Following on from the grunge masterpiece 'Siamese Dream' proved little problem for Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins as they released 'Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness'. a double conecpt album that sold by the truckloads and won them critical admiration. In some places it's overblown ... Read review
Emotionally over-the-top pop extravaganzas like the string-swelling "Tonight Tonight", the ... more
Metallica-influenced alternative rock of "Zero", the techno via new wave of "1979"--the 28 songs on this swell two-disc album are as eclectic as their themes are...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Emotionally over-the-top pop extravaganzas like the string-swelling "Tonight Tonight", the ... more
Metallica-influenced alternative rock of "Zero", the techno via new wave of "1979"--the 28 songs on this swell two-disc album are as eclectic as their themes are epic and ambitious. Billy Corgan's thin whine isn't much of an instrument, but he makes the most of it by writing smart songs that take emotional chances that more-typical alt rockers would deem uncool. Pessimistic and feeling trapped but still wanting to believe in love, in a future, in something--this is the sound of Gen X at the millennium, with all the self-indulgence and power that would suggest. --David Cantwell
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Emotionally over-the-top pop extravaganzas like the string-swelling "Tonight Tonight", the ... more
Metallica-influenced alternative rock of "Zero", the techno via new wave of "1979"--the 28 songs on this swell two-disc album are as eclectic as their themes are epic and ambitious. Billy Corgan's thin whine isn't much of an instrument, but he makes the most of it by writing smart songs that take emotional chances that more-typical alt rockers would deem uncool. Pessimistic and feeling trapped but still wanting to believe in love, in a future, in something--this is the sound of Gen X at the millennium, with all the self-indulgence and power that would suggest.--David Cantwell
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: superior beautiful rock music. Rage and tenderness side by side Disadvantages: the awful pun in the title
Following on from the grunge masterpiece 'Siamese Dream' proved little problem for Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins as they released 'Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness'. a double conecpt album that sold by the truckloads and won them critical admiration. In some places it's overblown and pretentious, but Billy Corgan has never exactly been shy about self indulgence. The 'concept' is that one disc represents day, and so the songs are generally ... ...are more acoustic and chilled out(although two of the heaviest tracks on the album are actually ont this side).
The album opens with the title track, a simple piano instrumental that doesn't give any clues as to what the album is going to sounds like. The next song, 'tonight tonight' is a moment of brilliance. It's epic in sound with awsome strings and a yearning Corgan vocal as well as some fine drumming. 'Jellybelly' is something ... more
Following on from the grunge masterpiece 'Siamese Dream' proved little problem for Billy Corgan and The Smashing Pumpkins as they released 'Mellon Collie and the infinite sadness'. a double conecpt album that sold by the truckloads and won them critical admiration. In some places it's overblown and pretentious, but Billy Corgan has never exactly been shy about self indulgence. The 'concept' is that one disc represents day, and so the songs are generally heavier and faster whilst the other represents night and so are more acoustic and chilled out(although two of the heaviest tracks on the album are actually ont this side).
The album opens with the title track, a simple piano instrumental that doesn't give any clues as to what the album is going to sounds like. The next song, 'tonight tonight' is a moment of brilliance. It's epic in sound with awsome strings and a yearning Corgan vocal as well as some fine drumming. 'Jellybelly' is something of a let-down only because it follows this. With its more conventional hard-rock sound, riding on a wave of buzzsaw guitars it's thrilling but not a highpoint. 'Zero' possesses a truly brutal guitar riff with a sneering vocal and is simplistic yet brilliant. 'Here is no why' is almost glam-rock, and you sense Corgan isn't entirely serious on this camp-metal track. 'Bullet with butterfly wings' is simply incredible. It's grungy and powerful, with an anthemic chorus. 'To forgive' is mournful and tender with some lovely guitar work. 'An ode to no one' is typical hard rock. 'Love' is pretty average with Corgan delivering a hysterically awful vocal. 'Cupid de Locke' is incredibly beautiful, with lush guitars. 'Galapagos' starts tender and builds into an elegaic anthem. 'Muzzle' is grunge by numbers, unlike 'porcelina of the vast oceans' which sounds like it was created in the prog-rock centric 1970's. More musical ideas in 9 minutes than most grunge bands had in their entire careers. 'Take me down' ends the first track and is sung by guitarist James Iha. It's an album highlight, wuiet and understated, showing that the Pumpkins did quiet just as well as loud.
