My First Time Listening to Adore by The Smashing Pumpkins | My Reaction

Watch me react to my first time listening to Adore, the fourth studio album from alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins.
*all comments in this video are completely subjective and I am not a music expert.
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0:00 Intro
0:32 To Sheila
2:11 Ava Adore
4:08 Perfect
5:31 Daphne Descends
7:13 Once Upon A Time
8:38 Tear
10:18 Crestfallen
11:39 Appels + Oranjes
12:58 Pug
14:41 The Tale Of Dusty And Pistol Pete
16:22 Annie-Dog
18:06 Shame
19:33 Behold! The Night Mare
21:28 For Martha
23:38 Blank Page
25:21 My Final Thoughts
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[@george9822]

I’d like to describe this album as lullabies for adults. Very late 90s sound

[@hemingwaysbeards]

This gal's reactions are the best because she really seems like she's listening to these for the first time and she's sincere and doesn't try to sound like some kind of brainy music expert. I enjoy hearing someone younger than me with a fresh perspective react to and interpret these albums I'm familiar with and have all my own feelings and memories associated with.

[@mollyesanborn]

This comment is so sweet, thank you! I just really love music and sharing my feelings/perspectives on it, I'm so glad to hear that you're enjoying the videos ❤️

[@PeteOliva]

Over the years, this has evolved to become my actual favorite SP album. I will always consider SD and MCatIS as "better" albums and certainly their musical peak, but this is SUCH an easy and pleasant album to listen to. Perfect soundtrack to just doing stuff around the house or doing work at your desk. It has such a characteristic sound but also such a varied nature to it. I just love the album.

[@cactustactics]

I always like when your fav album isn't even the one you consider "the best" - it means there's just something special about it that elevates it somehow

[@mollyesanborn]

I love this comment, glad you appreciate Adore so much! This is such a beautiful record, definitely a different direction for them to go in with their sound but so relaxing and gorgeously layered. It's like you're floating when you listen to it, an album you can really sink into.

[@chadarra]

Perfect is considered the sequel to 1979. They even got the same people from the 1979 video to appear in the music video for Perfect.

[@ShaqPlaque]

4 out of 5 of the kids. The fifth was in jail unfortunately

[@iAkis4]

Billy Corgan .. one of the best songwriters ever..theend. 🎸🎧🎤

[@majimasmajimemes1156]

Sadly not anymore, considering the recent SP output.

[@roqueeeeeeeee]

@@majimasmajimemes1156 truth, but he did more than anyone else until machina. After that i canºt stand anything but 1 song - Mina Loy.

[@michaeljacyna1973]

The problem with this album at the time is that everyone was expecting at least some Cherub, Geek, XYU, Zero, FU and Ode, or Bullet.... this isnt that. Its great in its own right, but it took Pumpkins fans a long time to realize and accept that. Once you buy into what Billy was doing here, you can appreciate it without all the baggage. I'm glad you were able to go in without any preconceived notions.

[@Sadlander2]

I became a Pumpkin fan since the Siamese era. I remember very clearly when Adore was released. After Melon Collie, the fans were expecting another "rock" album with heavy guitars but got this instead and were very disappointed. Billy wrote the album after his mother (Martha) had passed away, so this was a very personal album for him. Also, Jimmy Chamberlin, their drummer was no longer in the band at that moment, so besides hiring drummers, they also experimented a lot with electronic beats. If you take this album without comparing it to the previous albums, you can't deny that it has great, great songs, even if you don't love how the songs were produced... It's a shame that so many fans gave up on the Pumpkins because they were disappointed by this album. By the way, Billy revealed that the name "Adore" was supposed to be/mean "Adore" but also "A Door" but no one ever made the connection.

[@badcaseofstripes]

Always loved this release, Pug is one of my favorite songs from them, pretty underrated stuff. Thank you!

[@mollyesanborn]

Fantastic album, I agree! Pug is so much fun, they throw on a ton of variety with that track. The Pumpkins always deliver on the creativity, that's for sure.

[@Sam_T2000]

_Adore_ is my dark horse favorite Smashing Pumpkins album… at very least, the _Adore/Machina_ era is my favorite 👌

[@chadmcfarland9660]

Emo masterpiece

[@cactustactics]

Behold! The dark horse

[@mollyesanborn]

This album is fantastic, I can see why it's your favorite! I love the dark, more somber tone of this one. I'm excited to continue on with the rest of their albums.

