Adore (album)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Adore | ||
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| Studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins | ||
| Released | June 2, 1998 | |
| Recorded | December 1997 - March 1998 at Sound City in Van Nuys, California | |
| Genre | Alternative rock | |
| Length | 72:51 | |
| Label | Virgin Records | |
| Producer(s) | Billy Corgan with Brad Wood | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
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| The Smashing Pumpkins chronology | ||
| Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995) |
Adore (1998) |
Machina/The Machines of God (2000) |
| Alternate cover | ||
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| Adore (U.S. vinyl edition) | ||
Adore is the fourth studio album from Chicago alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Virgin Records released the album on June 2, 1998 in the United States. Adore is the Pumpkins' only album not to feature original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.[1] Adore marked a change in sound for The Smashing Pumpkins; Greg Kot of Rolling Stone magazine noted that the album "isn't just a transitional record; it's a complete break with the past".[2] Their previously layered, guitar-oriented sound was largely replaced by a quieter and more electronic influenced sound, and incorporated drum machines and synthesizers for the first time. For the release, the band shed their alternative hipster image for a more subdued Gothic look.
Despite being "one of the most anticipated albums of 1998",[3] Adore was a commercial disappointment, and sold in numbers below their previously albums Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. However, the album was well received by critics, and received a nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards.[4]
Contents |
[edit] Background
In January 1996 The Smashing Pumpkins released "1979", the band's most successful single and their first foray into electronic music. The song marked a departure from the typically guitar-oriented alternative rock sound of Gish and Siamese Dream. Meanwhile, the band gave interviews stating that Mellon Collie would be the last conventional Pumpkins record,[5] while James Iha later remarked that "The future is in electronic music. It really seems boring just to play rock music."[6]
Unexpectedly, the band fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. While on tour in support of Mellon Collie, the band's drummer Jimmy Chamberlin and touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin shot heroin together on July 11. Melvoin died of an overdose, and Chamberlin was arrested and charged for possession. The band said in a statement days later that "we have decided to carry on without him, and we wish him the best that we have to offer."[1]
A year later, the Pumpkins released "The End is the Beginning is the End", a single for the Batman and Robin soundtrack. The song incorporated electronic elements, yet retained the hard rock edge of the band's previous material, making much of the Pumpkins' earlier statements of a change in style seemed unfounded. Following the release of the single, The Smashing Pumpkins began to record the follow-up to Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness; one of the best-selling albums of the 1990s.[7]
[edit] Recording
In August 1997, the remaining band members entered Chicago Trax Recording and Hinge in Chicago, with temporary replacement drummer Matt Walker and producer Brad Wood —with whom Corgan previously had worked in the early 1990s.[8] Unhappy with the sessions, Corgan scrapped the tapes, and relocated to Los Angeles. He felt Wood was unsuitable for the role, and later remarked that the producer "needs to work with someone like Liz Phair, whom he can mold, and I'm not the kind of person you can mold."[9] Wood was not asked to rejoin the Pumpkins in L.A., and previous producer Flood was brought in to serve as engineer and advisor on the album.
Before the move to L.A., the had band made a number live appearances, during which several new tracks were debuted. The shows included Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit,[10][11] a surprise gig opening for Jane's Addiction[12] and two shows opening for The Rolling Stones.[13] Attendees were treated to several new songs, including "Ava Adore", "Behold! The Night Mare" and "To Sheila". The second date with The Stones was to be the final show with Matt Walker, as he left the band to pursue a career with The Cupcakes.[14][15]
In December 1997, recording began at Sound City in Van Nuys, California, with ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron,[16] while Beck drummer Joey Waronker was called in to contribute drum tracks.[17] The Pumpkins worked with the legendary producer Rick Rubin on "Let Me Give the World to You". Corgan later remarked that the recording of the song and the experience with Rubin was unsuccessful, and it was not included on the album. Sessions were wrapped up early in 1998. By post production, thirty songs were being considered for inclusion on the album, and at one point, it looked to be set to be a double album.[18] Of those, only 16 made the final cut.
