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Adore (album)

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Untitled
For other uses, see Adore.

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. It was also the Pumpkins' only album that didn't feature original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.[1]

Adore marked a dramatic change in sound for the band, losing their heavy-metal influenced sound for a quieter and more electronic-influenced sound, incorporating drum machines and synthesizers. The band also shed their alternative hipster image for a more subdued gothic look.

Despite being "one of the most anticipated albums of 1998,"[2] Adore was a disappointment in terms of sales, in sharp contrast to their previously successful albums Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Adore received mostly positive reviews, though critics tended to be mixed over whether Adore was superior or inferior to earlier Pumpkins material. It received a nomination for Best Alternative Music Performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards.[3]

Pre-recording

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"1979"
Sample of "1979", the second single from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995). The band's biggest hit and a precursor to their change in style, featuring a drum machine accompaniment to Chamberlin's drums and sampled vocal effects.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

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In early 1996, the Smashing Pumpkins released "1979", the band's most successful single and their first foray into electronic music. "1979" was a musical departure from the band's typically guitar-oriented alternative rock sound of their albums Gish and Siamese Dream. Meanwhile, the band had given interviews stating that Mellon Collie would be the last conventional Pumpkins record,[4] and James Iha remarked near the end of 1996, "The future is in electronic music. It really seems boring just to play rock music."[5]

It seemed that these comments were unfounded, however, a year later in June 1997 when the Pumpkins released their first single since their last album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, "The End is the Beginning is the End" for the Batman and Robin soundtrack. The song incorporated electronic elements but kept the hard rock edge of the band's previous material; following the release of the single, The Smashing Pumpkins began work on recording the follow-up to their double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, one of the best-selling albums of the 1990's.[6]

Recording

File:Smashing pumpkins 1998 promo.jpg
A promotional photo of The Smashing Pumpkins circa 1998, showing a more Gothic-influenced look than before. Left to right: Iha, Wretzky, and Corgan.

In August 1997, the three remaining Pumpkins, Corgan, D'arcy and James Iha (along with temporary replacement drummer, Matt Walker) entered Chicago Trax Recording and Hinge in Chicago with producer Brad Wood, who Corgan had worked with in the early 1990s.[7] The band was unhappy with the sessions recorded in Chicago and they were subsequently scrapped before making a move to Los Angeles to resume the work on the album. After these sessions, Corgan felt that Wood was not suitable for producing The Smashing Pumpkins, stating "He needs to work with someone like Liz Phair, whom he can mold, and I'm not the kind of person you can mold."[8] Wood did not join the Pumpkins in L.A., and they instead recruited previous producer Flood to serve as engineer and advisor on the album.

Before the move to L.A., the band made a few live appearances in which several new tracks were debuted. These shows included Neil Young's Bridge School Benefit,[9][10] a surprise gig opening for Jane's Addiction[11] and two shows opening for The Rolling Stones.[12] At these shows, attendees were treated to several new songs: "Ava Adore", "Behold! The Night Mare" and "To Sheila". The second show with The Stones was also the final show with Matt Walker as he left the band to pursue a career with his own band, The Cupcakes.[13][14]

In December 1997, recording began at Sound City in Van Nuys, California with Ex-Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron.[15] Beck drummer Joey Waronker was also called in to contribute drum tracks.[16] The Pumpkins also worked with legendary producer Rick Rubin for one track, "Let Me Give the World to You". Corgan stated that the recording of the song and the experience with Rubin was not a success, and was therefore left off the album. Sessions were wrapped up in early 1998, with 30 songs for the album, which, at one point, looked set to be a double album.[17] Of those, only 16 made the final cut.

Early promotion

In January 1998, Billy described the new album as "arcane night music",[18] which was contrary to the rumour at the time that the album would be acoustic.[19] Corgan had also 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."[20] 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.;[21] only one, "Let Me Give the World to You", was not released in some form on the final album. Iha also 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.[22] 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,[23] percussionists Dan Morris and Stephen Hodges, and pianist Mike Garson.[24]

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 also 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".[25]

Release

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"Ava Adore"
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 playing this file? See media help.

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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 album was drastically different in approach and style, and distorted guitars were notably absent from the album. Corgan offered the following explanation for the new sound: "I'm 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."[8] Guitars in general are used sparingly throughout the 72 minutes and are used 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.

Piano was dominant in most songs, especially in tracks like "Annie Dog", "For Martha", "Blank Page" and "Crestfallen". The use of electronic instruments, especially drum machines, gave the album an ambiance not heard before in the Pumpkins' music, and one track, "Appels + Oranjes", is completely synthesized - performed entirely on electronic instruments (apart from the vocal). The track "Tear" was a song that was left off the Lost Highway soundtrack in favour of the electronic song "Eye". Listening carefully, one can hear the original "Lost Highway" recording in the bridge of the song. Its instrumentation is similar to that in "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 also the first album that featured no writing contributions from Iha, due to his creative efforts going into his own solo album, Let It Come Down. However, Iha did write the track "Summer" which was released as a b-side to "Perfect". The video for "Perfect" was shot in Los Angeles in July of 1998.[26] Ultimately, "Perfect" was not quite as strong as the lead single, "Ava Adore", and the success of the album lagged.

