ThePumpkins.net

Jaxx wrote:
The Pumpkins do have a lot of b-sides and out-takes - especially from the first few albums. And usually really high standard stuff too.

I listen to quite a few other bands who have a decent amount as well, which I like to compile into extra albums I really expected MM would've had more, so it is disappointing. I should be able to make a couple of extra albums though

So I just listened to Smells Like Children and I have to agree with what I'd heard - that it isn't all that good.

Having said that, there's a lot of good stuff on there. Most of the remixes are very good, the re-worked version of Dope Hat is totally different to the original but almost as good (and way more creepy) and, of course, the cover of Sweet Dreams is amazing. The weird filler stuff just make it pointless to listen to the whole thing though. I mean, I'm hardly going to want to listen to a 4 minute phone conversation about some dude not taking his blood pressure meds every time...

I'll take the good stuff off here and use it to compile my own MM out-takes/rarities album instead

Jaxx wrote:
I don't know any other band with as many b-sides and demos as The Pumpkins.

Well, I’m back. And a big thank you to forgottenandabsorbed for letting everyone know I didn’t wake up with amnesia

6. Dope Show

Sorry epitome. Kind of boring, kind of mediocre heavy metal anthem. Too much uninspired repetition. Lack’s the hate and ferocity of previous tracks. Kind of forced.

5/10

Frank, Epitome or anyone else, you guys have a favorite lyrics/lines yet? I'll post some of mine when I get to my computer. I don't feel like writing them from my iPod, haha.

Not yet from Portrait but I'm still getting into that. There's plenty of great lines from other Manson songs though.
Off the top of my head...

They slit our throats
Like we were flowers

frankB wrote:

I was sure you'd give it at least an 8. Oh well. This album's not turning out so well for you

Oh, and nice to have you back, Franklestein!

7. Get Your Gunn
Now here's a song that's forced. It has radio hit written all over it. Having said that, it is still very good, it's hard not to sing along to it. Probably the most conventional song on the album, but no harm in that.

8

dreamelectric wrote:
I'm listening to a different album right now, which is making it really hard to think of lyrics to other songs I do like the "explain the shit stains on your face" line. It caught me by surprise the first time and made me smile, and I like the way it's sung.

Also, this isn't for the lyrics, but I love the vocals in Dogma.

7. Get Your Gunn

Has a good beat on the first couple of listens, but then sort of gets boring after a while. Definitely forced. Sort of 'Bad' Metallica.

4/10

8. Wrapped in Plastic
I love the mellow start to this and kind of wish that it stayed like that all the way through, as I feel a mellow track would work well on the album. However, it is still very good when it gets heavier. Not a very catchy song, but I like it a lot.

8

Frank, is listening to this album actually like torture for you? I'm surprised you've managed to sit through it with these low scores

there are better albums to come.

blueczarina wrote:
That's good, but personally I've really enjoyed Portrait. There's only one song on it I don't like, which I'll get to later

Uh... You won't be surprised then epitome when I'll say I haven't listened to the entire album yet lol

I'm just rating the tracks as they come. At the end I will listen to the entire album as a whole and write a more in depth review of it. I actually really liked how it started out, but there have been some low points sagging about now.

8. Wrapped In Plastic

Interesting. Dark, a little weird, but without completely pushing boundaries. Like epitome said, not really catchy. Doesn't really stay with you. But otherwise it's good enough

6

frankB wrote:
I've listened to the album in full about 10 times now. Plus, listened to many of the songs more than that as well. Some did take a few listens to grow on me, so I think if you did listen to the whole album 4 or 5 times your scores would be higher.

9. Dogma
Musically, this is a pretty standard alternative rock song. Quite heavy and fast, which I like. What takes this song from just being good to being great though are the vocals. They sound totally unhinged and I love it One of my favourites.

9

So you would be scoring lower if you didn't listen to it that much?

frankB wrote:
Yeah. My original score for Cake & Sodomy was 7 - after hearing it once. Now it's 9. And that's one of the more immediate songs too. Others like Organ Grinder, Wrapped in Plastic and Sweet Tooth are definitely growers, as they're a bit weirder and not as catchy.
The first two or three times I listened to the album Dogma left no impression on me at all and I couldn't really remember what it went like. Now it's one of my favourites though.

Well, everyone has a different ear to music

9. Dogma

Nightmarish, vicious hardcore without faking it. Pure atmosphere that is absolutely captivating. One of my favorites so far.

9

Yeah, but surely you don't often get an accurate opinion of a song from one listen?

10. Sweet Tooth
I got this on a compilation (well, soundtrack) CD about 13 years ago. I usually skipped it. I hated the choppy effect on the vocals and I was generally into heavier and faster music back then (although there were exceptions). Listening to it now I like it a lot more. I still don't like the choppy vocals, but the rest of the song is very good. Quite moody and fits well on the album.

8