Smashing Pumpkins' 'Zeitgeist': 10 things to know on its 10-year anniversary
Though it’s not Smashing Pumpkins’ most critically acclaimed album, Zeitgeist proved to be a turning point for the band (who starred in AP 61, by the way). And the production of the album was unique from other creations at the time. For the 10-year anniversary of Zeitgeist, here are 10 things you might not have known about the album released on July 10, 2007.
Read more: 20 albums we can’t believe turn 10 this year
1. Last album with Jimmy
Zeitgeist was the Smashing Pumpkins’ last album to be produced with original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Chamberlin had a complicated relationship with singer Billy Corgan: Though Corgan has said in past interviews that he fired Chamberlin from the band due to drug issues and fights, Chamberlin said that he quit.
Their relationship is epitomized by a quote Corgan gave in an interview with Uncut: “We played like we were on fire, we broke each other, we broke everything near us, so the audience can sit in a comfortable chair and go, ‘Oh, that’s kind of interesting. Look at those two boys setting themselves on fire.’ I didn’t have to explain myself to him.”
Chamberlin rejoined the band in 2015 for their End Times Tour.
2. Influences of Pink Floyd
The band took a lesson from Pink Floyd in this album, particularly in the drum part for “United States.” Hear the band talk about the creation of the song at 3:55 in this interview above with Sirius XM.
3. Drums in “United States” were recorded in one take
In this 10-minute song, all of the drums were recorded in one take. Chamberlin’s got some stamina.
4. Analog recording
The Smashing Pumpkins used analog recording for Zeitgeist, with a reel-to-reel tape machine. In a promotional video for the album, Corgan said that v ery little editing was done for the album and no computers were involved.
5. Corgan regrets the album
Zeitgeist got mixed reviews, and Corgan admitted to being disappointed with the result and the crowd response. In an interview with The Denver Post, he said, “The failure of Zeitgeist to connect emotionally with people is what really hurts my soul, and I kick myself that I didn’t do a better job of translating what I wanted to translate.”
6. Global warming
The album art for Zeitgeist is a statement on global warming, with the Statue Of Liberty drowning in a sea of red water. The artist, Shepard Fairey, said in an interview with Billboard, “I think global warming is an issue that is currently relevant, time sensitive and a symptom of the shortsightedness of the U.S.”The Smashing Pumpkins also performed at Al Gore’s Live Earth concert in 2007, to benefit the fight against climate change.
7. The songs were originally kind of sad
In this interview with Sirius XM, the band show what the original version of “That’s The Way My Love Is” sounded like. It’s far less aggressive than the final recording, and Corgan admits that it’s sadder than what they wanted to have on the album. Hear the short performance at 1:30 in this video.
8. Producer Roy Thomas Baker
The Smashing Pumpkins hired producer Roy Thomas Baker to help with Zeitgeist. Baker had, in the past, worked with bands like Queen, Journey and the Cars.“Roy doesn’t give a fuck. He really doesn’t,” Corgan said about the legendary producer in a promotional video for the album. “Roy is not intimidated by anything or anybody.”
9. It’s just Billy and Jimmy
In the Inside The Zeitgeist documentary (at 5:10 in the video above), Corgan says that much of the Smashing Pumpkins’ work was created just by himself and Chamberlin, where Chamberlin would play the drums and Corgan would create every other sound. When Zeitgeist was released, only half of the original band members remained on the lineup.
10. Corgan bought an ad in the Chicago Tribune
[Photo by: Chicago Tribune]
Before getting a few band members back together for the Smashing Pumpkins’ Zeitgeist revival, Corgan took out a full-page ad in the Chicago Tribune to announce it in 2005. This lined up with the release of Corgan’s solo album, TheFutureEmbrace, in June of that year.
Which track on the album is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below!
