prefer Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness over it but this was incredible. 9/10 (5/5 on this scale)

My favourite album of the grunge era. Great songs and the Smashing pumpkins playing at their peak.

One of the best albums of the 90s. A rush of noise and melody and emotion.

I’ve only heard a of couple songs off of this album before, and while I liked them, I was surprised with how much I’ve been resonating with it, and happily so!

smash. next

I came to this many years later but LOVE it.

Pretty great album, tempted to give it 5 stars. yeah, its 5 stars.

Who would've thought that the best grunge album isn't from Nirvana. 9.5/10

Een uurtje korter dan het meestal iets hoger genoteerde Mellon Collie, maar ik vind dat eigenlijk wel lekker. Een eigenlijk heel zwaar album wat toch eenvoudig wegluistert. Met een paar redelijk grote hits, maar ook prachtige ietwat ondergewaarderde nummers als 'Hummer' en 'Spaceboy'. En net als je denkt dat het vanaf Spaceboy een beetje rustig kabbelend richting het einde gaat krijg je misschien wel het ziekste nummer van het album. Wat een ambiance. Waar veel albums nog wel eens doodbloeden na de eerste paar tracks zitten hier echt nog meerdere payoff momenten in. Het heerlijk gruizige gitaargeluid, die ietwat zeikerige zangert die soms meer als een instrument klinkt dan als zanger, een geweldige productie met zeer goed klinkende drums en die lekkere klikkende Korn-achtige bas ook. Het is qua geluid een soort voorloper van Deftones, zonder het geschreeuw en gekrijs. Smaakvol geëxperimenteer met effecten ook. Ik krijg het allemaal niet zo heel poëtisch verwoord, maar ik vind dit echt een heerlijk album. En in dit geval zit er niet eens roze getinte jeugdsentiment bij, want ik ken dit album namelijk pas sinds een jaar of 4. De dikke 5 die je wist dat zou komen is eindelijk hier.

Whether or not The Smashing Pumpkins qualify as a grunge band is a very personal and subjective choice, as likely to lead to an argument among a segment of Gen Xers and elder Millennials as anything you can think of. Regardless of whether they were stylistic peers of the bands they shared the Singles Soundtrack with, they were peers in the larger world of alternative rock in the 90s, and while Nirvana and Soundgarden and maybe even Alice in Chains hit higher heights (before tragedy inevitably struck), none of them has a better three-album run than the Pumpkins run that begins here, with Siamese Dream, and ends with Adore. Siamese Dream - comfortably the shortest of the three at a brisk-for-the-era 62 minutes - is also the greatest of the three. It establishes the sonic palette that made the band a powerhouse for the rest of the decade: the layers of guitars; Chamberlin's array of drum styles, tones, and techniques that range from breezy to military to thundering; Corgan's knack with a hook or a lush arrangement. It's a beautiful, nuanced album, sequenced perfectly, and making it nearly destroyed them. That it didn't is a miracle, but even if it had, it would have been worth it.

Simply one of the greatest albums of the 90’s and possibly ever.

Favorite 💿 of my teenage years. Still holds up for me. Changed my life.

Was originally going to call this a four, but based on the number of songs I'm noting I'm giving it all five. Songs: Too many to list right now, maybe all of them, will listen again.

Incredible pacing. Not too much of any one thing. Corgan's voice works well with their chosen guitar sound (if not too much else in this world). Most folks who bought this album had heard the title track only to get punched in the face by "Quiet" and so forth. The action let's up tracks 5-6 but before you snooze Geek U.S.A. is there. Rinse, repeat, etc.

The best ever. ❤️

Absolute banger

This is #day288 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... given the inner band disintegration moods during this time, it feels like this is the Pumpkins' Pornography album (even the end of "Spaceboy" echoes the beginning of Pornography's title track). But dark times often breed career-defining works, right? Because that's exactly what this album is: a superb juxtaposition of alternative, hard rock, psychedelic rock, dream pop, and shoegaze, against a grunge backdrop with heart-on-sleeve, introspective lyrics woven in. Some absolute classics here: "Cherub Rock," "Today," "Hummer," "Disarm" (which is Pumpkins' "Eleanor Rigby" moment), and others. This is one of the '90s alternative rock essentials. Of course, I'm giving it a 5 out of 5. Looking forward to #day289.

