Earphoria [Explicit Lyrics] [Import] [Live]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
Japanese Version featuring a Bonus Track

Tracks:

Sinfony
Quiet (Live In Atlanta, 1993)
Disarm (Live On English TV, 1993)
Cherub Rock (Acoustic) (Live On MTV Europe, 1993)
Today (Live In Chicago, 1993)
Bugg Superstar
I Am One (Live In Barcelona, 1993)
Pulseczer
Soma (Live In London, 1994)
Slunk (Live On Japanese TV, 1992)
French Movie Theme
Geek U.S.A. (Live On German TV, 1993)
Mayonaise (Acoustic) (Live Everywhere, 1988-1994)
Silverf (Live In London, 1994)/Over The Rainbow
Why Am I So Tired

Amazon.com

Earphoria is something of a headscratcher. A sprawling, mostly live collection of tracks recorded in concert and during television performances, the disc stops short of the band's mid-'90s commercial peak, with the latest offering culled from '94. What's more, there's a roughness to the edits, suggesting a quick turnaround or possibly a lack of involvement from infamous perfectionist and Pumpkin head Billy Corgan. "Soma," for instance, fades abruptly, midapplause. Better-known tracks such as "Disarm" and "Today"--recorded on English TV and in Chicago, respectively--offer negligible changes over their studio siblings. Collectors will appreciate "French Movie Theme" and the rambling, unhinged--and quarter-hour-long--"Why Am I So Tired." But really, this one is for die-hards only and a pale companion to 2001's comprehensive Greatest Hits. --Kim Hughes

Customer Reviews:

AMAZING live disc.......2005-04-15

I worship Smashing Pumpkins. I honestly think they are one of the greatest bands of the 90's, much less one of the greatest bands of all time. This live album by them contains tracks from siamese dream, gish, and a couple b-sides as well as a few studio interludes. the live tracks all differ from the studio versions in interesting ways and in general this album is incredible.

The album opens with "Sinfony", a 50 second drony intro. Then it goes into an awesome rendition of "Quiet", which is very similar to the original but sounds great nonetheless. Then comes an electric version of disarm, which is a little too raw in places but is very cool, possibly better than the original! Then comes an accoustic version of Cherub Rock, which is very good with some awesome brushwork on the drums. Today live is a lot faster and just overall sounds sooo much better. Bugg Superstar is a quick interlude which sucks, but thats okay. I Am One sounds great live with a lot of jamming. Pulcesar is another interlude which is just kind of wierd, but cool. Soma and the b-side Slunk both are awesome here. French Movie Theme is probably my favorite of the interludes, with a kind of cool haunting melody. Geek USA live is AMAZING. Mayonaise accoustic is really pretty, though its shortened and the intro is gone. Silverf-ck live is GODLY. At 11 minutes, there is tons of jamming and lots of other stuff. the main riff is sped up to like twice the tempo. its brilliant. The last track, Why am I so Tired? is a 15 minute jam thats boring in places but really cool in others. its a nice relaxed way to end the cd.

All in all, this album is actually some of the pumpkins best work! I need to see the dvd of this stuff, cause its all amazing. Really, really amazing. Check it out!

Great!!!.......2005-03-30

This album is amazing, with the highest possible quality recording of the band at its live and creative peak. With great alternative and acoustic versions of their biggest hits alongside a varitety of fun, generally lighthearted original material. Some of it, especially the annoying "Pulseczar", can come off as filler, but it generally balances out quite well and shows the band's variety. The only thing better is the DVD of Vieuphoria, an even amazing documentary on one of rock's most underrated live bands.

Do your homework critics!!.......2004-07-15

This CD is a re-release of the original Earphoria of which very few copies were made. So comparing it to the "Greatest Hits," as the media reviewer has, is about the dumbest thing possible. It was originally released in 1994 as the soundtrack to the VHS of vieuphoria. One last comment on the media reviewer's comments: the guy obviously hasn't listened to this album. The version of Disarm on this CD is distorted and faster compared to the slow acoustic version on Siamese Dream. Get a brain Kim.

As far as the CD, I think it gives a good view of the live performances the pumpkins gave before they hit the spotlight on October 23, 1995 with the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Billy's singing voice isn't nearly as good as his studio recordings would leave you to believe during these sessions.

The acoustic version of Mayonaise is reason enough to buy this CD. It's probably one of the most emotional songs the Pumpkins ever recorded.

P.S. If you're going to review a CD (especially for a magazine or something) at least listen to it before reviewing it so you don't look like an idiot.

bad.......2004-05-15