[@Sam_T2000]

@@mollyesanborn - you should listen to their B-side compilations eventually, too… they’re just as good as their studio albums! and Merry Christmas! 🎄🎄🎄

[@user-vx5le4te2c]

​@@chadmcfarland9660 emo? 🥴

[@rubencity9106]

I think this album is a masterpiece! It sounds so beautiful especially the piano as you mentioned and Billy's writing is so great.

[@mollyesanborn]

Absolutely, that piano really adds to the melodic gentleness that they really embraced on Adore.

[@countquackula8539]

I truly believe the song "Love" from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was an inspiration for this albums sound.

[@mollyesanborn]

I can hear that! I'd say Love still has a lot more of that punchiness from their earlier music that Adore is largely lacking, but there are definitely a lot of similarities.

[@powerslave0606]

This album transmits such a vibe... it's like overwhelmingly soothing, but like a "comfy overwhelming" sensation. Shame makes my day during those mellancholy days.

[@mollyesanborn]

You nailed it, this album is very soothing! It's almost got a lullaby quality to it but there's also a twinge of melancholy to it as well.

[@powerslave0606]

@@mollyesanborn Man, the lullaby-esque aspect was right on point. The atmosphere obligated me to lay down while listening, and as soon as Billy entered on To Sheila I was smiling just like you at the beginning.

[@Josh_Stuchbery]

You're my favourite music reaction/review channel Molly. The way you describe and interpret the music is so interesting. You've become very good at it! Definitely far better than many other channels, where someone is just silently sitting there nodding and not saying a word. As for the album, it's often seen as a black sheep. It lacks the heaviness of the other ones so many people don't know what to make of it. However if you have an open mind it is really incredible. The fact that each album has it's own unique sound is what makes them such an interesting band. My favourite song on Adore is Perfect. I think you will really like Machina.

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate that. ❤️ Glad you're enjoying the channel, and happy holidays to you! Yeah, Adore was such a fascinating listen for me. Definitely a lot more pulled in and melodic than their first three records, but I think it works beautifully. I also appreciate that the Smashing Pumpkins didn't attempt to copy and paste their sound from Mellon Collie just because it was well received, I always appreciate bands that continue to evolve and change their sound. Like you said, it makes their discography incredibly diverse. Each album brings something different to the table. I am very much looking forward to hearing Machina next!

[@MilesTippett]

I just watched your Mellon Collie an hour ago, and hoped to myself.... "Hope she does Adore soon....." Thanks!

[@mollyesanborn]

Oh wow that was good timing! I read your mind haha. Hope you enjoy the reaction :)

[@ryanguertin8028]

I'm really enjoying your reactions to my all-time favorite band. I hope you continue to go through their albums sequentially; perhaps you might go back and react to Pisces Iscariot, which was a collection of b-sides released in 1994, between SD and MCIS. I love listening to my favorite records "with" someone who has never before heard them. Keep it up, my friend. Cheers!

[@mollyesanborn]

Glad you're enjoying the Smashing Pumpkins content! They're such a talented band and I'm loving my journey into discovering their music. I actually did a reaction to Pisces Iscariot a while back on the channel if you're interested in watching it :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoPCaJmNq86npLssi=rGiclQ9kYaIYr7Ly

[@ryanguertin8028]

@@mollyesanborn, Looking forward to it!

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

Masterpiece! My fav pumpkins record.

[@mollyesanborn]

This one was fantastic! I was worried it wasn't going to rise up to the bar they set with Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie but I should've known that Smashing Pumpkins would come through with the creativity. They always do!

[@someguyontheinternet2714]

@@mollyesanborn Glad you enjoyed it Molly! Always love watching your reactions. Happy Holidays!

[@gregkrazanski]

over time i realized this is my fave album of theirs. i remember not loving it when it came out, but i can't get enough of it these days

[@LilGamez21]

I was hearing this album for the first time at work and I was driving this mini dump truck through this back trail at this big golf course in Florida hauling dirt anyways once Daphne Descends starting playing I was so in trance with the instrumentals that I can't explain it, it was like I wasn't driving the mini dump truck, but I watching the trail ahead of me moving and the sight of the trees and the feel of the breeze idk it was like I was high off of this song. It's crazy to explain and all I felt in that moment was bliss.