Favourite songs: Today, Disarm, Mayonaise

Favourite songs - Cherub Rock, Rocket, Mayonaise

Хороши! Disarm и Today <3

Despite Billy's voice, I can't see myself giving this any score other than five. Strangely, and possibly due to the vocals, this reminded me strongly of Hole's second album, particularly "Disarm", which could have been sung by Courtney Love and I wouldn't be able to tell. There's a staggering journey through different styles, grunge to shoegaze and back again, with some progressive inclinations, ballads with sweeping strings and then back to layered guitars over drums. I still can't shake the thought of Eric Cartman providing vocal duties here, but maybe that image injects a sense of humour to what could be an overly depressing album otherwise.

A banger

This is some excellent 90s nostalgia. I was born the year this album came out so obviously I don't remember it. But still, it feels like it unlocked a memory I don't even have. And the music overall is just great, even 30 years removed from its release.

4.9 out of 5. Only so I can leave room for Gish to score higher

Grunge at its finest. This album lives up there with other epic releases from this era like Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten. So many massive hits like Cherub Rock, Today, Disarm and Mayonnaise, but the rest of the album is solid too. Forgot how much I used to love listening to this back in the day. It was such a refreshing change from all of the pop and glam rock that was all the rage at the time. This music moved me, spoke to me, made me feel alive! So blessed to have been part of this amazing era of rock music. The Pumpkin’s brought it and brought it hard!

So many good tracks on here. I don't think I've ever listened to the whole album through before. I went back and forth on whether I love or hate the vocals, but I think they're just iconic. A few tracks did feel a bit samey, but I think there was enough to keep it interesting.

Though I’m partial to Gish, this album is flawless also. Brings me right back to high school and the sadness I was feeling at the time because a girlfriend moved across the country and we had to split. Oh how I thought nothing would ever compare to those times and in a way they don’t. They existed in their own way, forever a part of me. Certain album just take you right back to that time in your life, and this is definitely one that does it for me.

Banger then. Still bangs today. 5/5

Awesome

I never get tired of this record, it starts loud and angry and angsty. Cherub Rock and Quiet bring the heavy start of this album, the comes a softer but still heavy side with Today, Hummer and Rocket, all these songs reminisce from a time of adolescence, where you try to find your way through life. Then comes Disarm, which feels like a plea to be seen and to cope with the feeling of sadness in your upbringing. The string of Soma, Geek USA and Mayonaise bring memorable and sweet songs to sing to out loud with your chest. Spaceboy feels like a faded out dream, floating in your mind wanting to go home. Silverfuck is the last and long heavy breath of the record, that sways into Sweet Sweet, which feels like a contrast of a calm melody with lyrics that lead you to think about the reality of it all. To end this record in comes Luna, among the softer songs that looks into the future of life, the partnerships that you have, and what you want in your life. Most of the songs are a favorite of mine, and this record is a testament of its time and of everyone's life.

What a great sad album. I have a new perspective of Disarm after reading that’s autobiographical about child abuse and trauma. I had always thought it was just about a bad relationship. Mayonnaise is a favorite too. And then there’s Luna which sounds like the dreamiest of all the sad songs but I think it’s a bit sad too. Maybe about loving someone more than they love you?

32 years later and this all still holds up. The radio songs are still worth a listen, and so is the rest.

Sublime

The way guitars should sound

One of the foundational albums of my life. First heard "Disarm", "Today" and "Mayonaise" at a summer camp when I was 14 - played on a guitar by a slightly older boy, which added some charm. I downloaded the album immediately after coming back home, and added it to my MP3. I love the build-up on "Cherub Rock", I think it's a great opener. Smashing Pumpkins are a band that, I think, captures adolescence and "teenagery" very well, by being unashamedly emotional and urgent. This is evident in tracks like "1979" or "Tonight, Tonight", but "Cherub Rock" is also one of those songs. There's nothing ironic or distanced, but instead, pure feeling, angst. The fact that "Quiet" is one of the louder songs on the album is, of course, on the nose, but still nice.