[edit] Music
Adore is drastically different in approach and style from previous Pumpkins albums, and distorted guitars were notably absent from the album. Corgan explained the new sound by remarking that that he was not "talking to teenagers anymore. I'm talking to everyone now. It's a wider dialogue. I'm talking to people who are older than me and younger than me, and our generation as well."[9] Guitars are used sparingly throughout the seventy-two minutes, and are incorporated to complement the music rather than dominate it. Iha's guitar playing had reached new heights and even a new role within the band, providing many lead riffs and effects in the music rather than rhythm playing.
- "Ava Adore" (file info) — play in browser (beta)
- Sample of "Ava Adore", the first single from Adore (1998), which emphasizes the band's new electronic music-based sound via the use of drum machines and effects.
- Problems listening to the file? See media help.
Piano is dominant in most songs; in particular the tracks "Annie Dog", "For Martha", "Blank Page" and "Crestfallen". The track "Appels + Oranjes" is completely synthesized - performed entirely on electronic instruments apart from Corgan's vocal work. The track "Tear" was a song that was left off the Lost Highway soundtrack in favour of the electronic song "Eye". Its instrumentation is similar to that of "Eye". Many fans who had heard bootleg recordings of the Viper Room show were disappointed at the absence of "Blissed and Gone", known at the time as "Need"; on the album, it is represented only by a brief piano instrumental titled "17".
Apart from being the first album without Jimmy Chamberlin, Adore was the first album not to include writing contributions from Iha. This was largely due to Iha's focus on his solo album Let It Come Down. However, he did contribute the track "Summer", which was released as a b-side to the single "Perfect". Although Corgan had played the majority of the guitar and bass tracks on previous recordings, Iha and Wretzky had taken on increasing instrumental roles since Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Critic Greg Kot noted that "Iha's quirky guitar accents and Wretzky's unflashy resolve [. . .] give Adore a warmth and camaraderie no other Pumpkins album can match."[19]
[edit] Promotion and release
In January 1998, Corgan described the new album as "arcane night music",[20] which was contrary to the rumour at the time that the album would be acoustic.[21] Corgan had stated "... The people that say it's acoustic will be wrong. The people that say it's electronic will be wrong. The people that say it's a Pumpkins' record will be wrong. I will try to make something that is indescribable."[22] It was around this time that it was announced that The Smashing Pumpkins' fourth album would be titled Adore. Corgan debuted ten new songs in a short set at Johnny Depp's Viper Room in L.A.;[23] only one, "Let Me Give the World to You", was not released in some form on the final album. Iha played a short set of songs from his new solo album, Let It Come Down.
Kenny Aronoff, drummer for high profile acts like John Mellencamp and Melissa Etheridge, agreed to join the Pumpkins for their upcoming tour after Matt Walker's departure.[24] Waronker was invited to join the tour, but declined as he requested higher pay than what the band had offered. More musicians were announced to be joining the Pumpkins on tour, including violinist Lisa Germano,[25] percussionists Dan Morris and Stephen Hodges, and pianist Mike Garson.[26]
The band headed to London to film a video for the album's first single "Ava Adore". Their highest budgeted video yet, "Ava Adore" featured a large cast of extras and was filmed in one continuous shot. The three Pumpkins showed off a new image adopted for the new album - an almost Gothic look, featuring elegant robes and make-up. While in Europe, The Smashing Pumpkins began their tour for Adore, just before its release, performing on BBC's "Later with Jools Holland".[27]
Adore was released to most of the world on June 1, 1998 and in the U.S. on June 2. Some radio stations even aired the album in its entirety the night before. As was becoming increasingly common with larger bands, the album was leaked on the Internet some weeks before the release. The video for "Perfect" was shot in Los Angeles in July of 1998.[28] Ultimately, "Perfect" was not quite as strong as the lead single, "Ava Adore", and the success of the album lagged.
[edit] An Evening with The Smashing Pumpkins
The Pumpkins embarked on what would be their most ambitious tour yet, An Evening with The Smashing Pumpkins. Starting in Europe and eventually making their way around most of the world,[29] The Pumpkins played at several unconventional venues, including the rooftop of a FNAC record store in Paris, France,[30] at the Cannes Film Festival,[31] and at an International Shipping Harbor in Sydney, Australia.[32] These odd venues were usually shortened sets, however, and full shows were played in more traditional venues.
