Customer Reviews

Siamese Dream

5 star:		(436)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I have not been on the Smashing Pumpkins bandwagon for long. I missed the albums when they first hit; hell, the first song I heard by them was "Tonight, Tonight" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Needless to say, I had some catching up to do. Thankfully, that catching up included listening to this album, which I now consider a seminal/pivotal/simply amazing point in rock history. Billy Corgan does away with pretension by twisting it into glorious rock anthems and beautiful alt-pop. The kicker is that, while people wrote them off as depressionists, almost every moment on this CD can be compared with euphoric joy. Even in moments of rage, the beauty of the music shines through. Straight-out rockers such as "Geek U.S.A." and "Quiet" are singular yet grand in their guitar riffs, creating a near-primal feeling. Softer numbers such as "Spaceboy", "Disarm", and "Mayonaise" cause reflection and introspection on the listener's part, creating a more balanced record. The true killers on this album, though, are "Today' and "Soma". The first is the most melodic alternative rock ever written, while the second is the most sobering alt-rock ever written. In closing, while the Pumpkins may not be sure who they are anymore, I'll always love them for who they were.

Although Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness was more ambitious and diverse, Siamese Dream is arguably the best album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog.

In 1993, the Smashing Pumpkins were probably one of the most original bands of the alternative scene. With incredible soundscapes of guitar distortion, Billy Corgan's impassioned and ethereal vocals, and Jimmy Chamberlain's excellent drumming, these guys had a sound that was nothing like any alternative band of the time. Only My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (released in 1991) with its similar guitar-dominated sound could be considered as an influence, but Siamese Dream has its own distinct impact.

My, what a sound. Billy Corgan sounds better here than any other Pumpkins album--on later albums he sounded whiny; here he sounds obscure yet not overly shrill. The guitar playing is incredible (listen to the outro of Rocket) and the music grabs you by the collar and takes you in with its sweeping power.

Cherub Rock, with its slowly building opening leading to a bombastic arena rocker, is the perfect start to this album. After that, the double hit of Quiet and Today provides immense satisfaction. After Hummer and Rocket pass by leaving their audio imprint on you, the mood takes a sudden turn with the orchestral and haunting ballad Disarm which leads into the soft rock of Soma. The white-hot rage of Geek USA quickly rips through your ears before yielding to two more wonderful ballads--Mayonaise and Spaceboy. After that, the loud and powerful Silverf--k takes over. Finally, the album ends on a whisper with Sweet Sweet and Luna.

You won't be tempted to skip through a single track. Although future efforts were more ambitious, the Smashing Pumpkins never made an album this flawless again. You can't lose by adding this one to your collection.

..By the way, there's nothing really "explicit" about the lyrics. Even Silverf--k contains no profanity, except for the barely audible interludes.

The drum rolls, then falls away for a building electric guitar, a drum, and a searingly vibrant wall of sound that rises before your very ears. This is the start of "Siamese Dream," a vintage Smashing Pumpkins album and one of the best, most underrated alternative rock albums ever released.

Opening with a bang is the dizzying "Cherub Rock," a song that serves as a perfect springboard into the heart of this album. It can shift in an instant between pulse-pounding (the deceptively-named "Quiet") and more progressive ("Hummer"). Corgan's range stretches even to the quiet ("Sweet Sweet"), the dramatic ("Disarm" with its bells and violins) or the catchy (the plaintive "Spaceboy").

Perhaps the most outstanding thing about the Pumpkins is their seamless blend of metal, neo-psychedelica and art-rock. The blasting electric riffs, sprawling melodies, and the whirling, sinuous guitars are all interwoven without so much as a sonic burp. At first glance, it seems like a fairly typical rock/metal album, but upon further listening, the alluringly complicated music begins to filter itself fully into your brain. Corgan's lyrics aren't for the perky among you -- angsty and introspective, while avoiding the trap of self-pity.

It's difficult to find a musical flaw with the Pumpkins in "Siamese Dream." Corgan's high voice flitters between murmuring and wailing. Backing him up are James Iha's layered, whirling guitar riffs and Jimmy Chamberlain's controlled, fast drumming. Acoustic guitar also gets to shine at the start of "Disarm." What sounds like church bells is even used.

Fiercely adventurious, brooding and expressive, "Siamese Dream" is a breathtaking ride into a majestic rock world all its own. Inventive and enticing, this is a modern classic.