Soundtrack to my Uni days. Stone cold 90s classic.

This album went hard.

This is one billion percent a nostalgia rating but I’m going five stars. I don’t think Smashing Pumpkins have made another album as good as this, or at least that resonates with me. Outside of Sonic Youth and some Pavement records, this album has my favorite guitar tones. Anyway five stars

Classic 90s ROCK N ROLL. Haven't listened to this one start to finish in years, but it holds up. Not for your morning coffee, but if you are getting ready for a night out...this is your jam.

The past few days have been all about nostalgia which I’m totally here for. This takes me back to hanging out with my super cool older cousin watching him play Civilization II. Fantastic album 5/5

always a good listen forever appreciative when the pumpkins comes on

pretty good for a ZWAN side project

8.5/10

very strong album start to finish

Sweet

This phenomenal album surprised me in the best way possible. I never listened to The Smashing Pumpikns before, but I knew they exist and made themselves quite a repution. Damn, this album is so good, it was way heavier than I expected The Smashing Pumpikns to sound. Interesting, energetic, has a big variety but also very consistent. Great stuff.

Siamese Dream is a truly special album that is foundational to a fully realized record collection. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-siamese-dream-by-the?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Killer album, Mellotron på Spaceboy sender denne rett til topps.

Well this was a delight. A CD that I wore out it high school but haven't listened to much recently aside from the more popular songs. It was fun to experience some of the deeper cuts again for the first time in a long time. "Silverfuck" and "Soma" in particular transported me immediately to the past in a much needed escape.

Ya know what, today IS the greatest day

I’ve been a fan of all the hits. This is my first listen through the entire album. SP has such a balanced rock guitar tones and distortion. They hit all of the melodies to satisfy any music fan and play the heavy chords to satisfy those who love metal. I will listen to this in its entirety again.

easy rate Cherub Rock - 5/5 Quiet - 4/5 Today - 5/5 Hummer - 4/5 Rocket - 5/5 Disarm - 5/5 Soma - 5/5 Geek U.S.A. - 4/5 Mayonaise - 5/5 Spaceboy - 5/5 Silverfuck - 3/5 (kinda long for my taste) Sweet Sweet - 4/5 Luna - 5/5 Average score: 4.5/5 (rounding up) another album i can't say much about other than it's damn good. this is Smashing Pumpkins at their peak in my opinion, it's probably tied with Mellon Collie for my fav albums of theirs i think one of my fav things about this album is how they play with sound here. it's got a gorgeous blend of alt rock with some of that grungy sound that was characteristic of the time it was released in. plus tracks like Disarm sound damn near orchestral. is there anything these guys can't do??

I always see this album sell out but I never knew why. I get it now.

Unbelievable. I cannot imagine listening to this as a teenager. I would have made this album my entire identity.

What can I say about this album that hasn’t already been said? It’s iconic for good reason. I was immediately captivated by this album as it takes me on a journey of dreamy shoe-gaze rock and alternative rock. Both of which are a top genre for me. It definitely has hints of grunge in it and I can see why this band was comparable to Nirvana at the time. For example “Mayonnaise” was a song I was already familiar with from the band, it was slow, dreamy and sweet. But when I heard the album in its entirety I was surprised that Mayonnaise was no longer my favourite track off the album. “Today” took me somewhere I wasn’t expecting. Gave me flashbacks of The Pixies, and had a punk rock feel to it that I really enjoyed. And of course that song definitely had Nirvana grunge written all over it. Definitely my favourite track off this album for sure. I was immediately captivated by the instrumentals, the layering and the more hardcore heavy alt rock that I didn’t expect from what I thought I understood about the band. I couldn’t tell lyrically, if the album had a cohesive story to tell, but I definitely enjoyed the highs and lows and the journey it took me on. Some soft dreamy songs followed by some really heavy alternative songs made for a gripping album. Reading more about the band and this particular album, I learned there was a lot of conflict during the recording process, which to me surprises me with how great this album turned out despite all the stress and pressure they had at the time with several bands going through a tumultuous period in their life. Love knowing they’re from Chicago as well cause it adds to my list of reasons to visit that state someday. Overall, I found this album to be fantastic and now I understand why The Smashing Pumpkins have been and will be revered for ages and years to come. They got a new fan over here! “Cherub Rock”, “Today”, “Hummer”, “Soma”, and “Silverfuck”

