SP INTERVIEWS / ARTICLES

POST-ADORE ALBUM!
ATN
March 4 1998
Thanks to Nic for sending this to us.
By Addicted To Noise Senior Writer Gil Kaufman reports:

As they wrap up latest effort, Adore, band already plans to redefine rock with 1999 release.

Addicted To Noise Senior Writer Gil Kaufman reports : Don't ever underestimate the ambitions of Billy Corgan and his bandmates.

Even as the Smashing Pumpkins put the finishing touches on their upcoming album, Adore, the Chicago-based group has already set its sights on recording what co-manager Cliff Burnstein described as "the greatest fucking rock album anyone's ever heard."

"The next one knocks it right out of the fucking universe," Burnstein said. "Billy's totally stoked. Billy's goin' for the whole fuckin' world, man."

Adore (late May), which Burnstein described as a "personal" record, is currently in the final stages of recording in L.A. Though not necessarily packed with the kind of bombastic rock songs that were featured on the band's multi-platinum 1995 album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, the new album focuses more on "naked songwriting," Burnstein said.

Burnstein said the group will spend six to 10 weeks promoting Adore -- mostly in Europe, with a few promo appearances in the U.S. -- but there won't be a full-scale tour. The group is expected to launch a major world-tour following the 1999 release of the next album.

Asked if there was a concept for the post-Adore album, Burnstein laughed and said, "Yeah, to make the greatest fucking rock album anyone's ever heard."

For now, however, the band must prepare its latest work for release, an album that's been described by bandleader Corgan as "arcane night music."

"From what I've heard [of the material earmarked for Adore], the new album is songs in the vein of '1979' and 'Thirty-Three,' " Burnstein said of the groovin', electronic tracks from Mellon Collie. "It's not big-ass rock songs. The idea was to write songs and not use the big dynamics."

Rather than layer Adore with rock elements, Pumpkins guitarist James Iha said the music tends to be more introspective and thoughtful. "The Pumpkins record is more of a down record," guitarist James Iha previously told Addicted To Noise. "It's less about rock, but it doesn't sound like my record, half-organic, half-electric," he added, referring to his soft-edged solo album, Let It Come Down. "It's sort-of hard to say what it is actually."

Among the musicians joining Corgan, Iha and bassist D'Arcy on Adore are former Soundgarden drummer Matt Cameron and Beck's drummer, Joey Waronker, who play on an undisclosed number of tracks. A majority of the songs, however, were recorded with a drum machine as backbeat.

Former Filter drummer Matt Walker, who left the band following the Pumpkins' Dec. 5 slot opening for the Rolling Stones, is not expected to be featured on the new release.

Among the songs expected to appear on Adore are "Ava Adore," "To Sheila," "Perfect" and "Let Me Give the World To You," the latter of which was produced by superstar producer (and American Recordings founder) Rick Rubin (Run-D.M.C., Beastie Boys, Tom Petty).

Former Nitzer Ebb leader Bon Harris is also contributing to the album, although his role is still unclear. The album is being mixed by Flood (U2, Depeche Mode), who will also be working with the Pumpkins on their next album, according to Burnstein. [Tues., March 3, 1998, 6 p.m. PST] "

Oh yeah, I guess for once the radio wasnt full of shit.

np: James Iha -- See The Sun

Return to the Band's Page