The Billy Corgan show, also known as the Smashing Pumpkins, returns after what seems like an eternity. Has it really been 14 years since Butch Vig-produced wall-of-sound that was 1993’s Siamese Dream hit the streets? Released amidst a gaggle of grunge, infinite alternative bands looking to cash in on a generation thirsting for something different, and an army of smoothed-out R&B / hip-hop jams, the Smashing Pumpkins’ follow up to their debut, 1991’s Gish stood out as a masterpiece of production and dynamic sound. Lead singer and all-around main Pumpkin Corgan had yet to discover his inner cue-ball / Lurch from the Addams Family look, but in teaming up with the man that produced Nirvana’s Nevermind, unleashed what many critics then and now consider one of the best albums of ’93. The Pumpkins’ last official release was 2000’s Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music, an online-only release that served as the band’s swan song…until now. This past week, the first single from the Smashing Pumpkins’ forthcoming Zeitgeist album appeared on iTunes and radio. My first listen to “Tarantula” served as a sonic recollection to a time when Siamese Dream tracks like “Geek USA”, “Cherub Rock” and “Quiet” ruled my world. “Tarantula” is in the vein of those tracks with its heavier-than-you drums courtesy of Jimmy Chamberlin, the only other original member of the band to join Corgan for the new album. There is a trademark slow down in the middle of the song that evaporates into squealing guitar before you can even realize that Corgan is taking you in a different direction. There is that familiar vocal sneer that Corgan is so adept at infusing his songs with. Most importantly, there is consistency. Where so many bands return after an extended hiatus only to falter under the exalted expectations of its loyal fans, “Tarantula” (entering the 40 at number 26 this week) feels as if the band never listened to the last 7 years of rap-rock, dirrrry South rap, or the glut of indie-rock that proliferated speakers everywhere. It’s business as usual for Corgan and his crew which bodes well for the new album, slated for release on July 10. Welcome back guys. Rock and roll has missed you.
LCD Soundsystem, the dance/rock/electronic/alternative/whatever label I’ve missed project that is essentially James Murphy, returns to the 40’s top spot for the second time this year with “All My Friends,” a 7-and-a-half minute, slow building banger that is powerfully understated with its hypnotic piano and hi-hat combination. My personal favorite line is “It comes apart, the way it does in bad films. Except in parts,when the moral kicks in.” After spending 6 weeks on the top of the 40 this year with Sound of Silver’s first single, “North American Scum,” LCD has returned to its rightful position. This song exhausts me in the best way possible.
Finally, after 7 months on the chart, Silversun Pickups’ “Lazy Eye” falls off. Twenty-eight weeks ago, the song started a stay that would include an amazing 11 weeks at #1. It is rare that a song gets that cozy at the top of the list and even rarer when the song is the first time I’ve heard the band. I spent considerable time listening to Carnavas, the Pickup’s first full-lenth release, obsessing not only over “Lazy Eye,” but most of its companion tracks as well. It was “Lazy Eye” that, for this guy, stood above the rest. Radio stations finally caught on to the track and as of this week, it’s sitting at #5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart after 19 weeks on it.
Enough talk, let’s get on with the rock.
- All my Friends / LCD SoundsystemiTunes Myspace Umm, James...you have a little something on your cheek.
- Teddy Picker / Arctic MonkeysiTunes Myspace
Again, no video for the song as it hasn't been released as a single yet, but here's the band performing on Jools Holland's show in the UK.
- Icky Thump / White Stripes iTunes Myspace
Jack and Meg finally have a video. Only a month until the full album drops.
- Invincible / MuseiTunes Myspace
- Black Thumbnail / Kings Of LeoniTunes Myspace
- The Heinrich Maneuver / InterpoliTunes Myspace
- Fly trapped in a jar / Modest MouseiTunes Myspace
- Stuck Between Stations / The Hold SteadyiTunes Myspace
- We used to Vacation / Cold War KidsiTunes Myspace
- True Love Way / Kings of LeoniTunes Myspace
- Weapon of Choice/ Black Rebel Motorcycle ClubiTunes Myspace
- Fans / Kings Of LeoniTunes Myspace
- Killing The Light / Black Rebel Motorcycle ClubiTunes Myspace
- Fluorescent Adolescent / Arctic MonkeysiTunes Myspace
- Sealings / Yeah Yeah YeahsiTunes Myspace
- Into Action / Tim Armstrong (w/ Skye Sweetnam) iTunes Myspace
- Saint John / Cold War KidsiTunes Myspace
- Missed The Boat / Modest MouseiTunes Myspace
- Windowsill / The Arcade Fire iTunes Myspace
- I am John / Loney, deariTunes Myspace
- Temptation Greets You Like Your Naughty Friend / Arctic MonkeysiTunes Myspace
- Pleased to Meet You / WolfmotheriTunes Myspace
- Australia / The ShinsiTunes Myspace
- Sea Legs / The Shins iTunes Myspace
- Hang me up to dry / Cold War Kids iTunes Myspace
- Tarantula / Smashing Pumpkins iTunes Myspace
- Keep the Car Running / The Arcade FireiTunes Myspace
- Windows / Black Rebel Motorcycle ClubiTunes Myspace
- You’re A Wolf / Sea WolfiTunes Myspace
- North American Scum / LCD Soundsystem iTunes Myspace
- Starlight / MuseiTunes Myspace
- Checkered Floor / Silversun PickupsiTunes Myspace
- Collection of Stamps / I’m From BarcelonaiTunes Myspace
- Sick Sick Sick / Queens of the Stone AgeiTunes Myspace
- Time Won’t Let Me Go / The BraveryiTunes Myspace
- Heart of Hearts / !!! iTunes Myspace
- Long Before Rock and Roll / Mando Diao iTunes Myspace
- See A Penny, Pick It Up / Yacht iTunes Myspace
- The Sleepless / The Shaky Hands iTunes Myspace
- Antichrist Television Blues / The Arcade Fire iTunes Myspace
