Opening with a bang is the dizzying "Cherub Rock," a song that serves as a perfect springboard into the heart of this album. It can shift in an instant between pulse-pounding (the deceptively-named "Quiet") and more progressive ("Hummer"). Corgan's range stretches even to the quiet ("Sweet Sweet"), the dramatic ("Disarm" with its bells and violins) or the catchy (the plaintive "Spaceboy").

Perhaps the most outstanding thing about the Pumpkins is their seamless blend of metal, neo-psychedelica and art-rock. The blasting electric riffs, sprawling melodies, and the whirling, sinuous guitars are all interwoven without so much as a sonic burp. At first glance, it seems like a fairly typical rock/metal album, but upon further listening, the alluringly complicated music begins to filter itself fully into your brain. Corgan's lyrics aren't for the perky among you -- angsty and introspective, while avoiding the trap of self-pity.

It's difficult to find a musical flaw with the Pumpkins in "Siamese Dream." Corgan's high voice flitters between murmuring and wailing. Backing him up are James Iha's layered, whirling guitar riffs and Jimmy Chamberlain's controlled, fast drumming. Acoustic guitar also gets to shine at the start of "Disarm." What sounds like church bells is even used.

Fiercely adventurious, brooding and expressive, "Siamese Dream" is a breathtaking ride into a majestic rock world all its own. Inventive and enticing, this is a modern classic.


Billy Corgan and His Way   May 1, 2000
 35 out of 38 found this review helpful

I have not been on the Smashing Pumpkins bandwagon for long. I missed the albums when they first hit; hell, the first song I heard by them was "Tonight, Tonight" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Needless to say, I had some catching up to do. Thankfully, that catching up included listening to this album, which I now consider a seminal/pivotal/simply amazing point in rock history. Billy Corgan does away with pretension by twisting it into glorious rock anthems and beautiful alt-pop. The kicker is that, while people wrote them off as depressionists, almost every moment on this CD can be compared with euphoric joy. Even in moments of rage, the beauty of the music shines through. Straight-out rockers such as "Geek U.S.A." and "Quiet" are singular yet grand in their guitar riffs, creating a near-primal feeling. Softer numbers such as "Spaceboy", "Disarm", and "Mayonaise" cause reflection and introspection on the listener's part, creating a more balanced record. The true killers on this album, though, are "Today' and "Soma". The first is the most melodic alternative rock ever written, while the second is the most sobering alt-rock ever written. In closing, while the Pumpkins may not be sure who they are anymore, I'll always love them for who they were.


Pure shoegazer-alt bliss.   February 13, 2003
 35 out of 40 found this review helpful

Although Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness was more ambitious and diverse, Siamese Dream is arguably the best album in the Smashing Pumpkins catalog.

In 1993, the Smashing Pumpkins were probably one of the most original bands of the alternative scene. With incredible soundscapes of guitar distortion, Billy Corgan's impassioned and ethereal vocals, and Jimmy Chamberlain's excellent drumming, these guys had a sound that was nothing like any alternative band of the time. Only My Bloody Valentine's Loveless (released in 1991) with its similar guitar-dominated sound could be considered as an influence, but Siamese Dream has its own distinct impact.

My, what a sound. Billy Corgan sounds better here than any other Pumpkins album--on later albums he sounded whiny; here he sounds obscure yet not overly shrill. The guitar playing is incredible (listen to the outro of Rocket) and the music grabs you by the collar and takes you in with its sweeping power.

Cherub Rock, with its slowly building opening leading to a bombastic arena rocker, is the perfect start to this album. After that, the double hit of Quiet and Today provides immense satisfaction. After Hummer and Rocket pass by leaving their audio imprint on you, the mood takes a sudden turn with the orchestral and haunting ballad Disarm which leads into the soft rock of Soma. The white-hot rage of Geek USA quickly rips through your ears before yielding to two more wonderful ballads--Mayonaise and Spaceboy. After that, the loud and powerful Silverf--k takes over. Finally, the album ends on a whisper with Sweet Sweet and Luna.