Almost took a star off because this album is another one that brings back powerful feelings of being young and happy and having hope for the future, but I have to admit it's still awesome.

I loved Mellon Collie and it’s only gotten better for me with time and I must say I loved Siamese Dream even more even after just one listen. It’s much more digestible, contains just the same amount of wild variance of styles, and still completely slaps. Nothing on Mellon Collie at all, in fact I take back what I said earlier I still think I prefer it, this is just a significantly shorter album and much easier to listen through. Easy 5 stars though and a true classic.

Today, Disarm, Spaceboy

Perfection

Yes

The album that started my love affair with the pumpkins! Not a bad song on here!

Just a solid wall of solid sound

Love this album. No misses.

never been the hugest fan but its just too good not to love

In 1993, when I was 14, I bought my first 2 CDs, Pink Floyd The Wall and The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream. Listening to Siamese Dream is warm nostalgia, a remembrance of the troubled emotions of adolescents and the beauty of growing up. Absolutely love the album and it holds up so well 32 years later

I was excited when I saw that Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins was my album for the day. What a great way to start off the week. This is another one of the those 90’s albums that stands the test of time. I’d argue Siamese Dream has even aged like a fine wine. I can play this now and enjoy it more than I did back in the 90’s. It’s the only Smashing Pumpkins’ album I feel this way about. Such a perfect mix of quiet and loud. Plus, sweet and angsty feelings. Sometimes in the same song! Billy and the band really knocked it out of the park on this one. Cherub Rock is one of my all time favorite songs! And then there’s Quiet, Rocket, Soma, Geek USA, Mayonaise, Silverfuck. (Those are my faves) Siamese Dream is just a no skip sensation. I have absolutely no qualms with this album. A mosh pit slamming 5 rating! 5/5

1. Cherub Rock - 10/10 2. Quiet - 8/10 3. Today - 10/10 4. Hummer - 8/10 5. Rocket - 8/10 6. Disarm - 7/10 7. Soma - 10/10 8. Geek U.S.A. - 7.4/10 9. Mayonaise - 10/10 10. Spaceboy - 10/10 11. Silverfuck - 6.5/10 12. Sweet Sweet - 6/10 13. Luna - 10/10 8/10

Thought I was going to be contrarian and not like it. But dang. This is awesome

Siamese Dream marked the moment where Billy Corgan set out to achieve his wide-screen ambitions at a time where it was anathema to even think so. At times exhaustive, occasionally euphoric, endlessly epic in scale and scope, Smashing Pumpkins proved that there can still be rock stars amidst the tortured landscape.

i want billy corgan to stick his bald head in my ass

A masterpiece. Love them, always.

Nice

The distorted guitar and angst voice are so pitch perfect for the discontent expressed. Cherub Rock, Today, and Disarm are all time clasics.

I often wonder if id like this as much if I was 32 when it came out instead of 12. But, oh well, we'll never know.

I've never listened to this the whole way through. Just paid attention to the singles, which are definitive 90s alternative. This is a really great album, even aside from Today and Disarm and Cherub Rock. What a wild juxtaposition to the grunge explosion happening at the time. Soma is a great blueprint for post-rock today. And Geek USA just rocks.

