The Smashing Pumpkins // Siamese Dream (Remastered)

Ah. Hello there old friend. From the very first drum roll of this iconic album, first released in ’93 - my first year at university - my ears tune in to being 18 again. Flannel shirts, big black jumpers, DM boots and an occasional floppy dress were de rigeur, and Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins were top of my listening list. Just listen to how the drums scream in to 'Quiet', or how wistful 'Spaceboy' sounds. It’s still an amazing album, and was just a taster of the magnificence that the Pumpkins would demonstrate, through 'Zero' and 'Melon Collie' and the blah de blah. My appetite whetted by their debut album 'Gish', 'Siamese Dream' was the 'Nevermind' to Nirvana’s 'Bleach', the trickier, more commercial 2nd album. A total hit, you heard all the album tracks all the time, on the radio, down the disco, round at your mate’s. But here I am, gabbing on about what an important album it is... why the heck should you buy this new fangled version? I personally am not normally one for collector’s editions, and I have to say, although this one includes a great heft of stuff, including a live dvd, individual postcards for each song and a whole album of demos and remixes which were really cool to listen to, all I really want is those classic 13 tracks, accomplished beyond belief and so full of verve and heart. So my advice is, if you don’t know this album, buy it, and if your whole reason for living is the Pumpkins, buy the remastered fancy version. Just HAVE it. You know, in your house and in your ears. 

10/10 Lizz Page