Issue date: 12/5/02 Section: Spotlight

The Smashing Pumpkins - French Movie Theme

The Smashing Pumpkins - Today

Eight years ago, the Smashing Pumpkins released unto the world "Earphoria," a super-limited edition CD companion/soundtrack to their concert/documentary video, "Vieuphoria."

Legions of fans swooned over the opportunity to have a taste of live Pumpkins.

For years following the release of "Earphoria," the only way to acquire the CD was to sell your soul, as the CD was almost impossible to find. Unless one found the rat-nasty bootlegged version.

Flash forward to 2002 and déjà vu graces our contented visages. The Pumpkins re-released, along with "Vieuphoria" on DVD, the formerly missing-in-action "Earphoria."

The importance of this release is certain -- it is a reminder of a band that rocked live and focused less on artsy electronic-laden pop rock.

Naturally, this reviewer finds sanctity in all forms of music the Pumpkins tread. But to those who kissed off the Pumpkins in 1998 when they released "Adore," this is a bittersweet reminder of days long since passed when the band put even the likes of Pearl Jam to shame.

Opening with "Sinfony," a short intro comprised solely of e-Bow guitar and driving into the thick and heavy "Quiet," "Earphoria" promises aural ecstasy from the get-go.

In a most interesting trade-off, "Disarm" and "Cherub Rock" switch natures. The former, which is popular for its acoustic guitars and kettle drums, takes on a very spare and crunchy electric touch. The latter, which is one of the most extensive rockers on "Siamese Dream" is manifested on "Earphoria" as brushed drums and acoustic guitars.

The acoustic version of "Cherub Rock" works at a much better level than does the electric "Disarm."

Where the album really shines, though, is in the extended jams, something with which the Pumpkins certainly are familiar.

Their live chops really show on "I Am One" and "Silverf***."

"I Am One," topping off at a modest eight minutes, was performed for a very enthusiastic crowd in Barcelona.

It is a much faster and rawer version of its "Gish" counterpart, complete with an awkward rant courtesy of frontman Billy Corgan.

"Silverf***" rocks the fuzz off the mullet. An already bombastic song in the studio, "Silverf***" breaks down the barriers of chaos and musical evolution at almost 14 minutes of nothing less than pure aural bliss.

The guitars tear through the sensibilities of crazed-hearted wanderers while the hectic percussion enraptures their minds. Halfway through the song, Corgan breaks into a scary a cappella version of "Over the Rainbow." This is followed soon after by another break into a song. This time with "Jackboot," a Hendrix-esque rocker that would rip to shreds the fretwork of anything that Creed could ever fathom performing.

The album also has some really odd pieces, apparently designed for use on "Vieuphoria," including "Bugg Superstar," an excellent electronic number reminiscent of the soundtrack to a Super NES game and "French Movie Theme," an acoustic guitar-piano oddity that is but a whisper in the ears of eccentricity.

"Earphoria" is a very specific album. It's specifically designed for those whose musical tastes exist far from the realm of casual listening, whether they are die-hard fans of Pumpkins or die-hard fans of music in general.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools