The Aeroplane Flies High cover

Released 30 years ago

The Aeroplane Flies High

The Smashing Pumpkins · 1996

136 min · 33 tracks · alternative rock

A sprawling collection of alternative rock anthems layered with orchestral arrangements and introspective lyrics that explore the complexities of youth.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Bullet With Butterfly Wings Start here — The lead single from Mellon Collie, this track's iconic chorus and themes of disillusionment resonate powerfully within the context of the era's youth culture.
  • →
    1979 — With its nostalgic reflection on adolescence, this track captures a sense of longing and innocence that contrasts with darker themes present in other songs.
  • →
    Tonight, Tonight — An orchestral anthem that embodies hope and ambition, it stands out for its sweeping arrangements and became synonymous with the band's grand artistic vision.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting with varied arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow due to its compilation nature.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate unconventional song structures, such as extended instrumental sections and abrupt tempo changes, which challenge traditional pop formats.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • patient exploration of layered soundscapes
  • extended climaxes that reward listening
  • introspective moments for deep reflection
  • for late-night introspection

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer short, standalone tracks
  • seek instant gratification from music

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A compilation of singles that showcases the band's sound but isn't a primary entry point.
Themes
1990s youth disillusionment· nostalgic adolescence· orchestral ambition
Career context
The Aeroplane Flies High, released in 1996, is a compilation of singles from The Smashing Pumpkins' critically acclaimed double album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. By this point in their career, the band had achieved significant commercial success, establishing themselves as one of the leading forces in the '90s alternative rock scene following the breakout of their previous album, Siamese Dream. This release further cemented their artistic identity through ambitious experimentation.
Stylistic neighbors
Alice in Chains· Soundgarden· Radiohead
New to The Smashing Pumpkins? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Disc 1

  • 1 Bullet With Butterfly Wings Start here 4:20
  • 2 …Said Sadly 3:13
  • 3 You’re All I’ve Got Tonight 3:10
  • 4 Clones (We’re All) 2:45
  • 5 A Night Like This 3:39
  • 6 Destination Unknown 4:17
  • 7 Dreaming 5:11

Disc 2

  • 1 1979 4:27
  • 2 Ugly 2:53
  • 3 The Boy 3:05
  • 4 Cherry 4:02
  • 5 Believe 3:17
  • 6 Set the Ray to Jerry 4:10

Disc 3

  • 1 Zero 2:39
  • 2 God 3:09
  • 3 Mouths of Babes 3:46
  • 4 Tribute to Johnny 2:33
  • 5 Marquis in Spades 3:17
  • 6 Pennies 2:29
  • 7 Pastichio Medley 23:00

Disc 4

  • 1 Tonight, Tonight 4:16
  • 2 Meladori Magpie 2:44
  • 3 Rotten Apples 3:04
  • 4 Jupiter’s Lament 2:32
  • 5 Medellia of the Gray Skies 3:11
  • 6 Blank 2:55
  • 7 Tonite (reprise) 2:41

Disc 5

  • 1 Thirty‐Three 4:12
  • 2 The Last Song 3:55
  • 3 The Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right) 8:36
  • 4 Transformer 3:29
  • 5 The Bells 2:19
  • 6 My Blue Heaven 3:21

What to play next

Adore
Listen next

Adore

1998

Continues the introspective themes with a more refined sound palette.
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Go back to

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness

1995

Sets the stage with similar orchestral elements and emotional depth.
Full The Smashing Pumpkins discography Where to start with The Smashing Pumpkins Artists like The Smashing Pumpkins
alternative rock

If this landed

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The Verve

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Loveless

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My Bloody Valentine

Combines ethereal soundscapes and emotional depth, reflecting on youth through layered instrumentation.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata