Let It Come Down

James Iha

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 10, 1998)
• Original Release Date: February 10, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WFL
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,129 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Alternative Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Fans of the Smashing Pumpkins who revel in the band's angst-ridden alt rock may well recoil in horror at this slice of pure, sweet melodicism from the band's lead guitarist, but Iha's solo debut is worthy enough to stand on its own merits. Musically, Iha's ability to effortlessly reel off one catchy acoustic pop number after another is reminiscent of Freedy Johnston. Lyrically, he's not nearly as adventurous or intriguing as Johnston. Yet, while some would no doubt classify his lovelorn ruminations as saccharine, they ultimately come across as honest and heartfelt--and, most importantly, they fit perfectly with the tone and spirit of the music. --Peter Blackstock

Entertainment Weekly
[The] Smashing Pumpkins guitarist emerges with something that's bound to startle fans expecting fuzzed-out meltdown: a gentle album. . . . While there's an economical sweetness to throwback folk-pop tunes like "Be Strong Now" and "Country Girl," most of these breezy ditties just waft away innocuously. . . .

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Optomistic Melancholy, May 10, 2001

By	"agarabiles" (APO, AP United States) - See all my reviews

As a fan of the much maligned, often disdained Smashing Pumpkins, and a particular admirer of Iha's contributions "Blew Away" and "Summer," I felt it an absolute must to purchase his solo debut. My first impression was not too favorable. What was lacking was the pretentious grit of Corgan that lent a muscular roughness to Iha's softer sensibilities. In short, it lacks electricity. Iha's lyrics and mellow mood, sometimes bordering on giddy, sifted too finely through my ears. I wanted my heart to tear as it does in the heavily Iha influenced "Mayonnaise." But as time passed, Iha's gentleness, mellodic tendencies, and strange chords began to win me over. His songs are simple; the lyrics aren't complicated; the guitars were strummed with ease; but underneath the affable melancholy, there is a passion, not one of angst, rage, or grief, but a passion for the sublime. His emotions are clear in each song. He wishes to feel, rather than think, about love. Iha comes across as the shy guy in the back of class, not hurt about his apparent differences to others, not jaded by thoughtless women, but rather he accepts it all and presents himself as he is, honestly and without pretension. The songs and lyrics in Let It Come Down are simple, but at least they are true.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply awesome!, August 25, 2001

By A Customer

Let me start by saying I've only rated two albums (not including "Best of..." compilations) to be worthy of 5 stars. This CD is definitely worth the $... I paid for it. Shoot, I'd pay $... for a new copy if this one ever got lost - it's THAT good! Everytime this CD comes into the rotation (where it'll stay 'til the CD-player breaks), I'm transported into a red convertible, driving down some country road with my arm hanging out the side, and my best friends riding along, enjoying the sunshine. This album puts me into the "happy" mode that I know everyone strives for (regardless of what kind of cool image they try to maintain). Buy this album as a cheaper alternative to Prozac. Send a copy to play as background music at your local suicide hotline. It's not the most polished album, nor are the musicians going to blow you away with their skills, but the end result is amazingly good.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely one of the Greatest CDs I have every Purchased, April 29, 2001

By	Daniel Lewis (Benicia, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Once every 5 blue moons an album comes along that is so positively infused with "feel-good" energy, I feel like shouting from the rooftops: "Run, do not walk, run and get this album immediately!" Let it Come Down is such and album. This music is like a massage to your soul! The tunes are so positively contagious, the imagery they create so delightful, you just feel thankful for the experience and for the gift of music. I wish I could personally thank James Iha for creating such a masterwork and feel ever so slightly disappointed that this album didn't attain the commercial success it so richly deserves.