Search - Smashing Pumpkins :: Rotten Apples: Greatest Hits

The gems and duds of the Pumpkins

lain4ever | Los Angeles, CA | 08/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The Smashing Pumpkins' collection of greatest hits is a mixed bag of some of their coolest songs and some disappointing ones.



As one might imagine, the beginning of the "Greatest Hits - Rotten Apples" has most of their best songs. Corgan and the other members were on a roll ever since their first album, releasing a mix of slow, epic ballads and blazing fast drum-based songs. Even though I still cringe listening to the subpar lyrics of "Rhinoceros," the smashing guitar chords and the wavering tenor of Corgan sound incredible.



Their streak continued with the songs from their famous "Siamese Dream" album, in which Corgan expanded the bands sound with orchestral arrangements in songs such as "Disarm." They became known as a progressive hard rock band, and with Corgan's imagination for string arrangements, abrasive guitar chords and fantasy lyrics, they could never go wrong.



Their sound went through a variety of changes after Jimmy Chamberlain was taken off the band for drug addiction. Corgan started experimenting more with electronic drum machines, producing unique songs such as the gem "Eye," from the little known Lost Highway soundtrack. An even more memorable fourth album featured some of their most notable fantasy electro-pop songs, such as "Ava Adore" and "Perfect."



Jimmy Chamberlain came back, probably because the band wasn't as awesome without his speedy drum rolls and cymbal smashing. The awesome song "The Everlasting Gaze" from the "Batman & Robin" soundtrack was an excellent guitar grinding slam-fest. However, by the time their fifth album came out, Corgan lost his ability to write engaging hooks and melodies for his songs, making for some of the dull ballads at the end of "Greatest Hits - Rotten Apples."



This greatest hits collection is missing some of the Smashing Pumpkins best songs from the albums "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness." However, it makes up for its flaws with their two rare singles from film soundtracks, "Eye" and "The Everlasting Gaze." So although this could have featured more songs, at least we can be greatful that the Pumpkins finally included these two songs in a collection."