Is "Zeitgeist" a good representation of the Smashing Pumpkins?

muppet

I had the chance to listen to the Pumpkin's new album today. I'm not really a fan of them; never really listened to them, only their hits and the only one that really stood out for me was "1979" which I love. But I thought I'd try their new album because I need a new band to cling on to fill my Audioslave-less world.

And it was crap :(. It's a shame because I really wanted to like it. Anyway, what I'm asking is, if I don't like this new record, will I like some of their older stuff? They always seemed like a very interesting band and I'd like to listen to them a bit more.

Sorry if you're sick of reading threads on the Pumpkins

culot4

I would probably start with Siamese Dream. If that record doesn't make you like SP than probably nothing will. Opinions I've read about Zeitgeist seem to be split pretty much down the middle.

prytocorduroy

^^^

Yeah start with Siamese Dream. Mellon Collie is damn good but it's a lot to take in for someone not really into them.

I love Adore, but that is a love/hate type album.

Zeitgeist I think is good, but the way they mixed Billy's voice is godawful in my opinion. The song Zeitgeist he sounds great so I know it's not Billy's voice specifically. I'd rank it under Gish, with that, Adore, Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie above it.



I do think the tone of the music on Zeitgeist is very Pumpkins though. Not classic Pumpkins, but evolved Pumpkins.

Pearl Jam and toast

culot4 wrote:

I would probably start with Siamese Dream. If that record doesn't make you like SP than probably nothing will.

Absolutely true.

It's not really a good representation of the Pumpkins.. It's missing the obscurity that marked all their records. It's pretty damn straitforward.

Though that's a noticable absence, I still think Zeitgeist is an excellent record.

Seriously though, get Siamese Dream and if you hate it just quit.

Pearl Jam and toast

danny72688 wrote:

^^^

Yeah start with Siamese Dream. Mellon Collie is damn good but it's a lot to take in for someone not really into them.

Yes.

I love Adore, but that is a love/hate type album.

Yes yes.

Zeitgeist I think is good, but the way they mixed Billy's voice is godawful in my opinion. The song Zeitgeist he sounds great so I know it's not Billy's voice specifically.

Yes yes yes. The songs actually sound better live than on record. Much better..

I do think the tone of the music on Zeitgeist is very Pumpkins though. Not classic Pumpkins, but evolved Pumpkins.

God yes! Evolved is the right word to use.

I didn't really add anything to this post but I wanted to agree with it

The Vacant

Go to http://www.archive.org and stream or download a couple of shows from different eras. There are some real nice audience recordings, some FM broadcasts, and an internet only released studio album.

Pearl Jam and toast

The Vacant wrote:

... and an internet only released studio album.

a.k.a. "Machina II". *nods*

Beware though: Pumpkins tended to be hit or miss live until about 1995 when they started to get their shit together.

1STmammal2wearPants

I dunno but I am going to purchase it as my first Pumpkins album on Tuesday. From Target too because Zeitgeist is a beautiful bonus track.