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Smashing Pumpkins by Dusty Nathan
The Smashing Pumpkins band has morphed into something too guitar laden. Too much noise, that overpowers the soft-hurt tattling of singer-writer Bill Corgan. I love songs like Tonight, Tonight and 1979. But in concert they - like almost all SP work - get caught in a swirling dervish of axe unconsciousness. Every song doesn't need to by swallowed up in "Arena Rock" fashion and there is a lot to be said about a simple ballad.
When I want heavy metal or goth rock, I know where I can find it. Corgan needs to unplug once in a while and to show his world-class heart. The music that underlays his concerts (and most albums since 1993's Siamese Dreams) throws the baby out with the bath water.
Granted, this is not a young band anymore - but few can believe their first exposure was 20 years ago. They've been through the depressions, drugs, liquor and lust. Like Phoenix, they've risen from the ashes to headline a long world tour and I salute such arising, as we all need them from decade to decade.
Like those teenaged elephants that are no damned good until they bring in a huge older elephant to slap and stampede the teens silly, Corgan needs a manager. A tough, demanding man who won't let him make all the decisions for himself. Autonomy, in theory, sounds great. In Corgan's case, his decision-making is idiotic and con-artistic.
I wish I had time to apply for the manager gig and to let Corgan know why he needs to fire the pansy who has the job. This musical representation of anarchy gets tiring, and isn't tempered like most great heavy metal bands. Lastly, somebody needs to tell Corgan to stop complaining about people pirating his music free over the Internet. It sounds chincy and is.
Under the noise are poignant lyrics and a unique voice that is pleasant to listen to. Somebody needs to yank the plugs and let elocution set the tone, a least part of time. Corgan needs to stop hiding behind Fender and Alvarez.
By the way, Corgan really is a very good acoustic guitarist. He over-produces power when fronting with an electronic gun. It's all bad. But it's worse now, because sometimes he is playing places like the 9:30 Club or the Troc instead of the Garden or Forum. Please, turn down the amps to 10.
Finally, the new band is lacking. Yes, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin is iconic and a necessary evil for the SP to even use the name SP. When Corgan fired him after that drug death in NYC, the band limped along to finish a tour that shamefully stole money from its fans. This gang is zero without Chamberlin and his return is the backbeat the pumps Corgan up front. The problem comes about that lovers Jimmy Iha and Darcy Wretzky aren't lovers anymore and neither loves Corgan. Can you imagine them not accepting the invitation to go on a tour that would produce probably $10,000 or more each in nightly income?
Chicago, the city not the band, has produced some great music and art. Very few, though, are in league with Corgan and the SP.
http://www. smashingpumpkins. com/news_5140 (See live show vids here).
