Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'Arcy.
Additional personnel: Brad Wood (vocals, organ); Bon Harris (vocals, programming); Dennis Flemion, Jimmy Flemion (vocals); Joey Waronker, Matt Cameron, Matt Walker (drums).
Engineers include: Brad Wood, Bjorn Thorsrud, Howard C. Willing.
ADORE was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance.
Personnel: Joey Waronker, Matt Walker (drums); Bon Harris (programming).
Audio Mixers: Eric Greedy; Jay Nicholas; Flood ; Robbie Adams; Billy Corgan.
Recording information: Battery; Chicago Trax; Hinge Chicago; Sadlands Studios; Sunset Sound Recordings; Village Recorder.
Photographer: Yelena Yemchuk.
In the wake of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin's departure, the Pumpkins have taken a giant step away from the grunge-flavored, turbo-powered alt-rock anthems that made them famous. On ADORE, Billy Corgan and company opt instead for a more scaled-down approach that relies heavily on acoustic instruments and ballads of love and longing. Corgan may still be expressing angst here, but he does it in an understated, romantic way, addressing matters of the heart with subtlety and maturity on tunes like "Shame" and "To Sheila."
Don't take all this acoustic-based balladry (a path also explored by James Iha on his solo debut) as a sign that the band is out of touch with contemporary production trends, though. Bon Harris of Nitzer Ebb is on hand to add a sprinkling of electronica to the proceedings via his programming talents. His contributions, like much of ADORE itself, remains modestly unobtrusive, providing just the right underpinning for some of the tunes. As the album ends with a solo piano instrumental, we're reminded that Smashing Pumpkins are a band who refuse to ossify, constantly changing and evolving. ADORE is just one more leg of their continuing journey.
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (6/11/98, pp.115-116) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...a complete break with the past....dials down the volume to lullaby level....overflows with heartsick valentines. Corgan...sings with an almost androgynous delicacy, sometimes supported by little more than a piano or a guitar..."
Entertainment Weekly (6/5/98, pp.78-79) - "...Corgan barely raises his voice to the angsty caterwaul that makes people either love him or hate him, but his voice and lyrics remain unsettled and unsettling. Pretty on the outside, the album is dark and obsessive beneath; let's call it passive-aggressive rock..." - Rating: B+
A much underrated album by the Smashing Pumpkins. The absence of drummer Jimmy Chamberlain is very noticeable but still this album is packed with good songs. Even though this album is much more stripped back and quiet it is still a very dark and heavy album. I am much looking forward to the Pumpkins next release in 2007.
Adore is quite different from the Smashing Pumpkins’ other material. It comes across as more atmospheric with an almost folksy feel, although they manage to keep their uniqueness in there too. The quality of the songs is fairly good and although it took me a while to like it, it is now one of my favorite of their albums. It’s the kind of music made for when you are in a certain mood.
adore is probably my favourite smashing pumpkins album, only because my favouroute songs from the band is one here, ava adore. the songs is awesome! all fans of the band should check this one out, the album belongs in all cd collections, its great. other favourites are tear and blank page.
adore is a great album by the smasjing pumpkins, i really really liek it! it has so many great songs on it, all of the tracks arelikeable and memorable. my favourite songs on here though, if ihad to pick some, would be Ava Adore, tear, the Tale Of Dusty And Pistol Pete and for martha. a really good album.
This title is unavailable for purchase as none of our regular suppliers have stock available. If you are the publisher, author or distributor for this item, please visit
this link.
