Smashing Pumpkins
Rotten Apples (Greatest Hits)
Virgin Records
The Smashing Pumpkins never really "broke up" as much as they kind of drifted out of earshot. So instead of relying on the inevitable 90s nostalgia movement to resurrect sales, Virgin has put out this collection not 12 months after the band's official demise. Unfortunately, this is indeed a "greatest hits" collection and not a "greatest songs" collection - thus the inclusion of radio fodder like "Disarm" and "Zero" which could have very easily been forgotten. Others like "Siva," "Cherub Rock," "Drown" (minus the last four minutes of glorious feedback! For shame!), and "1979" are timeless. Maybe someday Billy Corgan will be remembered as a great rock guitarist - he never seemed to get proper due during that area. He is, however, quite accomplished. This is made quite clear on disc two of this set, a collection of random B-sides and previously unreleased material that demonstrate the sheer versatility of this band. "Marquis in Spades" and "Aeroplane Flies High" are of the rocking breed - power chords and big drums - while "My Mistake" and "Soot and Stars" use piano and strings to great effect. The real find, though, is the curiously drunken cover of David Cook's glam classic "Rock On." Sneering vocals and squealing guitars wrestle with Van Halen references and some of the most exquisite percussive work in recent memory. Could there be a more fitting eulogy? Hey kids, rock and roll, rock on...-AW
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