A classic in my eyes! I’ve always been more of a Mellon Collie man but this is still essential listening. Only quibbles are his vocals are too hard to understand a lot of the time and “Spaceboy” doesn’t really need to be on here.

this album gives me so much nostalgia from when i first heard it a few years ago from when i first started listening to smashing pumpkins. i love every song on this album and just love how unique corgans voice is and also the distortion on that damn guitar and the drums and everything is just awesome. i love how one song can be so light and then next so much more heavy. every song is just like a wonder for my ears and some songs also have it where it starts light and becomes something i wasn't expecting. definitely one of the best albums in its category that i've ever listened to. still it's a masterpiece for its era. i want to give this album somewhere between an 4 and 5 out of 5 but it's just too damn good so it gets a five. mayonnaise is my favorite song probably.

Not a bad song on this one. Not even a mediocre one.

God, this is magnificent. The most erotic album ever released. On listening to it today with a critical ear, I want to give it four stars owing to the dip on side 2 (which, to be fair, is really only the superfluous "Silverfuck" - although "Space Boy" doesn't measure up to the rest either) - but then we get back on track with the beautiful "Sweet Sweet". They should have finished on "Sweet Sweet". But the climax of Mayonaise...

suchhhh a brilliant album, i love the sound of the guitars on this so much it's unreal. this listen i really made an effort to appreciate the lyricism holistically - have come to the conclusion that billy corgan is a genius. fav tracks: mayonaise, spaceboy, today, soma, silverfuck, cherub rock, quiet, geek usa!

This was fun and moody, so drummy and bassy.

Damn. This album still just hits so goddamn hard!

The one time I dislike the deluxe version that's 2 hours long less than the remastered version. 5 stars

Was delighted to see smashing pumpkins, a band I know but not familiar with their stuff. This album just had the perfect balance of heavy and non-heavy, a Time Machine back into the 1990’s alternative era, 9/10.

Despite being lumped in with the onslaught of popular 90s grunge bands, they really weren't even close to sounding like their supposed peers. The Smashing Pumpkins would go on to greater commercial success with their great but bloated followup, but never truly topped the songwriting, perfectly balanced tracklist, and pure sonic craftship that went into this one. An all time great. Bold and bombastic and beautiful and one of the very finest albums of the 1990s, or indeed, of all time.

A new sonic wall.

Amazing, I didn't know much the Smashing Pumpkins but wow! 10/10

Я просто обожнюю alternative rock та його похідні. Особливо коли мова іде про 90-і, адже це, напевно був найбільший стрибок у розвитку рок музики як такої, на даний момент. І це альбом є найкращою його ілюстрацією. Після доволі гарного Gish (1991), фронтмен гурту Біллі Корган був сповнений амбіцій створити такий альбом, після прослуховування якого «буде незрозуміло що це було», але який при цьому «засяде у вас в голові на довгий час». В цьому контексті, Smashing Pumpkins, дійсно зробили унікальну роботу. Siamese Dream багато в чому покладається на класичне звучання Black Sabbath та Led Zeppelin, додаючи трохи психоделічності та «прогресивності» від Pink Floyd. Все це заміксовано із сучасним, у ті часи, гранжем та шугейзом. При цьому, шумне, але в той самий час, мрійливе звучання не покладалося на «ефекти». В цьому плані гурт притримувався формули Кевіна Шилдса із my bloody valentine. Вони покладались на винахідливі «багатошарові»аранжування, та експериментували із тональностями. І якщо Шилдс перетворював музику на «звуковий потік», пісні на цьому альбомі все ж залишаються більш структурованими та чипляючими. Те як, у висновку, звучить Siamese Dream визначило шлях альтернативної музики на роки вперед. На ньому, гурт «вивів» ідеальний баланс «складності» та «простої мелодійност», через що і знайшов відгук у багатьох слухачів. Це дуже розумна та цікава робота, що випереджала свій час. Якості якій, додає глибока, поетична та депресивна лірика Когана. Я сьогодні слухав цей альбом вперше за останні років пʼятнадцять. І зараз, він «торкається душі» куди краще, та розуміється зовсім інакше ніж у підлітковому віці. Тепер, із великим «багажем» прослуханого, розумієш його справжню велич, та те, що він ніколи не перестане бути актуальним. Справжній шедевр, та відносно сучасна, класика.

Easily in my top 10 and probably top 5 albums. Perfection from front to back.

