Smashing Pumpkins
Tarantula

SMASHING PUMPKINS - TARANTULA
Corgan's return?

The spirit of the times is coming, and it has the legs of 'Tarantula.' For a few days now, the download or streaming of the new single has been available on websites dedicated to the Chicago band.

Many negative premonitions: the halved lineup (Corgan and Chamberlin), participation in major European "rock" festivals, the approach to the emo scene, the photo of Paris Hilton stolen from the band's studios, the announced environmental themes of the album, the horrendous cover. The biggest fear of the fans is due to Corgan's lack of creativity demonstrated in recent releases. In fact, the musician has never completely fallen: the initial live performances of Zwan were excellent, their album is not all to be discarded, in "TheFutureEmbrace" we can find something worth saving. Then he pulled that name out of his hat: Smashing Pumpkins. "Renew and revive". Hope, anger, and fear alternate. The risk of tarnishing such an important name for rock, but above all for a fan's heart, is high. Back in 2005, the ambiguous appeal published on the Chicago Tribune left many unclear points, but little by little some news emerged. After two years of work, there is finally a title, "Zeitgeist" (released on 7.7.07), a tracklist, a lineup (in the studio the singer and the drummer, live supported by Ginger Reyes and Jeff Schroeder ex-Lassie Foundation), and even a single, "Tarantula."

Let's get to the point. At the beginning, a distorted slide along the entire guitar keyboard, the typical roll of Chamberlin, then the very fast rhythm of the riff in power chords kicks in, and here's Billy's compressed voice. "I don't wanna fight every single night everything I want is in your eyes". Despite the mediocrity of the lyrics, we immediately realize that something is back to how it should be. The baffling changes at the bridge and the chorus confirm it: we are facing something good. Then a new direction, upbeat rhythm with palm mute, the bouncing power of the melody. The first solo arrives, not bad. It resumes the typical structure of the song: verse, bridge, and chorus. An unexpected solo like those we heard in "Gish." The pause moment like in "Geek U.S.A.". A new solo that winks at the stronger tracks of "Mellon Collie." And still the pop quality of the chorus, reminiscent of Zwan's best moments. All mixed with new sensations, never felt before in Billy's works. Just when it seems like it won’t end, a sharp and decisive closure arrives. 'Tarantula' captures you like the most admirable pop singles and fills you with energy like the finest hard rock songs.

After so many expectations, disappointments, and negative premonitions, we have something to talk about, to hope for. The band will debut on June 22 at the Grand Rex in Paris, and after a few days a bootleg of the evening is likely to circulate. To be able to shout "THE PUMPKINS ARE BACK" I will wait for the recordings of the first concerts, the live in Berlin for which I myself have organized the trip, and finally the release of the album. Will Billy Corgan be truly back in top form, or is Tarantula a lure? We will find out in a few days!

"I don’t wanna fight
Every single night
Everything I want is in your light
You and me go there
To places I don’t know to care
The spoils of all I’ve got were left to scrounge

Don’t let me say this,
but you’re no worse than me,
It’s crazy.

Beyond real, if real ever was, it's just because
We all feel, feel we’ve had enough,
I’m real, ‘cause someone gave us sound

I wanna be there when you’re happy
I wanna love you when you’re sad,

Tracklist and Lyrics