The second disc begins with the simplistic 'where boys fear to tread', which sees the Pumpkins clearly influenced by Deep Purple. The guitar riffs are satisfyingly heavy and the drums crash with menace. 'Bodies' is hard-gothic rock which is pretty average. 'Thirty three' is one of the best tracks on the album. It's easy to play on the guitar but beautiful and contemplative. 'In the arms of sleep' is another acoustic moment that complements the previous track well. '1979' is th ebest track on the album and probably of the Pumpkins' career. It is a tour-de force of the Pumpkin's musical talents. A yearning, polished mid paced ballad that stands out like a shinning star amongst the more turgid bands of the grunge era. 'Tales of a scorched earth' is dumbass metal, but 'thru the eyes of ruby' is a superior follow-up with multi-layered guitars that twist and turn throughout the song. 'Stumbeleine' is a highlight of the album, quiet and mournful with heart-beaking lyrics. 'X.Y.U' is solid Pumpkins rock fayre, unlike 'We only come out at night' with its lullabye style melody and jangling guitars. 'Beautiful' is a bit sickly to be honest. 'lily (my one and only)' is serene and lovely. 'By starlight' is sad and longing. Album closer 'farewell and goodnight' sees three members of the band on vocals and is a glistenning pop gem.
Overall the first disc is better than the second but this album demonstrates that you can make a concept album without being too self indulgent. The highmark of the Pumpkin's career and one of the standout albums of the mid 1990's.
dan_wales 16.03.2006 (16.03.2006)
Ciao members have rated this review on average:
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Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Advantages: bullet with butterfly wings, tonight tonight Disadvantages: tales of a scorched earth
...Pumpkins, and that vision was Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Mellon Collie… was released as a double-album which is ambitious in itself. The songs within are at times pure brilliance, and at other times nothing more than a mess of over produced noise. Regardless, this double-album went on to record sales numbers, and is remembered by most as one of the defining albums of the last decade, and certainly one of the more important albums ... ...starts with the title track Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, a short, sweet, and slow piano intro. That is quite memorable. For some reason it reminded me of the opening of In The Flesh from Pink Floyd's The Wall. In fact many elements of past double-albums such as The Wall and The Beatle's White Album are put to great use on these discs. Tonight Tonight has a gorgeous layering of sounds (perhaps one of the most inspired musical offerings ...
veryhairymonkey 31.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Advantages: a wide range of styles, 28 tracks Disadvantages: may be a bit too long for some
in 1995, i was a bored ten year old just getting in to music. one day, i was watching mtv when i saw the video for the pumpkins song "tonight tonight". i had never heard of the band before, but instantly fell in love with the song and the video. over the next few months i heard and loved "bullet with butterfly wings" and "1979". they were all fantastic singles. so, i then decided to buy the double album "melloncollie and the infinite sadness". five ... ...28 songs its quite heavy going, but amazingly, there isnt a bad song in there. there are heavy rock songs (like "zero" and "bullet with butterfly wings"), pop songs ("tonight tonight" and "1979") and even some lilting ballards ?("take me down", "to forgive"). this album really is incredible. the lyrics, the music, everything. BUY THIS ALBUM!!! ...
mynciboy 15.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Advantages: Some great songs Disadvantages: a few fillers, didn't need to be two discs
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness could have been their best album. Unfortunately they chose to make it a double album, and like virtually all double albums I own, I feel that one absolutely great CD could have been made instead of two pretty good ones. There are plenty of good tracks, Tonight Tonight (A song that I hated when I first heard it for some reason) Bodies and Bullet With Butterfly Wings are some tracks that sping to mind immediately. ...
yhwman 10.08.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Advantages: Great lyrics, good looking picture book, 24/28 superb songs. Disadvantages: Some songs go to the extreme!
