SMASHING PUMPKINS Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness 30th anniversary Super Deluxe( Virgin / Capitol / UMe)
The multiplatinum success of 1993’ s Siamese Dream represented a high-water mark in‘ 90s rock, with enduring singles including“ Today” and“ Disarm.” Those alone could have secured the legacy of Smashing Pumpkins, but Billy Corgan’ s all-consuming ambition built Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness into the titanic work that became the band’ s signature piece. Upon its October 24, 1995, release, the 28- song album provided an immersive soundscape in which fans of the Pumpkins’ gothic grunge-pop could both lose and find themselves. For the 30th anniversary of Corgan ' s magnum opus, that opportunity is multiplied. The album produced four indelible singles that remain familiar to anyone who operated a radio during the past 30 years. The nihilistic despair of " Zero " is among the world ' s best friends of the miserable. Pity the poor soul who identifies with the declaration that " I ' m in love with my sadness " or that " God is empty, just like me." The latter line hits like a ton of bricks thanks to the song ' s grinding two-ton riff and Jimmy Chamberlain ' s dramatic drumming, and also because almost anyone can identify with the sentiment at a time when they ' ve felt their lowest. Each chorus of Grammywinning single " Bullet with Butterfly Wings " explodes with impotent fury at the unlikely but undeniable rallying line, " Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage." In his notes, Corgan calls the song a statement on " the lameness of fame." Corgan ' s sneering vocal delivery on these rockers is aggressive and unapproachable, yet inherently vulnerable. As such, many of his songs are relatable to listeners who might feel misunderstood, alienated, and / or angry. That, my friends, is not a small number of people, particularly among Smashing Pumpkins ' predominantly youthful audience in 1995. If misanthropic fare like " Zero " or " Bullet with Butterfly Wings " provides a pressure valve, perspective, an exorcism of ill feelings, or just lets someone know that someone else " gets it," that ' s a commendable
public service. There may have been ample supply, but it wasn ' t all nihilism and rage. " Tonight, Tonight " bursts forth with orchestral splendor and offers a different sentiment, promoting courage, hope, and the strength of will necessary to overcome obstacles. Corgan has claimed influence from Cheap Trick and Yeats in the lyric. The shimmering " 1979," with its deceptively upbeat sonics and krautrock pulse, reflects on a coming-of-age memory as innocence transitions into restless uncertainty about the future. The stark difference in his voice from Corgan ' s notwithstanding, the psychedelic acoustic strummer " Thirty-Three " could have been a lovely album track for George Harrison circa Dark Horse. The song was the album ' s fifth and final single. The sprawling album reveals other shadowy delights, from the mosh-pit-inducing riffs of the fatalist manifesto " Jellybelly " to the gloomy romance of " By Starlight." " Muzzle " resonates with anyone pushing against restraints to say their piece, balanced against knowing when to keep one ' s mouth shut. Repeating the heart-torn and embittered line " love is suicide," the pummeling " Bodies " predates the territory that Muse would travel on albums like Black Holes and Revelations. The cascading and expansive " Porcelina of the Vast Oceans " charts a dreamlike escape from turbulent reality. Guitarist James Iha sings the soothing " Take Me Down " as an ode of fondness and comfort. With a warm and enveloping haze of stacked guitar overdubs, the epic song " Thru the Eyes of Ruby " muses on the impermanence of love. Built atop zither strums, " We Only Come Out at Night " starts with a lighthearted reference to the band ' s status as rock-and-roll vampires, but it also explores deeper thoughts on isolation and insecurity. nThe Super Deluxe vinyl box spreads the double album across eight vinyl sides. To the album ' s formidable presence, the set adds two more LPs, including 14 Mellon Collie songs recorded on the original Smashing Pumpkins ' grueling 1996 Infinite Sadness tour. " Geek U. S. A." and " Rocket " are drawn from Siamese Dream. " Siva " represents the 1991 debut album Gish. All are performed by the original lineup, including bassist D ' arcy Wretzky. The group is at its feral peak. When Corgan growls
14 illinoisentertainer. com december 2025