[@dannyvalentine468]

This vid has me wanting to relisten to this record. Behold the nightmare & Annie Dog where always personal favs. This record is beautiful and its a shame its a wee bit under the radar Cant wait for the Machina reaction cause that album is wicked! Happy holidays

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah, definitely go give Adore a re-listen! This album is great, there's a really strong moodiness, kind of a melancholiness across this whole project that I find very mesmerizing actually. Annie Dog especially I noticed that, great track! I'm really looking forward to Machina now, you've got me even more excited to hear it! Happy holidays to you as well :)

[@dannyvalentine468]

@@mollyesanborn with Annie Dog, Billy sounds like he's genuinely tearing up on it which really elevates the whole mood Also all I'll say about Machina is Blue Skies Bring Tears... be prepared for it!

[@Malum09]

Specially if she listens to Machina II, that one is wack!

[@cactustactics]

@@Malum09 Machina 2 has some absolute bangers on it, everyone was all "why the hell wasn't X on Machina when Y was??"

[@Malum09]

@@cactustactics Here’s To the Atom Bomb (new wave version) is one of my top 5 SP songs

[@LetsGetHighOnMorris]

Appels + Oranjes is one of my favorite Pumpkins songs.

[@mollyesanborn]

Great choice, such a fantastic track!

[@nebulous8389]

Before I heard this, the record store employees said this album was boring. I love distorted guitars but i was blown away by, how beautiful and haunting this album is. My faves are Daphne Descends and Apples + Oranges, but so many great songs. I don't know how many albums you will listen to of the pumpkins, i saw finish the 90s catalog. But their post 2007 album Oceania is a must! An underrated Gem.

[@mollyesanborn]

That's too bad they felt that way, it's definitely a more somber and restrained album but most certainly not boring (at least to my ears). There are so many different sounds and textures they bring to the table on Adore. Like you said it has a great haunted quality to it, a sort of darkness that I love. Daphne Descends is incredible, those twinkly electronic sounds always stand out when I listen to it. Something so transportive about its sound, I feel like I'm floating. But I'll definitely do more Smashing Pumpkins albums, I'm really curious where they're going to take their sound from here.

[@cranboogie]

Merry Christmas, Molly! Thanks for the Pumpkins! 🌀🌀🌀🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for watching, Merry Christmas to you as well! :)

[@chadmcfarland9660]

This one is so underrated. You got goose bumps on Night Mare. You get it.

[@mollyesanborn]

Yes I absolutely loved Adore! I was worried it wasn't going to live up to the bar they set with Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie, but they proved me wrong. So much creativity and nuance with the sound on this one, a beautiful addition to their discography.

[@justincarpenter1197]

THIS is the their best album and it’s not even close. The others are great, (and they are probably my favorite band all time) this is a wonderful autumn evening album…definitely not something to play at a party unless everyone else there is super cool

[@wjcolclasure]

As a Pumpkins fan, this album was such a stark difference without Jimmy drumming and kind of hard to digest at the time, but looking back, it has some of the best song writing and creativity of any album. The variety is amazing.

[@anastasio8588]

That's right!!!!!!!!😊

[@jeffreyhowe2605]

Having grown up during this era of the 90s, this was the time when the Pumpkins started to lose their grip on the rock zeitgeist. This album (and lead single Ava Adore) was still insanely popular but it definitely felt like a chapter of the band coming to an end. Lots of naysayers too, due to the change in overall sound. It's always been an above average album in my eyes, even if it was a step below Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie (I mean, those albums back-to-back would be incredibly difficult to top for anyone). I think it's aged really well too, which is tough for so many albums influenced by electronic music at the time. If you wanted to review The Pumpkins' next album I'd be interested in your opinions on their evolution/devolution. Keep up the great work :)

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for the comment! Yeah they definitely strayed away from the rock edge of their previous three records, Adore has a much more mellow approach to their sound. I'll definitely plan on continuing with their albums and see where they go from here.

[@mouradb8030]

Billy Corgan wanted to explore. He didn't want to continue the same music again and again. Adore is different but it's a part of the SP's identity.

[@kb_78]

Awesome reaction. One of the most underrated, ahead of its time albums ever made. Billy takes a knock on his vocals a lot yet this album showcases his range beautifully. Haunting. This album is haunting. Love Billy’s own voice harmonies.