...quality with great songs like "33" and "Beautiful" to soothe you whenever your in need of it. The lyrics are very deep and combined with some very clever song writing, Mellon Collie And the Infinite Sadness is an alternative masterpeice that is a great item to have in your collection. ...
Saqqqq 12.07.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Advantages: Beauty, Emotion, Depth, Great Vocals And Guitar Playing, Lyrics Are Included, Briliant Artwork Disadvantages: A Tad Too Long, Some Throwaway Tracks
R.I.P. Smashing Pumpkins. Now that the gods have split up, we have no more brilliant albums to look forward to. This, being one of there best, is an example of the kind of emotion and beauty the smashing pumpkins can bring to music. A double album is always a hard thing to make and the Smashing Pumpkins have created one with fantastic results. The first CD is filled with their most famous songs, namely,"Tonight Tonight","Bullet With Butterfly Wings" ... ...are "Galapogos" and "Here Is No Why". The Smashing Pumpkins juggle both melody and distortion to amazing effect. The 2nd Disc is also good, though not quite as good as the first. Here you will find the brilliance of "1977","Thirty-Three" and others. There are a few throwaway tracks on this album but the beauty of the great ones easily outweighs this problem. Billy's voice is powerful and is capable of reaching very high and very low notes. James ...
voicelessness 07.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Product Information for "Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness - Smashing Pumpkins (The)" »
Product details
Title
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness
Performer
Smashing Pumpkins (The)
Genre
Rock & Pop
Sub Genre
Alternative
Release Date
11/1995
Recomended Retail Price
18.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1995
Label / Distributor
Hut / EMI Operations/CEVA Logistics
Pieces in Set
2
Studio / Live
Studio
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
724384086428
Catalogue Number
CDHUTD 30
Additional notes
Album Notes
Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'Arcy, Jimmy Chamberlin. Additional personnel: Greg Leisz (pedal & lap steel guitars). Producers: Flood, Alan Moulder, Billy Corgan. Engineers include: Alan Moulder, Flood, Chris Shepard. "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" won a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance. Smashing Pumpkins were nominated for five additional 1997 Grammys for MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS. The album was nominated for Album Of The Year and Best Alternative Music Performance; "1979" was nominated for Record Of The Year and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal; and the title track was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance. For all the criticisms levied on head Pumpkin Billy Corgan, one thing he can't be accused of is being narrow in his artistic vision. On the breakthrough SIAMESE DREAM, he and co-producer Butch Vig built a landscape of layered, corrosive guitars that shimmered brighter with each additional glance. On MELLON COLLIE AND THE INFINITE SADNESS, Corgan turns his eye to the dreariness of modern existence and comes up with a broad alterna-rock opus that plays out like an offspring of Roger Waters and Kurt Cobain--verbose and angst-ridden, bleak in its view, cathartic in nature. With its two distinctly titled song-cycles and overture-like title track, there is no doubt that MELLON COLLIE is meant to be approached as a concept album, and Corgan's lyrical musings only reiterate the point. The songs explore alienation in the physical and spiritual worlds, generally concluding that it can seldom be overcome. Only the early "Tonight, Tonight" offers a glimmer of hope ("believe that life can change, that you're not stuck in vain"), on the wings of a soaring, string-laden production. Far more constant are spiritually depleting images of "the world [as a] vampire, sent to drain" ("Bullet With Butterfly Wings"), of love as "suicide" ("Bodies'") and of heaven's unresponsiveness ("Zero"). The constant din of guitars that illuminated GISH and SIAMESE DREAM has been replaced with a varied sonic palette that reflects MELLON COLLIE's operatic nature. Piano interludes connect the opening title track and the closing "Farewell And Goodnight"; harps, harpsichords and other heavenly sounds trim "Cupid De Locke"; synthetic, Cars-like drums and a general faux-New Wave feel spur on "1979"; and "X.Y.U." explodes with distorted guitar wallops and yelped vocals that scream post-modern confusion. The 28 tracks are as motley and disconcerting as the world they describe, and MELLON COLLIE is a dispiriting glimpse from the eyes of a man whose last vestiges of hope seem lost.
