Gish - Dark Publications

Location: Home » music » General » Gish

Similar Items:

•	Siamese Dream
•	Pisces Iscariot
•	Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
•	Adore
•	MACHINA/The Machines of God

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com essential recording
Upon the release of Gish--the group's debut--in the summer of 1991, more than one rock aficionado hailed the Smashing Pumpkins as the best band to come out of Chicago since Ministry. A bold statement, yes, but one backed up by Billy Corgan's Hendrix-like riffs and searing signature guitar tone. Intriguing songwriting is evidenced from the start as well, with the driving, amped-up rock of "I Am One," "Siva," and "Tristessa" contrasted with the soothingly eerie psychedelic flavor of "Rhinoceros" and "Window Paine." Gish predates the band's movement toward the loop-based electronic sounds heard in their late-'90s works, yet the seeds for this transition are definitely apparent. Electro guru Tricky even sampled the backbeat from "Suffer" in the tributary "Pumpkin" on his sex-soaked Maxinquaye. Butch Vig shows off his chops as producer and cultivates signature dramatic moods on Gish, which helped put the Smashing Pumpkins on the map as one of the most important alt-rock bands of the '90s--much to the delight of the decade's disenfranchised youth. --Brad Zinser

Customer Reviews: Read 136 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

The Beginning Was Beautiful, Too. May 7, 2004
22 out of 27 found this review helpful

Here is The Smashing Pumpkins' full-length debut album from 1991. The Pumpkins' sound here displays what we would come to expect from the gang: heavy, searing, multi-tracked guitars (which often gets compared to Brian May - of Queen fame), melancholic, dreamy soundscapes and lyrics, contrasts from heavy sounds to soft sounds. However, these are the beginning stages of what would fully blossom on later efforts like 1993's _Siamese Dream_, and 1995's _Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness_. While the heavy tracks feature the ethereal wall-of-sound that the Pumpkins are known for, this heaviness is not as full, lush, and oceanic as it would become on aforementioned following discs, but you can hear where the band was headed.

However, when taken as it is -- an album showing the band in it's earliest stages -- _Gish_ is an excellent, highly enjoyable album. It is hardly a disappointing album -- far, far from it. The Pumpkins' amalgamation of heavy (but melodic and dreamy) rockers and dreamy, atmospheric, psychedelic-tinged mellow tracks appear here, giving ample proof that the Pumpkins didn't necessarily change their sound over the years, but rather refined it. "I Am One" and "Siva" open up the album on hard-driving notes. The former could be heard on alternative rock radio stations, even to this day. Do you think that because The Smashing Pumpkins made hard-rockers, they used nothing more than simple power chords? Well, both these tracks feature arpeggiated chords that are beyond simple.

The hard-driving rockers are interrupted for what are possibly the most ethereal, wispy, mood-inducing six minutes on the album: "Rhinoceros" is such a heavenly beauty, and is without a doubt, my favorite track on this album. Billy Corgan's acquired vocal stylings blend perfectly with the dreamy atmospheres brought on by the guitar arpeggios, textured arrangements, and the treatment of them all. Many complain about Billy's voice, but what other vocalist could complement the Pumpkins' music as perfectly as his? Nobody I can think of (except maybe one of the other Pumpkins.. ), but regardless, his voice was an ethereal instrument unto itself.

Elsewhere, "Crush" seems to foreshadow "Thirty-Three," as it's a dream-folk track (it's very hard to categorize in exact terms.) Billy's vocals are lovely here. "Snail" is a moody piece that seems to share a kinship with most adult contemporary music -- except this rocks harder, and the lyrics are probably a bit more inscrutable. The rocker "Tristessa" sounds like it could have been a dry run for "Cherub Rock." Listen to some of those whacked-out fills from drummer extraordinaire Jimmy Chamberlain. "Window Paine" is almost as mood-inducing as "Rhinoceros," and takes it's time by resting on one or two chords, which build up to an explosive, cathartic climax, and the ethereal, acoustic closer "Daydream" features bassist D'Arcy on lead vocals, followed by a brief coda from Billy.

An excellent album from an excellent band, of whom I miss dearly. Definitely worth owning, but if you're new to the Pumpkins, start with _Siamese Dream_ first.

