Product Description

When SIAMESE DREAM was initially released in the summer of 1993 it was hailed as alternative rock's first great post-NEVERMIND hope. And while it has gone on to become an overwhelming commercial success, it has also helped further re-draw the artistic borders of "alternative" music.
By combiningneo-psychedelic AOR guitars (band-members proudly claim Boston as an influence) with Pumpkin auteur Billy Corgan's "outsider" lyrical stance, SIAMESE DREAM creates a rebel image; but one with a wandering eye towards mainstream acceptance as well. Consequently, Smashing Pumpkins are equally successful relating to young lollapaloozers and to classic rock radio.
The album's immediate attraction is plain to see. Corgan and co-producer Butch Vig have sculpted a sonic wall of guitars--in some cases, using up to 32 separate guitar trackson a single song--that is electrifying in its sheer scope and power. Along with Jimmy Chamberlain's powerhouse drumming, guitarists Corgan and James Iha's thick sound endows SIAMESE DREAM with a fresh feel that holds up even on repeated listens--and how many other "top ten" albums can you say that about?

Track Listing

1. Cherub Rock
2. Quiet
3. Today
4. Hummer
5. Rocket
6. Disarm
7. Soma
8. Geek U.S.A.
9. Mayonaise
10. Spaceboy
11. Silverfuck
12. Sweet Sweet
13. Luna

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2856 in Music
• Released on: 1993-07-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics

Amazon.co.uk Review
An introductory drum roll drops out and is replaced by a single suspended electric guitar, which is then paralleled by a snare, filled in with the bass, and--crash!--"Cherub Rock", the opening track, is enveloped in an explosion of metal guitar. So the journey begins. This album is pre-experimentation vintage Pumpkins. Produced by Butch Vig (Garbage, Sonic Youth, Nirvana's Nevermind), Siamese Dream is first about guitars. Lots and lots of guitars. A very close second is Jimmy Chamberlain's unquestionably excellent power drumming. Throughout each song, Billy Corgan delivers angsty lyrics in his signature breathy whine. "Disarm" is a nice intermission halfway though the album. As the title of the song suggests, it throws the listener into a different mood with its full string arrangements and radiant orchestral chimes. But then it is back to the aural masochism--a pain that rarely sounds so sweet. --Beth Bessmer

Customer Reviews

Yet another 5 star review
Just had to add my 5 star review to the pile. This is a timeless, classic album. The songs are still as fresh today as they were 15 years ago. And especially when played live!

Think Amazon should have a special category for albums with 100% 5 star reviews. Can't be too many of them.

61 all five star reviews
Need I say more
Never seen that before
This was my favourite album for many many years - nothing has ever come close

The Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
A Classic, both in the Grunge and Alternative Rock genres. Siamese dream saw the Pumpkins massively develop on Gish, their debut, to craft an album of musical and songwriting brilliance that created a platform from which, much of their future work would develop.

There's nothing not to like. Siamese Dream is 13 tracks, of wall to wall hits, displaying Billy Corgan's talent as an innovative songwriter, using a multitude of techniques and styles to facilitate complexity within apparently simplistic music. Cherub Rock, bustling with chord progressions, Guitar Solos and layering amid such a basic tune, is an excellent example of the sonic harmony between the simple and the technical that makes Siamese Dream an addictive and rewarding listen.

Its a testament to the Record that The Smashing Pumpkins still play several of its tracks live today, and that musical ideas spawned on this album have gone on to influence not only the rest of the Pumpkins' career, but also that of many other bands of the 90's and 00's. Unquestionably worthy of a place in any rock fan's CD rack.