[@mollyesanborn]

Haunting is the perfect way to describe this album. It's so relaxing and yet there is a darkness to its tone as well. From what people have been telling me in the comments it sounds like Billy was going through a lot in his personal life at the time of making Adore and that really comes through in the somber tone of this record.

[@kb_78]

@@mollyesanborn Yeah for sure. Losing his mother amongst other things. Adore was considered a ‘failed’ album commercially but it was beautiful darkness. I feel like Machina takes a bit of the older albums and Adore and fuses them in an industrial sort of way. Excited for that. If you get a chance you should really check out all the different versions of Blissed and Gone on the Adore Deluxe album. That and Saturnine are tremendous B sides. This bands B sides are better than so many bands LPs.

[@SadPeterPan1977]

This ones a bit of a mixed bag for me as a Pumpkins fan. It's a fine album but I hate that they left off some of the best songs they wrote for this album like Let Me Give The World To You or Blissed and Gone...this is a familiar complaint amongst Pumpkins fans for all their albums if you dig into the back catalogue of demos and unreleased songs. I also think that the stripped back nature of the album hurts some of the best songs on the album. Pug, Annie-Dog and Blank Page are fine album tracks but the live versions of them just soar to heights they can't reach in the stripped back versions.

[@mollyesanborn]

I'll definitely have to give some of the b-sides from this album a listen.

[@SadPeterPan1977]

Here are a few examples. They're not necessarily the best versions/recordings I've heard but seem to be the best available on KZbin: My Mistake - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKnZqZWgnJyKm8U Blissed And Gone - kzbin.info/www/bejne/inW8lmx7ZrZ1m9U Let Me Give The World To You - kzbin.info/www/bejne/ravPaIuOo51gj6M (acoustic) vs kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ25Y3urZtSer6ssi=g2G9vNPdR_N2WLWq&t=2404 (live full band) A few live versions Blank Page - kzbin.info/www/bejne/poDOc2N_nKh1lbssi=gNPSk0yJBVedItqe&t=5967 Pug - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aavXlHVso9Rom9U Annie Dog - kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2LVhHV7Z7Jkgsk

[@AdanZuniga-du5ml]

Love your reactions ❤ sp forever!!

[@tonyschannel7438]

There are a couple Smashing Pumpkins songs released around this time that never made it to the album but were featured on a couple movie soundtracks that you should definitely check out.First there's the song "Eye" which is featured on the soundtrack to the movie "Lost Highway" and then there's "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning" which is from the Batman and Robin soundtrack, and was also in the trailer for the 2009 movie "Watchmen", both songs are fantastic!

[@mollyesanborn]

I have actually heard Eye before, I love that track! It has such a haunted, creepy tone to it. I'd love an entire Pumpkins album with the same vibe that Eye has. I'll have to give the other track a listen though, thanks for letting me know!

[@Xenon0000000000001]

@@mollyesanborn FYI. There's two versions of the Batman and Robin track, "The End is the Beginning Is the End" and "The Beginning is the End is the Beginning", with the former being the lead track and the later being a slower, stripped-down version.

[@pazwretzky4673]

they were reduced to a 3 piece when they recorded this album, which is why it feels stripped back in comparison to previous albums, it doesn't take away though from how beautiful it sounds..Billy's so masterful in how he constructs his songs, weaving soothing melodies though his lyrics and music, so dreamy, pure heaven..the backing vocals are D'arcy on bass, and James guitar, but as you said there were also songs where vocals were layered as well

[@mollyesanborn]

That makes a lot of sense, there is a very minimalistic quality to Adore compared to their earlier records. They really made it work though, it's still such a complex and layered album. Lots of different sounds they worked with. And thanks for the explanation on the vocals too, I was wondering if they used a second vocalist or not.

[@pazwretzky4673]

@@mollyesanborn also I forgot to add, that the song perfect, took me back to their song 1979 in terms of how it sounds, like "sister songs"

[@FlareDaPear]

@@pazwretzky4673 the music video for perfect is a continuation of the 1979 music video actually, it has the same actors and everything

[@porkchop002]

Super underated album from the Pumpkinms IMO. As others have said, it's such a 'beginning of the end' for their signature 90s sound, and I think it was dismissed too quickly because of it. So glad you got around listening to this, Molly! Thanks for all the work you do - such a fan. Also love Skyrim in the background...always bring me a smile :) P.S check out the video clip for 'Perfect'...it's a sequal to '1979 ' from Mellon Collie & The Infiniate Sadness thematically, and a lot of the actors from the '1979' video clip we're brought back as young adults back for the Perfect video (minus one or two...from memory Billy said they had found themselves in prison!)

