via//chicago

np: "Thirty-Three" - Smashing Pumpkins

About fourteen years ago this month I was spending ridiculous amounts of time on the second floor of Flagg Hall, pulling all-nighters and generally trying to keep my head above the ever-rising waters that is the workload of a first year design studio student in architecture. Looking at its release date of 10/24/95, I can guarantee that Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness served as the soundtrack to the balance of that Fall semester. I'm bringing this up now because I'm spending some time with the album again this week in anticipation of those new Pumpkins tracks I mentioned a few posts ago. If you haven't given this one a spin in some time, I suggest you do so, the entire thing stands up remarkably well. However, one small suggestion. Assuming you have the entire album loaded into iTunes or your other favorite mp3 player, I think you should queue the album up in the alternate vinyl tracklist Billy came up with. With each slab of vinyl given over to a different "feel" (for lack of a better word), it gives an entirely new impression of a classic album. You'll need to grab the "Tonight Reprise" from The Aeroplane Flies High and grab the "Infinite Sadness" rarity to complete the final side (not really essential to the experience, I don't think). Of course you may already have the vinyl, in which case just toss album one down on your turntable.

Album 1, Side 1 - Dawn
1. "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness"
2. "Tonight, Tonight"
3. "Thirty-three"
4. "In the Arms of Sleep"
5. "Take Me Down"

Album 1, Side 2 - Tea Time
6. "Jellybelly"
7. "Bodies"
8. "To Forgive"
9. "Here is No Why"
10. "Porcelina of the Vast Oceans"

Album 2, Side 1 - Dusk
11. "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"
12. "Thru the Eyes of Ruby"
13. "Muzzle"
14. "Galapagos"
15. "Tales of a Scorched Earth"

Album 2, Side 2 - Twilight
16. "1979"
17. "Beautiful"
18. "Cupid de Locke"
19. "By Starlight"
20. "We Only Come Out at Night"

Album 3, Side 1 - Midnight
21. "Where Boys Fear to Tread"
22. "Zero"
23. "Fuck You (An Ode to No One)"
24. "Love"
25. "X.Y.U."

Album 3, Side 2 - Starlight
26. "Stumbeline"
27. "Lily (My One and Only)"
28. "Tonite Reprise"
29. "Farewell and Goodnight"
30. "Infinite Sadness"