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Review: ‘American Gothic’: The Lighter Side of Smashing Pumpkins*

By Justin Powell
2008.01

American Gothic answers the question of what constitutes the Smashing Pumpkins. That answer is Billy Corgan. Corgan is a master songwriter that lets the Pumpkin’s sound flow out of his guitar playing and melodies. That is never truer than on Gothic. The whole EP gels together and is the one of the most cohesive EPs one will ever find. The whole album feels like a little walk or trip. It rarely rocks or changes its tempo but that’s what makes it so effective. The steady pace creates a crystallized feel that is uncommon for Pumpkins records. Most of the band’s work is industrial and gritty. This makes the album refreshing in a sense. In fact, the whole album feels like Billy Corgan has been listening to Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks on heavy repeat. Overall it sounds like a Pumpkins record from another life. Those things are why this is such a cohesive record.

Fans can find the EP hidden on iTunes which, to be quite honest, is a little annoying. One has to search American Gothic only to find a blue-covered Zeitgeist, the Pumpkins’ latest release. There, one has to download each individual track, four in all, at the end of the album. There is a physical release outside of the United States, though, according to the band’s website.

The first song of the EP is “Rose March.” It is the most creative and stunning of all the tracks. The melody is absolutely beautiful. The vocals are among Corgan’s best, as are the lyrics. The opening guitar part is a great introduction to what American Gothic has in store for the listener. This is single-worthy material. Its chorus would sound perfect coming from the radio on a drive through the country. It might be the title, but this song makes me think of a spring day and a wedding. Its beauty will probably evoke similar images in the minds of other listeners. This is part of the cinematic aspect of an amazing EP. You will often find yourself envisioning a place or event. Near the end, Jimmy Chamberlin comes in with the drums at the perfect time to take the song to a new level. That level being among the band’s best songs. “Rose March” is a true wonder.

“Again, Again, Again (The Crux)” sounds like it belongs on Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Jimmy Chamberlin again does wonders to the song. His playing works very well with Corgan’s. Together they make beautiful music. The chorus is catchy if not simple. Like many simple things on the EP, it works. The beat is similar to the band’s famous song “1979” but the chorus is unique to the band.

“Pox” is the weak point of the album. I feel the EP could up be okay without this piece. It doesn’t fit and stands out as being out of place. It isn’t a bad song, per se, but it lacks the gentle playing of the other tracks. The song sounds like something off of Gish and seems really out of place with several Mellon Collie sounding tracks. For fun, listeners might try to replace this track with something like “Soothe” or “Bye June.”

“Sunkissed” is my favorite track on the album. It is simple but effective. Corgan is in the clouds for this one. The notes at times seem lighter than air. The song reminds me of summer and, again, a wedding. With this track, the EP has come full circle. You can feel the sunlight of the song shine through. The noon rays are coming out and the Pumpkins have done it again. You are taken somewhere with this track. To each listener, their own summer day. With every listen a new dawn.

This album is a must for every Pumpkins fan. More than that, it is a must for any fan of cinematic music. I rate this as four out of five stars. “Pox” weighs it down a bit, but songs like “Rose March” and “Sunkissed” are now among my favorites of the band. They elevate this EP. Billy Corgan is the Smashing Pumpkins because he takes you places only he can. American Gothic is a true trip to some place, a cohesive little trip I recommend to anyone.

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