In America, the Pumpkins did not perform at unconventional venues as they had done on the European and Pacific legs of their tour. However, for the American tour, the Pumpkins still chose to do something special--they donated 100% of the ticket proceeds to charity. In every city they performed in the Pumpkins would pick a local charity and designate it as the recipient of the night's concert. In the end, the Pumpkins, with the help of their fans, raised over $2.8 million for charity.[33]
The Pumpkins hired a much larger number of musicians for this tour than they ever had previously. The line-up for the tour, excluding the core band members, included Kenny Aronoff on drums, Mike Garson on piano and keyboards, Stephen Hodges and Dan Morris on percussion, and Lisa Germano on violin. Germano left the tour for undisclosed reasons very early in the first leg, and was never replaced. This large line-up enabled the band to put together new arrangements of their new songs, leaving most of them to sound quite different from their album versions; for example, the quiet acoustic song "To Sheila" was turned into a lengthy, powerful song with a full band, and the electronically driven single "Ava Adore" was turned into a distorted short rock song.
The Smashing Pumpkins performed songs every night from a very small and strict repertoire. The new set was made up mainly of Adore songs, some of which were played every night, though others were played sparingly or never at all. No songs prior to Mellon Collie were performed, which eliminated some of the band's biggest hits including "Today" and "Disarm"; however, both "Today" and "Disarm" were eventually performed - acoustically - near the end of the tour, in late 1998.[34] Several songs from Mellon Collie were the only remainders of the band's earlier material, though even the previously successful single "Zero" was played only a few times during the whole of the tour.[35]
[edit] Reception and aftermath
Public reception to Adore was lukewarm.[36] Adore entered the U.S. charts at #2 with a solid — but not exceptional — 174,000 units. After eight weeks, it dropped out of the Billboard Top 40. Promotion for Adore finished by the end of 1998, a particularly short run for an album when considering the 2 year touring and promotion schedule for Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It finished with merely 2 singles - a third, "Crestfallen", was planned but never released.
In comparison, critical reception was generally positive. Greg Kot of Rolling Stone magazine regarded Adore as "the most intimate album the Pumpkins have ever made and also the prettiest, a parade of swooning melodies and gentle, unfolding nocturnes."[2] Ryan Schreiber of Pitchfork Media described the album as "the Pumpkins' best offering since Siamese Dream."[37] All Music Guide described the album as "a hushed, elegiac album that sounds curiously out of time," though he noted that the album "ultimately isn't a brave step forward."[38] Most recently, Adore was considered one of "an inspiring range of 25 classic alternative American albums" by The Guardian.[39]
In terms of commercialism, Adore was not a success, especially when compared to their previous albums Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Despite this, Adore still remains a staple of The Smashing Pumpkins' catalogue. Songs from the album were still performed in subsequent tours for Machina/The Machines of God with Jimmy Chamberlin back at the drums.[40] As of May 2005, Adore has sold 1.1 million units in the U.S., but has sold at least three times as many copies worldwide.[19] Adore was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in July 1998.[41]
[edit] Artwork
The artwork and photography for the album booklet was designed by Corgan's then-girlfriend Yelena Yemchuck.[42] The cover of the album, and subsequent singles and radio promo singles all feature a woman in black and white. The vinyl release features a slightly different cover than the CD cover: a different photo of the model, more colour and the absence of the album title (although some versions of the cover do show the title). In color, it is evident that the model is seated in a giant hibiscus flower, something not as apparent on the CD cover.
The artwork in the album booklet contains several photographs of the band, as well as a pictures of a goat, buildings, a lone tree, and someone in a window. The band members photos include a shot of them on a grassy hill beneath a bare tree, and a close-up of Corgan, while a photo of D'arcy wearing a sheer blouse reveals her breasts. All of the photos in the booklet are black and white, sometimes placed against a purple background.[43]
[edit] Track listing
- "To Sheila" – 4:40
- "Ava Adore" – 4:20 Audio sample
- "Perfect" – 3:23
- "Daphne Descends" – 4:38
- "Once Upon a Time" – 4:06
- "Tear" – 5:52
- "Crestfallen" – 4:09
- "Appels + Oranjes" – 3:34
- "Pug" – 4:46
- "The Tale of Dusty and Pistol Pete" – 4:33
- "Annie-Dog" – 3:36
- "Shame" – 6:37
- "Behold! The Night Mare" – 5:12
- "For Martha" – 8:17
- "Blank Page" – 4:51
- "17" – 0:17
[edit] Outtakes
The following songs are those that were written and recorded for Adore but did not make the final cut, were not complete or did not get past the demo stage.
