Lynch riffs on the third studio album from the Smashing Pumpkins, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” from October 1995 (1979 / Bullet with Butterfly Wings / Zero / Tonight, Tonight). STAFF PICKS: “Downtown” by Neil Young — Rob. “Lump” by The Presidents of the United States of America — Wayne. “Hard as a Rock” by AC/DC — Gregg. ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days". **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
The Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most successful bands of the 1990s, both commercially and critically. Their 30 million album sales worldwide makes a strong case for their importance to the alternative rock movement. The band was formed in Chicago by guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, percussionist Jimmy Chamberlin, and frontman/guitarist Billy Corgan. Corgan writes much of their material and has been the sole member to be continuously present in the group since their formation.
In 1995, Billy Corgan wrote about 56 songs and wanted to creat a double album. His vision was for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to be "The Wall for Generation X." The album was intended to be a conceptual piece portraying the cycle of life and death. The band brought in Flood and Alan Moulder to co-produce the album. Flood had the band change its routine for this album, having the group start recording in the rehearsal space rather than the studio in order to better capture their live sound. He also required the band to set aside time in each day for just jamming and song writing in order to keep the process from becoming a grind.
The result of this effort was both a critical and commercial success. "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" debuted at number 1 on the US Billboard 200, the only Smashing Pumpkins album to do so thus far. The 28 songs spanning two CD's, and three vinyl LP's earned the band nominations in seven categories at the Grammy Awards, and the band won the Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal for the single "Bullet with Butterfly Wings."
Lynch brings us this smashing multi-album for today's podcast.
1979
The second single from the album features loops and samples, more of a synth-pop sound than had been present previously in Smashing Pumpkin songs. According to Corgan, this song was the last of the 56 songs he wrote for the album. The lyrics paint a picture of the transition from youth to adulthood, waiting for something to happen just around the corner.
Bullet with Butterfly Wings
The lead single from the album was the band's first top 40 hit in the United States, reaching number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. Musically this track has a more grunge vibe than alt rock. The lyrics are a somewhat overly dramatic portrayal of the pain that comes from being a rock star and the downsides of fame.
Zero
The shortest song on the album relates to a feeling of apathy, and being let down by emotions and spirituality. "Intoxicated with the madness, I'm in love with my sadness." Corrigan's signature look is a black shirt with the word "ZERO" printed on the front.
Tonight, Tonight
The symphonic orchestration of this song shows some of the diversity of the tracks on this album. The inspiration for this song is Corgan's departure from Chicago to pursue his dreams, leaving an abusive childhood behind. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra participated in the recording with a 30-piece string section. This song went to number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 7 on the UK Singles chart.
STAFF PICKS:
Downtown by Neil Young
Rob open this week's staff picks with a grunge piece from the Godfather of Grunge. Members of the band Pearl Jam provide the backing instrumentation for this song and the album "Mirror Ball." The lyrics reference Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Page, and hippies doing the Charleston and the Limbo.
Lump by The Presidents of the United States of America
Wayne's staff pick is about a woman who is on the singer's mind like a lump of cancer in his brain. Clocking in at about 2 minutes, this is more of a punk song than alt rock or grunge.
Hard as a Rock by AC/DC
Gregg brings us the first and most successful single from AC/DC's thirteenth studio album "Ballbreaker." This album marks the return of drummer Phil Rudd to the band for the first time since 1983. This song has a more blues-oriented sound than the heavy metal sound more typical of their well-known songs from the 80's.
LEI (Laugh/Entertainment/Instrumental) TRACK:
Main Theme from the motion picture "Strange Days"
This science fiction film noir movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Angela Bassett takes us out of this week's podcast.