Matt’s Take: I need to get it out of the way right now that I am an unabashed fanboy of The Smashing Pumpkins. They are the only band I have seen more than once live, and I will continue to add to that number once concerts become a thing again, and this album truly got me into them. Many Pumpkins fans would argue that “Siamese Dream” is the band’s true magnum opus, and in some respects I could see that. However, this album just holds so much sentimental value for me and provides many emotional powerhouses whether it be melancholy (obviously), rage, love, or fear. Say what you will about Billy Corgan as a person, but much like Kanye West, he truly is a troubled genius that gets his point across and makes the listener feel what he is feeling. The fact that Corgan was under 30 years old when this album was released genuinely astounds me, and seeing as how it has become one of the most revered works of maximalist music ever released is evidence to how he was wise and ambitious beyond his years. Everyone knows the track “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” and maybe even “Tonight, Tonight,” but I urge any self-proclaimed music fan to check out this album if they haven’t already. If you already love the album, definitely give it a revisit just to see how far its influence has reached since its initial release. This album will always hold a place in the top ten albums of my ever-evolving favorite albums list, and hopefully it affects newcomers to this level as well. An emotional and technical marvel that deserves all the praise it gets.
Three Standout Tracks: “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” “Thirty-Three,” and “Galapagos.”
Overall Score: 10/10
Hannah’s Take: Admittedly, The Smashing Pumpkins are one of those bands I’ve never gotten around to really listening to. So when Matt asked me to join him in reviewing “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” as it celebrated its 25th birthday this year, I was game. Very early on into the album, I understood why Matt is a Pumpkins fanboy. The emotional intensity of the album is unforgettable. From anger to sadness to uncontained joy, this album will take you on an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. What I like most about the record is the way that it strays away from the typical formula of any other hit album. It is longer and much more intense. And the songs really don’t have much relation to each other, except for fitting under the general theme of the emotions that go along with coming of age. Being the person that I am, I enjoyed the gentler, more subdued spots during the album. Don’t get me wrong, the production-heavy, rage tracks were good, too. But there is something really nice and quaint about tracks like “Cupid De Locke” when they’re up against the rage of the rest of the album. One thing I can say for certain upon finishing my first full listen of the album is this: “1979” is a classic, for sure, but it in no way represents The Smashing Pumpkins as a whole. The varied emotions and lyrics on display across the entirety of “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” leave something for absolutely everyone. This album had a little bit of everything and I know that regardless of what type of music you’re into, you’ll find something you genuinely enjoy on this album.
Three Standout Tracks: “Tonight, Tonight,” “Love,” and “Cupid De Locke”
Overall Score: 9/10