American Gothic - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » General » American Gothic

Similar Items:

•	That's the Way
•	Zeitgeist
•	Tarantula
•	Pisces Iscariot
•	Adore

Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

So grab my hand, should you believe there's a destiny? February 12, 2008
23 out of 23 found this review helpful

The Smashing Pumpkins (or at least half of them) reunited last year for new album "Zeitgeist" and a new tour.

And you know what that means -- when the Smashing Pumpkins make a new album, they usually have a bunch of discarded B-sides. While "American Gothic" is very brief -- only four songs -- it's a solid little EP that serves as a musically lighter addition to "Zeitgeist."

It starts off on a poppy note: "I love you/I don't even care/If it takes my life for heaven unaware/Sin for sin, I've let you in..." Corgan sings lightly of painful love, over ringing loops of guitar and a rather gauzy, elusive melody. "The atrophy, the cruel enough/this vision of oblivion/And when it ends it all begins... Before the world should end/When will I see you again?"

It's followed by the light, shimmering "Rose March," with Corgan rather incongruously singing "la la la" over a strummed guitar. And "Sunkissed" takes a more electronic approach, starting on a similarly acoustic note, but soft streams of synth start creeping in, giving it a hollow organ sound. It softens the plaintive lyrics ("If I'm gonna live/Without you/I've never chased a brighter sun than you'll become").

And as "American Gothic" winds down, the EP ventures back into rock'n'roll territory with "Pox," a sharp little song that bristles with angular riffs and cynical disdain. "We're giving back the dream," Corgan sneers. "Put up your dukes/You're not so strong.... another dumb kid/his shadow..."

"American Gothic" is basically a postscript to "Zeitgeist" -- these songs didn't fit on there, but Corgan and Co. played them on tour, and released them as part of a special edition. But to be perfectly honest, "American Gothic" sounds a lot better when you listen to it just for its own merits, and don't compare it to the blazing fuzzy rock of "Zeitgeist." They just don't sound similar -- this is more acoustic and low-key.

In fact, "American Gothic" sounds very light and sunny much of the time -- lots of acoustic guitars strummed in a mellow back-porch manner, but hung over with smashing drums and airy organ. But there's spare, angular rock'n'roll that simmers in the last half of "Again, Again, Again," and it finally gets to express itself in "Pox's" sharp riffs and drums.

And Corgan seems to be straddling love and despair ("So put my heart on your chopping block/And feed me fire/But don't let go") and musing on how a doomed love will destroy you, even as he casts a jaded eye on the world around us. His smooth, slightly nasal voice has a new passion that I haven't heard from him in awhile, especially since these songs are quieter, more personal material.

"American Gothic" is a nice little EP for the Smashing Pumpkins, though its quietly brokenhearted sound should be taken on its own merits. A pint-sized triumph.

5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeous return March 20, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

We all love a good Pumpkin rock out, but Billy is at his best when you can actually hear the snarl/sweet fight in his voice through the distortion. And while I admit I am a huge fan, the Pumpkins have lost me a little over the last few years.
I hope Billy decides to go with this sort of sound in the future; amazing and gorgeous. If you ever loved the Pumpkins for their light and dark layers, and vicious songwriting, BUY THIS. You won't be disappointed.

3 out of 5 stars

Acoustic Corgan tunes. (3.5) April 6, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Okay, I'll tell you something: There's no way I'm going to suggest you shell out FIFTEEN bucks for an album with just four songs, no matter how good those songs may be. However, where Corgan flirted a lot with electric guitar and the synthesizer during Zeitgeist, these songs are fairly down to earth sounding and has a side of the artist you wish you could hear more often. Nothing here is as good as "Zeitgeist" (on a limited edition release of the album), but the songs are at least listenable. "Pox" is my favorite of the bunch, with some of Billy's strongest melodies. That's what made the lush side of the group so great, anyway. I also enjoy "The Rose March" and its interesting scats in the beginning. It's not as ambitious or sentimental as one could hope for, but if you want to hear some more Pumpkins it is a nice turn in pace. Just nothing special.

4 out of 5 stars

ambiguous February 13, 2008
2 out of 10 found this review helpful

Billy always seems to be addressing a girl, God, and his fickle audience all at once; I can't decide if that's an easy or a hard thing to do.

4 out of 5 stars

The Pumpkins do not dissapoint, acoustically. February 27, 2008
Many fans of any band hate when that band changes its style. For the Pumpkins, there have been many critics and fans that have given negative reviews of their music since Adore. The truth is, they always seem to evolve. One song sounds totally different from the next on every album. That is what is so great about this band in my eyes. This little EP entitled 'American Gothic' has 4 acoustic songs that shouldn't disappoint a true Pumpkins fan.
'The Rose March' is a great song with mood and tempo changes and great lyrics.
'Again, Again, Again' is catchy and you will be singing the chorus in no time.
'Pox' is the odd ball to me, which doesn't make it bad. Again, I enjoy the lyrics.
'Sunkissed' might be my favorite here. I just like the rhythm of the acoustic guitar played here.
Corgans lyrics seem to display lots of love, well more than normal. I would say this started with their album Machina.
It is ok to evolve. If a band were to stand still, I would be quite bored with them. The Pumpkins never leave me feeling bored.

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

T-shirts, Posters

Pentagram T-shirts, bags, etc...

Gothic Posters