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,[27] The Pumpkins played at several unconventional venues, including the rooftop of a FNAC record store in Paris, France,[28] at the Cannes Film Festival,[29] and at an International Shipping Harbor in Sydney, Australia.[30] 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.[31]

File:Spadorebwbw.jpg
The Smashing Pumpkins perfoming "Bullet with Butterfly Wings" live in 1998.

The Pumpkins hired a much larger amount of musicians for their 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.[32] 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.[33]

Reception and aftermath

File:Spcrestfallen.jpg
"Crestfallen" promotional single cover.

Reception to Adore was lukewarm.[34] Adore entered the U.S. charts at #2 with a solid — but not exceptional — 174,000 units. After only eight weeks, it dropped out of the Billboard Top 40. Still, the album was certified platinum in the U.S. 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).

Critical reactions to the album were better than the commercial reaction, though still relatively unenthusiastic. Rolling Stone said of the album "This isn't just a transitional record; it's a complete break with the past."[35] All Music Guide regarded it "an admirable record that illustrates the depth of the Pumpkins' sound, even if it ultimately isn't a brave step forward."[36] Pitchfork Media was more positive, calling Adore "the Pumpkins' best offering since Siamese Dream."[37]

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.[38] 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.[39] Adore was certified platinum.[40]

Artwork

The artwork and photography for the album booklet was designed by Corgan's at-the-time girlfriend Yelena Yemchuck.[41] The cover of the album, and subsequent singles and radio promo singles all feature a woman in black and white.

File:SmashingPumpkins-AdoreHibiscus.jpg
The Adore U.S. 12.

The vinyl release of the album 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 colour, 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 picture of a goat, buildings, a lone tree and someone in a window. The photos of the three band members include one shot of them on a grassy hill, beneath a bare tree, a photo of D'arcy wearing a sheer blouse that reveals her breasts completely, and a close-up of Billy Corgan. All of the photos in the booklet are black and white, sometimes placed against a purple background.[42]

Track listing

  1. "To Sheila" – 4:40
  2. "Ava Adore" – 4:20 Audio sampleⓘ
  3. "Perfect" – 3:23
  4. "Daphne Descends" – 4:38
  5. "Once Upon a Time" – 4:06
  6. "Tear" – 5:52
  7. "Crestfallen" – 4:09
  8. "Appels + Oranjes" – 3:34
  9. "Pug" – 4:46
  10. "The Tale of Dusty and Pistol Pete" – 4:33
  11. "Annie-Dog" – 3:36
  12. "Shame" – 6:37
  13. "Behold! The Night Mare" – 5:12
  14. "For Martha" – 8:17
  15. "Blank Page" – 4:51
  16. "17" – 0:17

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" (a working title for a long instrumental piece notable for the fact that the chord sequence did not uniquely repeat until 48 successive chords were played; was never released in any form including bootlegged, though was mentioned in a Billy Corgan blog entry).
  • "Because You Are" (released in 2001 on Judas O)
  • "Blissed and Gone" (released in 2000 on a Still Becoming Apart promo CD, and in 2001 as a last track on Judas O)
  • "Cash Car Star" (was re-recorded in 1999 and released in 2000 on Machina II album; was played live numerous of times, including band's surprise performance as a support act on KISS' Halloween concert in 1998; also the heaviest track considered for Adore)
  • "Chewing Gum" (not available on any commercial release, recorded in 1997 in the Annie-Dog sessions, but later considered a demo)
  • "Czarina" (released in 1998 as a b-side off "Ava Adore" single)
  • "Do You Close Your Eyes" (Adore demo, never commercially released but circulating via bootleg).
  • "Let Me Give the World to You" (was re-recorded in 1999 and released in 2000 on Machina II album; was played in a slow-tempo almost on every gig on the band's tours supporting Adore; original studio version produced by Rick Rubin was never released)
  • "My Mistake" (released in 2001 on Judas O)
  • "Once in a While" (released in 1998 as a b-side off "Ava Adore" single; was played live only once as a part of band's 2000 promo tour Resume a Pose with Billy Corgan playing piano)
  • "Saturnine" (released in 2001 on Judas O, produced under high influence and with the help of Nitzer Ebb's Bon Harris; was re-recorded in 1999 and released in 2000 on Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music album)
  • "Sparrow" (released in 2001 on Judas O)
  • "Summer" (released in 1998 as a b-side off "Perfect" single, was played live only once as a part of band's performance at the 1999 Neil and Peggy Young's Bridge School Benefit; is the only song recorded for Adore which has songwriting and lead vocals credited to James Iha)
  • "Waiting" (released in 2000 on a Machina promo and 2001 on Judas O)

Personnel

Information from All Music Guide and Adore's liner notes.[43][42]

  • 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

Chart positions

Album

Year Album Chart positions
Billboard 200 Top Canadian Albums UK Album Chart Australian Highest Selling Albums
1998 Adore #2[44][45] #2[45] #5[46] #47[47]