You won't be tempted to skip through a single track. Although future efforts were more ambitious, the Smashing Pumpkins never made an album this flawless again. You can't lose by adding this one to your collection.

..By the way, there's nothing really "explicit" about the lyrics. Even Silverf--k contains no profanity, except for the barely audible interludes.


Glorious Guitar Squalor   April 18, 2002
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

There's just something about the way "Today" explodes in your ears! Starting with James Iha's simple, quiet, melodic plucking and then the song just comes blasting into the great wide open, it's like going from black & white to brilliant technicolor in a few brief seconds! This is just one of many heartstopping, exhilarating moments on "Siamese Dream" and the past 9 years have been especially kind to the wonderful music Billy Corgan & Co. recorded back then. At the height of grunge when everyone else only knew 2 modes in music; angry and brooding, The Smashing Pumpkins actually recorded HAPPY sounding music, with actual melodies, hooks and full-length guitar solos! The rare thing about "Siamese...." is how it balances the bone-crunching riffs of heavy metal, the sprawling, psyhedelic sensibilities of 60's rock and the glorious guitar slendor of 70's art rock, all without sounding pretentious. This is a wondrous album to listen to in one long sitting. Give it some time and serious attention.
A Masterpiece by a groundbreaking band.


The killer in me is the killer in you, my love, I send this smile over to you   August 31, 2005
 19 out of 25 found this review helpful

Usually, a great band that you love, has one cd that seems to be superior to all others. Which seems to be a rare thing in music the last few years. What is even more rare is that the smashing pumpkins did that.....twice, back to back. Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness are two of the greatest rock album's not only of the 90's but of my generation. Listening to this album to me, is pure bliss. Billy Corgan is not only a great singer/ lyricist but a grea guitar player too ( along with James of course.) I can only hope that The Smashing Pumpkins do reunite like Billy has planned. Maybe they can save the music scene a bit. The Smashing Pumpkins are one of a kind, with the music to prove it.


Cherub Rock - 4.5/5 Famous for Jimmy's drum intro. Not all that is good here though. The guitar playing is tight and the perfect start to one of the best rock album's.

Quiet - 6/5 Don't let the title fool you, this song is anything but quiet. One of the best on here, great intro riff. Followed by some great take no prisoners drumming.

Today - 5/5 One of the most well known song's on here. For good reason too. The simple melodic guitar intro is great. "Today is the greatest day i've ever known......"

Hummer - 5/5 Definetly one of the more "epic" type songs here. Clocking in at nearly 7 minutes. Billy Corgan has some beautiful singing here.

Rocket - 4/5 Has some of the best guitar playing on here. Song really starts to kick in about a minute into the song.

Disarm - 10/5 Wow, one of the best. The acoustic guitar and keyboards give it such emotional atmosphere. Some of the most touching lyrics Billy Corgan has ever written. In my opinion of course.

Soma - 4.5/5 Following up an incredible song like "Disarm" is no easy task but Soma is able to hold its own. It begins slow but slowly picks up, great piano too.

Geek u.s.a - 4.5/5 Begins with some funky drumming then the distorted guitars show up and becomes a great rock song.


Mayonaise - 6/5 Starts out with some depressed guitar work. Between the guitar work and Billy's vocals this song is tough to beat.

Spaceboy - 15/5 Picking a favorite song on an album as good as this one, is no easy task. Spaceboy though, could definetly be that song. One of the most heartfelt smashing pumpkins song ever. The acoustic guitar is incredible and the chorus is just haunting. "Spaceboy, I missed you!"

Silverf*ck - 4/5 Drum's and bass really shine here. More tight musicianship here.

Sweet Sweet - 3.5/5 a short dramatic song that begins with some impressive electric guitar.

Luna - 5/5 Perfect closing song. The lyric's are quite good and reflective. What I always loved, is how heartfelt the lyric's feel when Billy Corgan sings them.



So, to end this. Should you buy this? In my opinion, yes. It is an album where every insturment shines and no filler. Everything fits. Enjoy