Juicy guitar riffs Balancing quiet with loud While drums run amok

I love The Smashing Pumpkins

It can't be understated how great the multilayered guitars sound throughout this record. A lot went into the production I'm sure and at the front of it all was Billy Corgan, the troubled perfectionist. You hear it in the lyrics, soft-spoken at times and wailing at other times, the man put immense pressure on himself to create as perfect of a record as he could. This album feels more ornate than the other alt rock and grunge that was released around this time. Not that there ISN'T emotion in the other rock-adjacent music, but it just feels more prevalent and contemplative here thanks to Corgan, Iha, Wretzky, and Chamberlin. Props to Butch Vig and the rest of the production/technical team too for curating one of the more sonically satisfying alt rock records of the 90's. Favorite tracks: Cherub Rock, Today, Hummer, Disarm, Mayonaise

Best album on the list I've done so far

Having only really listened to individual songs before and never a full album I was definitely impressed by this as a complete piece of work.

Classic Grunge album, always great to listen to

Jeg kan åbenbart godt lide grunge. Det er åbenbart et album som er kendt for, at de har givet den maks gas med den rocket del. Shoegaze, classic rock, heavy metal, orchestral. Orchestral er sikkert derfor jeg godt kan lide det.

Classic. Great tone that doesn't necessitate a modern "remaster." Great flow from one song to the next. You just know there's some guy in Missouri named Kris who's against the very idea of liking the Pumpkins at all that when they finally give it a try, they're going to kick themselves for missing out.

I know Billy Corgan is a total piece of shit, but this album is FUCKING KILLER. It sounds huge! Production is so perfect; giving room for all the instruments to be heard clearly, but still creating this massive wall of noise as they come together. Drags a little in the back half, but god damn does this album rock.

Sheer artistry. A musical journey through the emotions. Tracks that end completely differently to how they begin. Could it be the best pumpkins album?

Great album. It has defined my youth as a young listener. The album goes back in memory lane, ofcourse with the likeable hits ike Disarm and Today. The vulnerable lyrics combined the guitar work and the symphonic complexity make it great.

Unapologetic Apoplectic Aggression Frustration Young persons anger Now turned banger

back to back worldies

I have a few regrets on ratings that I've given during this album process. My biggest is probably giving Pixies Doolittle 4 stars. Every time I relisten to it (which has become fairly frequently) I regret not giving it 5 stars. Complete miss on my part. We live and we learn. I'm sharing this anecdote because I'm a little afraid that I might be making a similar mistake here. The vibe is somewhat similar, early '90s grungy alt rock. It has some absolutely iconic tier-A songs ("Cherub Rock", "Today", "Disarm"). This one is a bit on the long side at 62 minutes and there is a bit of filler. Still, this is a really awesome album though start to finish. I'm completely talking myself into a 5 start album here. Ok not making the same mistake twice, it's done. Favorite song: Disarm Other: Cherub Rock, Today, Hummer, Rocket, Soma, Mayonaise, Spaceboy, Silverfuck, Sweet Sweet, Luna 2/25/25

just great- glad this generator had me listen to the whole album. every song is really good.

90's classic.

This is such an important album for me. Maybe not as good as Mellon Collie, but it made such a huge splash and heralded what was truly a great band (at least for a while). Have to love it for it meant to a generation of disaffected teenagers.

even for a cover alone I would give it 5★

Brilliant. One of my favorite bands. If I were to describe this album I would say: cameleon. You never really know if you should be swaying or headbanging. And it's not between songs, it's literally individual songs. I think every song on this record is good, but every 2 - 3 songs is incredible. Some of personal favs: -Cherub Rock -Today -Disarm -Soma -Mayonaise -Silverfuck -Spaceboy -Luna Which then leaves like 3 or 4 songs that are okay. Probably could have taken them off the record and kept this to a tight 45. -

Might be the nostalgia speaking but this is a 5

Fantastic. Will listen again.