Singles

Year Song Chart positions
Modern Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Canadian Singles Chart UK Singles Chart Australian Singles Chart The Billboard Hot 100 Adult Top 40
1998 "Ava Adore" #3[48][49] #8[48][49] #9[49] #11[46] #34[50] #42[48][49] N/A
"Perfect" #3[48][49] #33[48][49] #13[49] #24[46] N/A #54[48][49] #31[49]

References

  1. ^ Errico, Marcus (1996-07-17). "Smashing Pumpkins Drum Out Jimmy Chamberlin" (http). Eonline.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Set Release Date, Track Listing For "Adore"". MTV.com. 1998-04-28. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "41st annual Grammy nominees and winners" (http). CNN.com. 1999-02-24. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Di Perna, Alan. "Zero Worship," Guitar World. December 1995.
  5. ^ Graff, Gary. "Smashing Pumpkins—Rave of the Future," Guitar World. December 1996.
  6. ^ "Top 100 Albums" (http). Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA.com). Retrieved 2006-11-07.
  7. ^ "Pumpkins To Record With Brad Wood". Rollingstone.com. 1997-07-04. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  8. ^ a b Bansal, Sachin. "The Smashing Pumpkins Chronology: The Adore Era: 1998". Starla.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  9. ^ "Bridge Benefit XI (Oct. 18 & 19, 1997)". Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  10. ^ "The Bridge Benefit Holds Some Suprises". MTV.com. 1998-10-27. Retrieved 2007-02-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  11. ^ Carmichael, Matt (1997-11-04). "News Flash: Pumpkins Open For Jane's Addiction". VH1.com. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  12. ^ "The Rolling Stones 1997 Tour Dates". The Rolling Stones Fan Club Of Europe. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  13. ^ Worley, Gail. "Matt Walker From Pumpkins To Cupcakes". Moderndrummer.com. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  14. ^ Hindin, Seth (1997-11-18). "Walker Leaving Smashing Pumpkins". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  15. ^ "Matt Cameron Hanging With The Pumpkins?". Rollingstone.com. 1997-12-09. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  16. ^ "Joey Waronker". McDSP.com. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  17. ^ NME Staff (1998-01-24). "PUMPKINS REVEAL DETAILS OF LENGTHY 'ADORE' SESSIONS" (http). NME. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Kaufman, Gil (1998-01-14). "Pumpkins Recording Album of "Arcane Night Music"" (http). Addicted to Noise/JamesIha.org. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  19. ^ Kaufman, Gil (1997-09-10). "News Flash: Smashing Pumpkins Next LP All Acoustic". VH1.com. Retrieved 2007-02-13.
  20. ^ "Billy Corgan Says Fans May Be Surprised By Next Pumpkin's LP". MTV.com. 1998-02-26. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "1998-01-15, Viper Room". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  22. ^ "Kenny Arnoff - News Archive 1998". Kennyaronoff.com. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  23. ^ "SMASHING PUMPKINS WANNA BE 'ADORE-D'". NME.com. 1998-04-05. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "NEWS - NEW TOUR DATES!" (http). Virginrecords.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  25. ^ "LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND: LATER WITH JOOLS HOLLAND[15/05/98]". BFI. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  26. ^ "Smashing Pumpkins Shoot "Perfect" Video, Mull Recording Future". MTV.com. 1998-07-30. Retrieved 2007-02-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "1998". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  28. ^ "1998-06-04, FNAC Rooftop". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  29. ^ "1998-05-18, Cannes Film Festival". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  30. ^ "1998-06-19, International Shipping Harbor at Circular Quay". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  31. ^ MTV News staff (1998-09-22). "Smashing Pumpkins Raise Over $2.8 Million on Charity Tour" (http). MTV.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "1998-12-12, Shrine Auditorium". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  33. ^ "Zero". SPLRA.org. Retrieved 2007-02-18.
  34. ^ Fricke, David (1998-12-29). "When Billy Corgan Speaks..." (http). RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ Kot, Greg (1998-05-18). "Smashing Pumpkins Adore". RollingStone.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Adore Review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  37. ^ Schreiber, Ryan (1998-06-01). "Smashing Pumpkins Adore". Pitforkmedia.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ Matsumoto, Jon (2000-04-30). "The Smashing Pumpkins Return To Form". BMI.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ Kot, Greg. "Pumpkin Seeds," Guitar World. January 2002.
  40. ^ "Gold and Platinum Database Search". Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  41. ^ Bansal, Sachin. "The Smashing Pumpkins Chronology: The Adore Era: 1998". Starla.com. Retrieved 2007-02-11.
  42. ^ a b Adore booklet and liner notes.
  43. ^ "Adore: Credits at All Music Guide". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  44. ^ "The Smashing Pumpkins Artist Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  45. ^ a b "Adore Billboard Albums". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  46. ^ a b c "EveryHit.com". Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  47. ^ "Australian Albums Chart of 1998". Allcharts.org. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
  48. ^ a b c d e f "The Smashing Pumpkins Artist Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  49. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Adore Billboard Singles". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
  50. ^ "THE SMASHING PUMPKINS - AVA ADORE (SINGLE) (49344)". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 2007-02-16.
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