Album Review

Smashing Pumpkins – American Gothic EP

• 22nd Feb 2008

It’s a bitch for music journalists when a band seem to be just inherently indefinable. The good thing for the band, of course, is that if you can’t be defined, your longevity is infinite as you can change all you want and people can’t complain. He’s not so dumb, that Billy Corgan.

Herein lies the brilliance of the Smashing Pumpkin’s new EP, ‘American Gothic’. Its undeniably Pumpkinesque, but not so much so that it’s a mindless repetition of their not-small back catalogue – and for a band formed twenty years ago, this constant transcendence of their previous material is all the more impressive. It’s an acoustic record that doesn’t lose their power or worth, and a progression that doesn’t forget their roots. Though it’s less conceptual than Mellon Collie… and a lot more polished than the likes of the more straightforward Gish, it somehow seems to encompass the band’s past whilst still looking forward, and that’s no mean feat.

Whilst the music is certainly stripped of all unnecessary aspects, it isn’t left wanting – perhaps a testament to the quality of the songwriting. Closer Sunkissed in particular relies on Corgan’s distinctive vocals to give it depth, and, somewhat unexpectedly, this pays off. Third song Pox is definitely shadowed by those around it, but to skip it would be like eating your favourite dinner and skipping the main to get to the dessert – simply ludicrous.

Understated yet brimming with promise, this EP signals the Pumpkins’ return to their best. It seems that break ups, lacklustre solo albums and an only partial reformation thankfully haven’t dented what sets the band apart from everyone else, and whatever comes next must surely eclipse Zeitgeist. Despite lapping up everything they’ve released in recent years, and witnessing their stunning set at 07’s Leeds festival, I had managed to forget how impressive this band are. This EP has definitely reminded me, and I can’t wait for their next full-length album.