The Killer In You: A Tribute To Smashing Pumpkins, Various Artists
This was always going to be the aural equivalent to a car wreck - one of those CDs you know you have to look at, but deep down you know it's going to be a mess. While the Pumpkins are indeed a seminal act and Mr Corgan is a genius, they're one of those bands you just don't cover. It's like someone trying to do Guns n Roses or Nirvana - it'll never surpass the original, so why bother? At times 'The Killer In You: A Tribute To Smashing Pumpkins' isn't too bad -Roses Are Red, Murder By Death and Armor For Sleep actually pull off pretty decent versions of some classic songs. But then there are some horrific versions too - as I said, this was to be expected.
Things start pretty well actually. Roses are Red have never inspired me with their own material, but 'Cherub Rock', while hardly veering from the original, is carried off well. Compared to most of these songs, it's fantastic. Emanuel pull off 'Mayonaise' solidly, Hopesfall do a decent version of 'Eye' while '1979' is also passable, Vaux should be credited for tackling one of the best Pumpkins songs and not ruining it. For me, the best version is Armor For Sleep's 'Today'. It's probably my favourite Pumpkins song and Ben Jorgensen and co didn't let me down. They've had a stab at making it an Armor song and have almost succeeded. Good work chaps.
Sadly this record is let down by some pretty awful versions, although when you let loose a stack of unoriginal emo and screamo bands, I guess that is to be expected. 'Soma' by Poison The Well isn't too hot, A Thorn For Every Heart's 'Jelly Belly' is painfully average, while Eighteen Visions leave no mark at all on 'Quiet'. The worst offender by far is A Static Lullaby, who absolutely butcher 'The Everlasting Gaze' by dropping the guitar tone and screaming and screeching their way through it. They make it sound like ASL, so kudos for that, but the last ASL record was a generic piece of shit and this song is no different. If you're a Pumpkins die-hard then you'll probably be appalled with this CD, but treat it as a bit of fun and it's worth checking out.
www.myspace.com/thekillerinyousp
Reignition Recordings
Paul
