Robert Christgau: Dean of American Rock Critics

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Smashing Pumpkins

  • Lull [Caroline, 1991] Neither
  • Gish [Caroline, 1991] *
  • Siamese Dream [Virgin, 1993] ***
  • Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Virgin, 1995] Choice Cuts
  • Adore [Virgin, 1998] Neither
  • Machine/The Machines of God [Virgin, 2000] C+
  • Zeitgeist [Martha's Music/Reprise, 2007] Dud

Consumer Guide Reviews:

Lull [Caroline, 1991] Neither

Gish [Caroline, 1991]
if you can dig art-rock fantasia--and hey, why not?--this has a nice witchy wail to it ("Rhinoceros") *

Siamese Dream [Virgin, 1993]
hooked on sonics ("Geek U.S.A.," "Today") ***

Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Virgin, 1995]
"1979" Choice Cuts

Adore [Virgin, 1998] Neither

Machine/The Machines of God [Virgin, 2000]
Galloping into the wasteland just in time to save the world from an onslaught of meaningless pop comes a genuine Rock Band caterwauling tunefully about Things That Matter: the death of God, the rain that falls on everyone, "a boy and a girl, simple yes but eternal always," and, most significant of all, hearing one's "favourite song" on the radio. Makes sense that at this moment in history Al Gore's spiritual megrims seem so much more fascinating than Billy Corgan's-Gore might actually affect our lives. But what can it mean that his vocal cadences are sexier? C+

Zeitgeist [Martha's Music/Reprise, 2007] Dud