While
Gish
had placed
the Smashing Pumpkins
on the "most promising artist" list for many, troubles were threatening to break the band apart. Singer/guitarist/leader
Billy Corgan
was battling a severe case of writer's block and was in a deep state of depression brought on by a relationship in turmoil; drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin
was addicted to hard drugs; and bassist
D'Arcy
and guitarist
James Iha
severed their romantic relationship. The sessions for their sophomore effort,
Siamese Dream
, were wrought with friction --
Corgan
eventually played almost all the instruments himself (except for percussion). Some say strife and tension produces the best music, and it certainly helped make
one of the finest
alt-rock
albums of all time. Instead of following
Nirvana
's
punk rock
route,
went in the opposite direction -- guitar solos galore, layered walls of sound courtesy of the album's producers (
Butch Vig
and
), extended compositions that bordered on
prog rock
, plus often reflective and heartfelt lyrics. The four tracks that were selected as singles became alternative radio standards -- the anthems
"Cherub Rock,"
"Today,"
"Rocket,"
plus the symphonic
ballad
"Disarm"
-- but as a whole,
proved to be an incredibly consistent album. Such compositions as the red-hot rockers
"Quiet"
"Geek U.S.A."
were standouts, as were the epics
"Hummer,"
"Soma,"
"Silverfuck,"
plus the soothing sounds of
"Mayonaise,"
"Spaceboy,"
"Luna."
After the difficult recording sessions,
stated publicly that if
didn't achieve breakthrough success, he would end the band. He didn't have to worry for long -- the album debuted in the
Billboard
Top Ten and sold more than four million copies in three years.
stands alongside
Nevermind
Superunknown
as one of the decade's finest (and most influential)
rock
albums. ~ Greg Prato