There's just something about the way "Today" explodes in your ears! Starting with James Iha's simple, quiet, melodic plucking and then the song just comes blasting into the great wide open, it's like going from black & white to brilliant technicolor in a few brief seconds! This is just one of many heartstopping, exhilarating moments on "Siamese Dream" and the past 9 years have been especially kind to the wonderful music Billy Corgan & Co. recorded back then. At the height of grunge when everyone else only knew 2 modes in music; angry and brooding, The Smashing Pumpkins actually recorded HAPPY sounding music, with actual melodies, hooks and full-length guitar solos! The rare thing about "Siamese...." is how it balances the bone-crunching riffs of heavy metal, the sprawling, psyhedelic sensibilities of 60's rock and the glorious guitar slendor of 70's art rock, all without sounding pretentious. This is a wondrous album to listen to in one long sitting. Give it some time and serious attention.
A Masterpiece by a groundbreaking band.

I just listened to Siamese Dream (after a long haul w/o listening to it) a few days ago. And about the time I got the Geek USA, I realized how relaxed and at home I felt. I was just sitting at the computer, playing SimCity or something, letting the cool winds come in from the window, and listening to Siamese Dream. And though I was here at college, some 400 miles from my real home, I felt like I was in my room again, listening to the Pumpkins while doing my homework again. I feel that "Siamese Dream" is one the greatest albums ever, maybe only surpased by Radiohead's "OKComputer." I see the only reason people view MCIS as the best Pumpkin album is because it gives you what you wanted from "Siamese," but whole lot more of it. "Mayonaise" is my all-time favorite song. And it, as well as "Soma," are one the best Pumpkin songs ever...and there ARE a lot of them, believe me. I suggest you get this album, and never forget it, because once you listen to it, it will always have a place in your heart.

Not since Steely Dan and Boston has a group used the studio as an additional instrument along with guitar,bass & drums.The attention to detail is amazing and even the songs tempo shift and key changes make this required listening for three chord Charlies everywhere.Each song stand on their own merit from the build up opener Cherub Rock to the sweet open-ended closer Luna(which they improve upon on MCATIS'sGoodnight).Disarm uses cellos and acoustic power chords to unbelievable effect while Quiet's unexpected time signature change feels instinctual.Silver**** the one chord 8 minute jamfest is the epitomy of grunge improv while Mayonase was composed due to a junky guitars tendency to emit a wailing sound.Soma goes from dreamy to screamy and back.Like other visionaries of music Billy's not the greatest singer,but like Dylan before him,it's about what he's conveying than how he sings it.One of the greatest albums of the 90's Siamese Dreams has yet to be preceded.

I have always loved this album and wanted to write a review on it but i didn't wanna end up writing a subpar review of it that would make others think that i dont appreciate this album as much as i do. blah, blah, blah, i think too much

Anyway, here we go Siamese Dream is the best album of the last 15 or so years for sure. Everything about it is great. It has many different styles of songs, it has amazing guitars(lead and rhythm), its intros and outros are amazing, and the lyrics are equally amazing.

What makes me appreciate the album even more is the fact that you can tell that Corgan put an ungodly amount of effort into making each of these songs. All the layering of guitars, the back-up vocals, the interesting outros, and the overall catchiness of this album. This is a must buy for any fan of alt. rock, rock, good guitars, or just music in general. And please give it some time if you're initially turned off by Corgan's voice as many are.

soma, geek usa, mayonaise, and spaceboy are probably the standouts here, but every track is good. just as every pumpkins album is good. What can i say i am a sp freak.

But seriously listeners of all genres of music should give siamese dream a listen if they havent already.

Words cannot describe this album as a whole...so I will rate the songs as follows:

1.Cherub Rock: 5 out of 5...amazing...from the drums to the clashing guitar and whines of billy's voice saying "who wants that honey" it is a perfect song...it still gives me goosebumps when I listen to it.

2.Quiet: 4.5 out of 5...VERY GOOD...it is near a perfect song...it cries out with guitars so well, and Quiet will be remembered in my heart.

3.Today: 5 out of 5...the most controvercial song and popular song off the album...Thank GOD for that! Perfect song with awesome guitar riffs...my fav. part is the lil intro at the beginning.

4.Hummer: 5 out of 5...I LOVE this song...so beautifully masterminded and put together by the well known supernatural genius billy corgan.