5 out of 5 stars

Great stepping stone to their future successes... August 24, 1998
11 out of 12 found this review helpful

In all fairness though, this is still an excellent accomplishment from Billy Corgan and company. Yes, it is more guitar heavy than Siamese Dream, Mellon Collie, or Adore (Pisces Iscariot I didn't include because that covers all of the b-sides from Gish and Siamese Dream, therefore it isn't a good album to be used as a measure), but consider that all of their live shows are just like Gish in their raw guitar power, and when Gish was recorded the Smashing Pumpkins were still a relatively new band who only had experience on stage, not in the recording studio. I Am One, Siva, Bury Me, and Tristessa will get your speakers booming with their grinding rythms, while Suffer and Daydream seem to around the room on a wave of soft melodies. One cannot count out Rhinoceros though, for this one song captures the best of both types of SP songs. So, to pumpkins fans new and old who don't have this album, buy it for it's sheer artistry at a time when Nirvana and the "grunge" sound ruled the airwaves, but more so, buy it because it still stands out as a great accomplishment from the Smashing Pumpkins

5 out of 5 stars

Their first and also their best September 21, 2000
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Woe for the days when the Smashing Pumpkins were the hottest item on the Chicago club circuit and WXRT was the only radio station in the country playing "Gish." That was way back in 1991. I was mesmorized by this album then, and the feeling has never changed. As the Pumpkins have exploded into mass popularity, their music has grown more pompous and less interesting. Not so here. Listen to the great cuts "Rhinocerous," "Suffer," "Tristessa" and "Window Paine" and you'll be hooked. An excellent low key debut from a band that eventually got too big for their own good.

4 out of 5 stars

Overlooked January 27, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

(4.5 Stars)

The Pumpkins' 1991 debut album "Gish" has the unfortunate duty of living in the shadow of "Siamese Dream" and "Mellon Collie..". In fact, I've heard many people wrongfully refer to "Siamese Dream" as their first album.

But "Gish" is really good. It's not as layered and experimental as "Siamese Dream" or as diverse and bombastic as "Mellon Collie" or as gorgeous as "Adore", but it's really good! Don't overlook it!

There's powerful, guitar-driven rockers like "I Am One", "Tristesta", and "Bury Me" that the Pumpkins do so well. They seem like a bit noisy and tuneless at first, but there's a lot of melodies to be uncovered.

"Rhinocerous" is a cool song that starts off all hushed and dreamy, then explodes at the end with a killer jam session. Billy Corgan may have a giant ego, but he can toss off some incredible guitar solos..and Jimmy Chamberlain has always been an awe-inspiring drummer.

"Suffer" is a hushed, moody song that never 'explodes'. Quiet through and through, and it becomes glorious after a few listens. "Snail" is even better; this wasn't even a single, but it's the most upbeat, anthematic, catchy piece of rock on here. It's one of my all time favorites from them.

Other highlights include the Eastern-tinged hard rock of "Siva", the gorgeous ballad "Crush", and the brooding, volatile "Window Paine" (which culminates in another groovy jam session).

A little hard rock, a little psychedelia, a little pop, a little artsy; that's "Gish". A terrific album. With each listen, you'll discover more and more to like about it.

Best Songs: Suffer, Snail, Siva, Crush, Rhinocerous, I Am One.

5 out of 5 stars

Great start for a great band October 2, 1998
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

The smashing pumpkins were truly Billy Corgan on every instrument except drums when this album was released. Corgan's total control over the playing of this album is evident to anyone who ever saw him perform live before their Siamese Dream tour, or at least in the beginning of it. I think that the album is wonderful and is better than anything most bands have accomplished. Here is my song by song breakdown: I Am One- The song that addicts you to this album, it rocks and you know that the band does too. Siva-I love the rythmn guitar in this one...it kinda wants to rock even more than it does the whole time and pulls the listener along with it.("I just wanna get there faster.") The exit from the soft lyrics back into the guitar driven song is fantastic. Rhinoceros-I kinda skipped over this one the first time I heard the album so many years ago. Then this cool girl I know mentioned it to me and I listened and it quickly went to the top of my list. Don't know if it is the song or the girl. Bury Me-Great song that gets by being scratchy cause of some creative adjustment on the guitar by Billy. His solo before he wails out "She waits...to bury me" is really good. Is worth the whole song right there. Crush-I'm not sure what the band thought of this one, I love it. If this song ever gets associated with an event in your life it will forever define that event. It has a lot of emotion. I feel his lyrics here are some of the most sincere of the album. Suffer-Chill song that neither impresses nor repels. I am ambivalent on this one. The end of the song seems promising but never materializes. Snail-Another one that I skipped over on first play...fortunately for me I quickly corrected that mistake and began enjoying a wonderful song that almost sounds like Collective Soul wrote it(sorry but it does) though since Billy and co perform it does really well. Only the excessive distortion hiss reminds you that this could never be top40. Tristessa-I was never a big fan of this song. But most fans seem to like it and I don't want to turn anyone off from a song they may like. I do like the guitar and vocal mix. Window Paine-This song is my personal favorite on the album. I like it cause it has a number of different parts that all grow on you. Jimmy really comes through with his drumwork on this song and it gives you the pre-game jitters. Daydream-There has to be a bomb on every album I guess. So, this album is in fact great. I love the personal feeling it has, pumpkins pre-arena sound. I'm sure that people have left the CD running and heard Billy's last little bit...you gotta love it. If you don't get this album you will go crazy.

WCH

Powered by Associate-O-Matic

T-shirts, Posters

Pentagram T-shirts, bags, etc...

Gothic Posters