Album Reviews
Q (10/01, p.81) - Ranked #19 in Q's "Best 50 Albums of Q's Lifetime" Rolling Stone (5/13/99, pp.62-62) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Entertainment Weekly (Spring 2000, p.166) - Ranked #7 in EW's "Top 10 albums of the '90s" Rolling Stone (1/25/96, p.37 & p.41) - Voted Best Album in the 1996 Readers' Poll. Ranked #5 in the 1996 Critics' Poll. New York Times (1/6/96, p.C16) - Included on Neil Strauss' list of the Top 10 Albums of `95 - "...a well-crafted, bottom-heavy double album that never lets up..." Village Voice (2/20/96) - Ranked #14 in Village Voice's 1995 Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll. Q (2/96, p.67) - Included in Q's 50 Best Albums of 1995. NME (12/23-30/95, pp.22-23) - Ranked #38 in NME's `Top 50 Albums Of The Year' for 1995. Entertainment Weekly (12/29/95-1/5/96, p.131) - Ranked #2 on EW's Top 10 Albums Of 1995. Rolling Stone (11/30/95, p.66) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Although MELLON COLLIE clocks in at more than two hours, it's one of the rare epic rock releases whose bulk is justified in the grooves...even more impressive when you consider that Corgan single-handedly wrote 26 of the songs..." Spin (12/95, p.117) - 8 - Very Good - "...Billy Corgan has built the asteroid of his dreams....music that rejects standard song shapes in favor of a more ambient, uncontainable sonic narrative....all very lush....[Corgan] sings for the awkward adolescent in all of us, the mad little creature wanting to conquer, destroy, and embrace life all at once..." Musician (1/96, p.85) - "...stridently all over the place...laughably ambitious, and yet...satisfying throughout....a wealth of distinctly original material....songs that will satisfy fans of SIAMESE DREAM...songs that will satisfy punk rock fans...songs of a new mythology..." Q (12/95, p.150) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...a mammoth, put-up-or-shut-up confirmation of four people's musicial ability, one man's floodgate songwriting and his penchant for head-in-the-clouds preposterousness..." NME (10/21/95, p.50) - 8 (out of 10) - "...his magnum opus, a ludicrous, brilliant, bloated blunderbuss of love....you should be grateful that amid the acres of safe, generic stodge of American alternative rock, someone has this kind of rampant, scattershot ambition..." Entertainment Weekly (10/27/95, pp.88-90) - "...A sprawling sonic carpet that never stops unfurling, its 28 songs careen from ravaged, apocalypse-now metal assaults to glucose-coated ballads. Corgan has stripped away the lacquered sheen of SIAMESE DREAM and replaced it with wild-eyed eclecticism that works..." - Rating: A
Titles on disc 1
1.
Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness
2.
Tonight Tonight
3.
Jellybelly
4.
Zero
5.
Here Is No Why
6.
Bullet With Butterfly Wings
7.
To Forgive
8.
Fuck You (An Ode To No One)
9.
Love
10.
Cupid De Locke
11.
Galapogos
12.
Muzzle
13.
Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans
14.
Take Me Down
Titles on disc 2
1.
Where Boys Fear To Tread
2.
Bodies
3.
Thirty Three
4.
In The Arms Of Sleep
5.
1979
6.
Tales Of A Scorched Earth
7.
Thru The Eyes Of Ruby
8.
Stumbleine
9.
XYU
10.
We Only Come Out At Night
11.
Beautiful
12.
Lily (My One And Only)
13.
By Starlight
14.
Farewell And Goodnight
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