- "48 Chords": the working title for an instrumental piece in which the chord sequence did not uniquely repeat until 48 successive chords were played. The song has never been released in any form, including bootlegging, but was mentioned in one of Corgan's blog entries.[44]
- "Because You Are" released in 2001, on Judas 0.[45]
- "Blissed and Gone": released in 2000, on the Still Becoming Apart promotional CD, and on Judas 0.[45]
- "Cash Car Star" re-recorded in 1999 and released in 2000 on Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music[46] and has been played live numerous times.[47]
- "Chewing Gum": not available on any commercial release, but later considered a demo.[48]
- "Czarina": released in 1998 as a b-side on the "Ava Adore" single.[49]
- "Do You Close Your Eyes": Adore demo, never commercially released but circulating via bootleg.[48]
- "Let Me Give the World to You": Re-recorded in 1999 and released in 2000 on Machina II.[46]
- "My Mistake": released on Judas 0.[45]
- "Once in a While": released as a b-side on the "Ava Adore" single[49] and was played live only once as a part of band's 2000 promo tour Resume a Pose with Corgan playing piano.
- "Saturnine": released on Judas 0,[45] and was later re-recorded and released in 2000 on Machina II.[46]
- "Sparrow": released on Judas 0.[45]
- "Summer": released in 1998 as a b-side on the "Perfect" single, and is the only song recorded for Adore which contains songwriting and lead vocals credited to James Iha.
- "Waiting": released in 2000 on the promotional release Machina/Machines of God and on Judas 0.[45]
[edit] Personnel
Information from All Music Guide and Adore's liner notes.[50][43]
- Billy Corgan - Producer, Art Direction, Design, Mixing, Vocals, Guitar, Piano
- D'arcy - Bass, Vocals
- Flood - Mixing
- James Iha - Guitar
- Chris Shepard - Engineer
- Bjorn Thorsrud - Engineer, Digital Editing
- Howie Weinberg - Mastering
- Howard Willing - Engineer, Assistant Engineer
- Brad Wood - Producer, Engineer
- Neal Perry - Engineer
- Matt Cameron - Drums (on "For Martha")
- Joey Waronker - Drums
- Robbie Adams - Engineer, Mixing
- Bon Harris - Programming
- Ron Lowe - Assistant Engineer
- Andy VanDette - Digital Editing, Compilation
- Eric Greedy - Mixing
- Frank Olinsky - Art Direction, Design
- Matt Walker - Drums
- Jimmy Flemion - Producer
- Ed Tinley - Assistant Engineer
- Yelena Yemchuk - Art Direction, Design, Photography
- Jay Nicholas - Mixing
- Matt Prock - Assistant Engineer
- Jeff Vereb - Engineer
- Steve Johnson - Assistant Engineer
[edit] Chart positions
[edit] Album
| Year | Album | Chart positions | |||
| Billboard 200[51][52] | Top Canadian Albums[52] | UK Album Chart[53] | Australian Highest Selling Albums[54] | ||
| 1998 | Adore | #2 | #2 | #5 | #47 |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | ||||||
| Modern Rock Tracks[55][56] | Mainstream Rock Tracks[55][56] | Canadian Singles Chart[56] | UK Singles Chart[53] | Australian Singles Chart[57] | The Billboard Hot 100[55][56] | Adult Top 40[56] | ||
| 1998 | "Ava Adore" | #3 | #8 | #9 | #11 | #34 | #42 | N/A |
| "Perfect" | #3 | #33 | #13 | #24 | N/A | #54 | #31 | |
[edit] References
- ^ a b Errico, Marcus (1996-07-17). Smashing Pumpkins Drum Out Jimmy Chamberlin (http). Eonline.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg (1998-05-18). Smashing Pumpkins Adore. RollingStone.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Smashing Pumpkins Set Release Date, Track Listing For "Adore". MTV.com (1998-04-28). Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ 41st annual Grammy nominees and winners (http). CNN.com (1999-02-24). Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Di Perna, Alan. "Zero Worship," Guitar World. December 1995.
