Released 32 years ago this October
Pisces Iscariot
The Smashing Pumpkins · 1994
57 min · 14 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling collection of alternative rock and ethereal soundscapes that blurs the lines between unreleased gems and bold experimentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Soothe Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Landslide — This cover showcases the band's softer side while maintaining an emotional intensity, highlighting Billy Corgan's vocal delivery and lyrical depth.
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Frail and Bedazzled — The track features intricate guitar work and a dynamic structure that blends introspective lyrics with a driving rhythm, embodying the band's experimental nature.
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Starla — Over eleven minutes long, this song is a sprawling epic that encapsulates the atmospheric ambition of the band during this era, showcasing their willingness to explore extended compositions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a blend of B-sides and rarities with varied soundscapes but lacks the cohesion of a studio album.
What we noticed
- Several tracks, like 'Soothe' and 'Frail and Bedazzled', incorporate layered guitar effects and ethereal vocals, contributing to a dreamlike atmosphere.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- contemplative late-night vibes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A collection of B-sides and rarities that appeals mainly to dedicated fans.
- Themes
- B-side experimentation· emotional intensity· ethereal soundscapes
- Career context
- By the time Pisces Iscariot was released in October 1994, The Smashing Pumpkins had already achieved significant success with their breakthrough album, Siamese Dream. This compilation of B-sides and rarities showcases a transitional phase as the band expanded their sonic palette and prepared for the follow-up double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Alice in Chains· Soundgarden· Radiohead
Tracklist
- 1 Soothe Start here 2:36
- 2 Frail and Bedazzled 3:17
- 3 Plume 3:37
- 4 Whir 4:10
- 5 Blew Away 3:32
- 6 Pissant 2:31
- 7 Hello Kitty Kat 4:32
- 8 Obscured 5:22
- 9 Landslide 3:10
- 10 Starla 11:01
- 11 Blue 3:19
- 12 A Girl Named Sandoz 3:34
- 13 La Dolly Vita 4:16
- 14 Spaced 2:24
What to play next
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
1995
It expands on the experimental sound and emotional depth found in Pisces Iscariot.
Vieuphoria
1994
This live album captures the energy and essence of their earlier work leading into Pisces.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
OK Computer
Radiohead
Both explore emotional intensity and atmospheric soundscapes, blending rock with experimental touches.
Fantastic Planet
Failure
Shares a similar expansive sound and ethereal quality, marrying alternative rock with spacey instrumentation.
Loveless
My Bloody Valentine
Utilizes lush soundscapes and haunting melodies, creating a dynamic listening experience akin to Pisces Iscariot.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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