Album reviews: Smashing Pumpkins, Gish and Siamese Dream

6:30 AM Sunday Jan 15, 2012

The roll-out of grunge-era reissues continues with Smashing Pumpkins' debut and their classic sophomore album the latest to resurface. While on Gish the Chicago band led by Billy Corgan were yet to reach their pinnacle - which would come two years later on Siamese Dream - there is a devilish cocky rock swagger to tracks like I Am One and Bury Me that still holds up 20 years on.

But best of all is the delightful contrast between these sniping tracks and the brooding beauty of Rhinoceros and whimsical finale Daydream.

Listening to it today though, the Pumpkins were still wearing their influences on their sleeves with everything from Sabbath, Pink Floyd and, most strikingly, Jane's Addiction coming through.

Whereas on 1993's more accomplished Siamese Dream they came up with something wholly unique - from the distorted fury of Cherub Rock, the pure pop of Today, and on to the power and poignancy of Disarm, which remains the band's finest, grandest statement.

Gish
Stars: 4/5

Siamese Dream
Stars: 5/5

-TimeOut