- ^ Graff, Gary. "Smashing Pumpkins—Rave of the Future," Guitar World. December 1996.
- ^ Top 100 Albums (http). Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA.com). Retrieved on 2006-11-07.
- ^ Pumpkins To Record With Brad Wood. Rollingstone.com (1997-07-04). Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ a b Bansal, Sachin. The Smashing Pumpkins Chronology: The Adore Era: 1998. Starla.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Bridge Benefit XI (Oct. 18 & 19, 1997). Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ The Bridge Benefit Holds Some Suprises. MTV.com (1998-10-27). Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Carmichael, Matt (1997-11-04). News Flash: Pumpkins Open For Jane's Addiction. VH1.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ The Rolling Stones 1997 Tour Dates. The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Worley, Gail. Matt Walker From Pumpkins To Cupcakes. Moderndrummer.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Hindin, Seth (1997-11-18). Walker Leaving Smashing Pumpkins. Rollingstone.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Matt Cameron Hanging With The Pumpkins?. Rollingstone.com (1997-12-09). Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Joey Waronker. McDSP.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ NME Staff (1998-01-24). Pumpkins Reveal Details of Lengty Adore Sessions (http). NME. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ a b Kot, Greg. "Pumpkin Seeds," Guitar World. January 2002.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (1998-01-14). Pumpkins Recording Album of "Arcane Night Music" (http). Addicted to Noise/JamesIha.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (1997-09-10). News Flash: Smashing Pumpkins Next LP All Acoustic. VH1.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ Billy Corgan Says Fans May Be Surprised By Next Pumpkin's LP. MTV.com (1998-02-26). Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ 1998-01-15, Viper Room. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Kenny Arnoff - News Archive 1998. Kennyaronoff.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ SMASHING PUMPKINS WANNA BE 'ADORE-D'. NME.com (1998-04-05). Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ NEWS - NEW TOUR DATES! (http). Virginrecords.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND: LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND[15/05/98]. ftvdb.bfi.org.uk. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Smashing Pumpkins Shoot "Perfect" Video, Mull Recording Future. MTV.com (1998-07-30). Retrieved on 2007-02-13.
- ^ 1998. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ 1998-06-04, FNAC Rooftop. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ 1998-05-18, Cannes Film Festival. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ 1998-06-19, International Shipping Harbor at Circular Quay. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ MTV News staff (1998-09-22). Smashing Pumpkins Raise Over $2.8 Million on Charity Tour (http). MTV.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ 1998-12-12, Shrine Auditorium. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Zero. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
- ^ Fricke, David (1998-12-29). When Billy Corgan Speaks... (http). RollingStone.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Schreiber, Ryan (1998-06-01). Smashing Pumpkins Adore. Pitforkmedia.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Adore. Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ Win 25 Classic Grunge Albums. Observer.guardian.co.uk (2004-04-25). Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ Matsumoto, Jon (2000-04-30). The Smashing Pumpkins Return To Form. BMI.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Gold and Platinum Database Search. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ Bansal, Sachin. The Smashing Pumpkins Chronology: The Adore Era: 1998. Starla.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-11.
- ^ a b Adore booklet and liner notes.
- ^ Corgan, Billy. "Starcrossed, and subsequently, a door is opened (1997)". billycorgan.livejournal.com, April 24, 2005. Retrieved on March 25, 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f Saraceno, Christina (2001-10-04). Pumpkins Unload Apples: B-sides, rarities, demos featured on hits package. Rollingstone.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-23.
- ^ a b c Machina II: The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music. allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ Cash Car Star. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ a b Adore Demos. SPFC.org. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ a b Ava Adore [CD5/Cassette Single]. allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-03-24.
- ^ Adore: Credits at All Music Guide. Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ The Smashing Pumpkins Artist Chart History. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ a b Adore Billboard Albums. Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ a b EveryHit.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ Australian Albums Chart of 1998. Allcharts.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
- ^ a b c The Smashing Pumpkins Artist Chart History. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ a b c d e Adore Billboard Singles. Allmusic.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-12.
- ^ THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - AVA ADORE (SINGLE) (49344). Australian-charts.com. Retrieved on 2007-02-16.
