The soundtrack to Vieuphoria we've all been waiting for
This is the soundtrack to the newly released Smashing Pumpkins DVD "Vieuphoria," which is a re-release of the original VHS version from 1994. Overall, the material on the CD is in very good quality and there are stellar performances by the Pumpkins from the Gish through the Siamese Dream eras, when the band was beginning to pick up momentum. My personal favorite of the performances is the acoustic version of "Cherub Rock," though I also like the hard rock version of "Disarm" and the performances of "Soma" and "Mayonaise." Other highlights include "Slunk," "Today," "Geek U.S.A.," and "Quiet." Also, the 5 extra B-side songs that were placed on the CD are decent, especially since they're on the DVD during the cool interludes. The extra songs are "Sinfony," "Bugg Superstar," "French Movie Theme," "Pulseczar," and "Why Am I So Tired," and they are an excellent addition to any B-side/rarities collection. If you're not a hardcore Pumpkins fan, this may not be for you because most of the music isn't their mainstream stuff. For the devoted follower, however, the CD and the DVD are not to be missed.
For True Smashing Pumpkins Fans Only
Earphoria is a compilation of live material from 1992 until 1994. There are a few studio tracks included as well (which were used for the soundtrack of Vieuphoria, which is now re-released on DVD).First of all, the sound quality of the live material is weak. Then again, most of the live material comes directly from television feeds or via soundboard. Only two songs ("Quiet" and "Silverf--k") were actually professionally mixed by Butch Vig. As for the songs themselves, there are some good moments on this album. For example, I think the live version of "Silverf--k" is killer. The almost 15 minute version of this song truly shows how amazing this band is live. Other songs that are worth listening to are the live versions of "Slunk", "Quiet", "Cherub Rock", "I Am One" and "Mayonaise".
The studio material on this almost is really only for the hardcore fans. I am a fan of Smashing Pumpkins and I couldn't get into the studio tracks on this album. Then again, they were orginally recorded for the use if Vieuphoria, and were not really meant to be released on an album.
Other things worth noting is the version of "Disarm" on this album is an electric version, which is no where close to the original. Also, the versions of "Cherub Rock" and "Mayonaise" are acoustic.
If you are a fan of Smashing Pumpkins because of their post 1994 material (i.e. Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Adore, etc.), then this album is most likely not for you. If you loved Smashing Pumpkins ever since the Gish era, then you will probably want to pick up this album for your collection. This album is not a waste of money for any true Smashing Pumpkins fan. But it's also not a true album in a sense. Maybe the DVD would be better than buying the CD, especially since the DVD has more bonus material.
Do your homework critics!!
This CD is a re-release of the original Earphoria of which very few copies were made. So comparing it to the "Greatest Hits," as the media reviewer has, is about the dumbest thing possible. It was originally released in 1994 as the soundtrack to the VHS of vieuphoria. One last comment on the media reviewer's comments: the guy obviously hasn't listened to this album. The version of Disarm on this CD is distorted and faster compared to the slow acoustic version on Siamese Dream. Get a brain Kim.
As far as the CD, I think it gives a good view of the live performances the pumpkins gave before they hit the spotlight on October 23, 1995 with the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Billy's singing voice isn't nearly as good as his studio recordings would leave you to believe during these sessions.
The acoustic version of Mayonaise is reason enough to buy this CD. It's probably one of the most emotional songs the Pumpkins ever recorded.
P.S. If you're going to review a CD (especially for a magazine or something) at least listen to it before reviewing it so you don't look like an idiot.
bad
I was wery thrilled when, the album came out, but i must express my dissenchmented with this collection. I was hoping to witness the best momets from the Pumpkins, but here are just clips till 1994. But OK, let us leave that alone...The must live songs are good.(exept Why am i so tired, Geek U.S.A:). but the unrelesad material is so bad...what the hell is this? French movie theme, Bug superstar ... what are you thinking?A bad collection that shouldn `t please any Pumpkin loving fanatic.Dissapointment....
S.J.
Not only for hardcore fans...
This is the CD that pulled me into becoming a Smashing Pumpkins fan. A friend bought this for me as a present, and despite the (slightly) crappy way live recordings sound, I am in love now.
I do suggest starting with a different CD when buying Smashing Pumpkins for the first time, and I do think that live recordings are not worth the money. But, since this is the album that converted me, I will give it a five.
Earphoria is something of a headscratcher. A sprawling, mostly live collection of tracks recorded in concert and during television performances, the disc stops short of the band's mid-'90s commercial peak, with the latest offering culled from '94. What's more, there's a roughness to the edits, suggesting a quick turnaround or possibly a lack of involvement from infamous perfectionist and Pumpkin head Billy Corgan. "Soma," for instance, fades abruptly, midapplause. Better-known tracks such as "Disarm" and "Today"--recorded on English TV and in Chicago, respectively--offer negligible changes over their studio siblings. Collectors will appreciate "French Movie Theme" and the rambling, unhinged--and quarter-hour-long--"Why Am I So Tired." But really, this one is for die-hards only and a pale companion to 2001's comprehensive Greatest Hits. --Kim Hughes