I kind of regret that I wasn't more into Smashing Pumpkins when they were in their prime. I remember my best friend bringing this cassette on the school bus a lot, but I was more of a casual, singles SP fan. It's only in the last few years that I've really started to explore their discography in depth. I think this is probably my favorite of their albums (with Gish coming in a very close second). I like the shoegazy vibe of a lot of it. The sound is cohesive across many of the songs, but there's enough variation in sound and tempo that it doesn't get boring. And some of my favorite SP tracks are on here ("Today" and "Disarm"). I wouldn't call it a short album, with several songs well over 5 minutes ("Silverfuck" is pushing 9 minutes!), but it's a lot more manageable than the sprawling double LP of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, with a lot less filler. I think SP were at their best in the earlier years, before Billy got so far up in his own butt (though a lot of Ava Adore is still really good). 4.5/5 (I suppose I'll round to 5)

Their best album, great flow of songs I love the drumming and the tone on the guitars not a single bad song on the album

Great album.

Love this album

Really loved this and have done for a long time. The only thing I can maybe fault it on is that it’s maybe a bit long

An almost perfect album. After having a string of 70s rock albums, this was a sweet relief. The variety of tones and textures, the depth of the production, and the SONGS. Almost every one is a classic. I'm not the biggest fan of the pumpkins overall, but they absolutely knocked it out of the park on this one.

Lot of good songs, and even if its too long for my normal taste, silverfuck was interesting. I'd be pretty happy to listen to this again, it'll live in my head from Rock Band anyway.

Great this init

"Today" is phenomenal and the epitome of 90s grunge, and "Disarm" is awesome too. I didn't dislike any songs on the album, but those two really stood out, along with the guitar whistle/feedback in "Mayonaise" Very vibey, and very grungy rock with some psychedelic and shoegaze elements.

It's gotta be a five. Classic songs from a classic era. I don't smash the 'kins as much as I used to, but they have had a strong legacy for a long time. Corgan's kind of a weiner though.

It's the second album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog and one of the best. It has great staying power and replayability—lots of hits, lots of great melodies and lyrics. Disarm is probably my number-one SP song.

smiling politely waiting for a bad song and it never came

Corgan is a prat with a silly voice but it's a hell of an album

9.5/10

so goodddd so emotional i love the smashing pumpkins, first rock band i ever got into in 2021 right after graduating high school, saw them live 2 summers ago. beautiful as always, might love the sounds even more now

Classic alternative rock, they’ve mastered the quiet loud quiet formula.

Masterpiece, top 5 grunge album of all time

how did billy corgan go from being this guy to being that guy

A lovely and stormy album exploding with potency and proficiency. A 90’s classic with a tremendous sonic balance between grunge, hard rock, and shoegaze. 9+/10

Grunge perfection. A wall of sound interspersed with quieter songs to keep the attention. I may be biased because I saw them live and it was amazing.

A classic favorite. Every song is great. Billy's voice is so young!

Pure nostalgia. Disarm gets credit for staying me down the road of alt rock fandom. The album gets a little sleepy at the end for me and probably actually lands closer to a 4.5 stars, but I'd still choose it front to back most days.

I knew some songs, liked them when I was younger. I'm not a big Smashing Pumpkins fan but I enjoyed this album and will listen to some tracks in the future.

Maybe a tad long but the good stuff is brilliant. Lovely on the ol' headphones.

Alternative rock. I had this album growing up and there’s still plenty of classic tracks here. It’s definitely getting a nostalgia point from me though.

A remarkable album. Corgan really was on to something with the first three Pumpkins album (whether it was with the band or as in here as a de facto solo album)

Album rules. No misses. 4.5/5

Perfect - simply perfect. And it has maybe one of my top 10 favourite songs on here: Mayonaise

The Shoegazing Smashing Pumpkins are The Best Smashing Pumpkins. Billy Corgan still writes cringe lyrics, but they are difficult to decipher here. 5/5.

Massive, massive, massive production. Billy Corgan wrote some of the greatest alternative rock songs of the 90’s. I once wrote a song with my old band only to find out that the intro was exactly the same as the one on “Soma”. Really wish we’d been able to write the rest of Siamese Dream as well.