5.Rocket: 4.5 out of 5...another popular song...I love this also...I just hadn't managed to find room to put it on my SP greatest hits 2 cd set.

6.Disarm: 5 out of 5...BEAUTIFUL, HEARTBROKEN, LOVING song that will grab your eyesockets every time and force tears out...never have I heard a more loving beautiful song.

7.Soma: 4.5 out of 5...Love the song...they could have shortened the softness at the beginning though...the hard part 3 min into the song is my fav.

8.Geek U.S.A.: 5 out of 5...Awesome song...just didnt put it on my greatest hits cuz i didnt have room

9.Mayonaise: 10 out of 5.... MY absolute FAVORITE song by the Pumpkins and FAV song all together!!! I LOVE IT SO MUCH especially the intro and outro. It is so beautifully composed and if I ever met billy in real life I would mention this song over and over. A BEAUTIFUL song.

10.Spaceboy: 5 out of 5...this pisses me off because it is one of the best songs on my whole entire album and it skips near the 4:00 period...i think with various cd players the skip is between 3:47 and 3:56. it just makes me mad but it is such a beautiful song....LOVE IT!

11.Silverfuck: 5 out of 5 perfect song love it to death but because of it's 8 minute length i couldnt put it on my greatest hits.

12.Sweet Sweet: 5 out of 5 cute little lullabye running exactly 1 minute 38 seconds...beautiful

13.Luna: 5 and 3/4 out of 5...i love this song to death....it always puts me to sleep and it is so beautiful...it could put any crying screaming baby to sleep im serious!!!

You keep hearing me talk about MY "greatest hits" well i recently burned a double disc SP greatest hits. well...9 tracks out of 13 are on my greatest hits...1,2,3,4,6,9,10,12, and 13. That's more than I have from Mellon Collie! Wow! But this album is spectacular in its own little way and I would like to say it is my best cd i have ever owned and I want to get a second copy and put it in a plaque in its original shrink wrap!!! I had to do this review fast and if you've seen my other reviews you'd know im more serious or business-steadily like in them...but this one is so good, how could I begin to be serious? It RULES and i want to spill my emotions out on this review for it like red kool-aid on a white carpet with no Resolve handy....GET IT NOW OR I WILL COME HUNT YOU DOWN!!!-Joking, but it is a very good album and I highly, HIGHLY suggest you get it. you won't regret it.

Alright: I've heard this album from beginning to end countless times like the reviewers below, and I feel that the innumerable praises have been righteously given to this album.

Simply put, this is the greatest album the Pumpkins ever put out. MCIS is a close second best, but Siamses Dream is so close to perfection that it can't be outranked even by the best-selling double album of all time. Personally, I'd have to say that this album is even better than Nevermind.. Yes, Nevermind was more groundbreaking at the time of its release, but Corgan and the band's masterful work done on this album outshines the late Cobain. Honestly, based on guitar skills, Cobain can't touch Corgan.

Simply put, this album is my favorite rock album of all-time. Hell, I've even played 'Mayonaise' in my high-school talent show back when I was a senior; it was just like the acoustic version from Vieuphoria. If you like rock, and you have liked any singles by the great SP, then you must check this album out. Guitar players and drum players must hear this album too... great stuff from a great band.

It must have been at the end of 1991 that some guy at my fathers work, who knew i liked alternative music, gave me a tape with two "new good bands" on it. On the A-side there was this band called Monster Magnet and on the B-side there was 'Gish', the first Smashing Pumpkins album. When i listened to the tape i knew that i didn't like Monster Magnet, but i fell in love with 'Gish'. That was the moment i started to follow the Smashing Pumpkins and i listened to 'Gish' a lot for the next two years. By 1993 i had become a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan, so it's needless to say that i bought 'Siamese Dream' on the day of its release in the summer of 1993.

It's 2002 now and it's been 9 years ago that 'Siamese Dream' was released and i must have listened to this album about 235,235,366 times since 1993. To me it's the best cd of all-times and the closest to my heart. Actually i am planning to buy 'Siamese Dream' for the second time as my copy has been completely 'worn off' over the years. I've never done that before, but i know 'Siamese Dream' is worth it. I'll keep my casette-tape of 'Gish' and my completely 'worn off' copy of Siamese Dream as nice memories to a band that have had a big influence on my life as a teenager.

(P.s. i'm sorry that my english is a bit poor at times)