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for the comment, glad you're enjoying the channel! Yeah I thought Adore was great, certainly different from their first three records but I really enjoyed hearing this gentler, more melodic side to their sound. I'll have to give the videos for both 1979 and Perfect a watch now, thanks for letting me know!

[@fromhighestbelltower]

In 1998 released PJ Harvey 'Is This Desire?' and The Cardigans 'Gran Turismo' that perfect demonstrate how should mixing alt' rock with electronic!

[@liamcasey1580]

Love your channel Molly. Thank you for all the SP reviews!

[@mollyesanborn]

Aw thanks so much! Glad you're enjoying the Smashing Pumpkins content :)

[@glx3846]

Merry Christmas Molly! I enjoyed the reaction to the Pumpkins

[@mollyesanborn]

Merry Christmas to you as well! Thanks for watching :)

[@calebcoleman6138]

Hey thanks for these videos its cool to hear what people pick up on their first listens to these albums!

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying them :)

[@Evocati2008]

As always, cool reaction and review. Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to you and your family

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you so much! Happy holidays to you as well :)

[@fivestringserenade]

was looking forward to this album reaction!

[@mollyesanborn]

Hope you enjoy the video! Yeah, this album was great. Smashing Pumpkins really captured a unique tone on this one that brought a new sound to their music, I really enjoyed it!

[@Joelster-og4pf]

So glad you heard it. One of my favourite Smashing Pumpkins albums, which I so wish got its love.

[@JayTheRed602]

For Martha is breathtaking

[@abelsanchez2070]

Behold the Nightmare! is my current favorite SP song at the moment

[@mollyesanborn]

I love that one as well! Something very cinematic about it, it's got such a big sound to it.

[@user-ln1dp7sg5h]

I haven't listened this until now with your video. Such an amazing album as usual from this magnificent band. Thanks for being continue exploring such great music albums. A Huge Hug for you Molly & Happy New Year 🤗🤗🤗😘🎊🎉

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for watching! I hope you get the time to listen to Adore in full, this album is an amazing experience from beggining to end. A lot of textures going on and tons of creativity, even though it's more pulled in than their previous albums. Wishing you a happy new year as well :D

[@inphanta]

I was very pleased to see this video on Boxing Day morning. Adore was the last great Pumpkins album, IMO. At the time, reactions were mixed because many wanted (and expected) more of their usual sound but after the bombast of Mellon Collie, I think stripping everything back was the best thing to do. It seems to be remembered more fondly now than it was when it released which proves that a lot of people just weren’t ready for it at the time.

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for watching, and happy holidays! I can see why a lot of fans of their earlier albums might have been disappointed with Adore, it's certainly a lot more restrained and melodic with its tone. I think it's such a beautifully done album though, so smooth and sort of haunted with its tone. Like you said, perhaps pulling everything back and going in a new direction was the smart move instead of trying to put out a Mellon Collie 2.0 so to speak. I'm glad that over time it seems to have been more well received.

[@alibabaschultz352]

I think Machina is MUCH better than Adore. In fact, I've always considered Machina to be their magnum opus.

[@gishgeek]

Thank you so much for reacting to my favorite album! Personally cannot get through “For Martha” without crying. Please take a minute to check out some of the live performances of “Tear” on KZbin. They have the grandiose sound that the studio wasn’t quite able to capture.

[@El_jaype]

I just love your work. And it’s amazing how the SP get to mesmerize us. The lyrics, the melodies, the smoothness and heaviness unexpectedly mixing perfectly. You have just won a fan Molly.

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you! So glad you're enjoying the videos. Yeah the Smashing Pumpkins are a special band, I'm glad to finally be discovering their music.

[@thissmellsokay]

I've been patiently waiting for this reaction video, I'm glad you received it in the same way I did. I can't understand the less than enthusiastic reception that the album got way back in the day, it's gorgeous and brooding.

[@mollyesanborn]

I completely agree! I was worried going into this reaction that the Smashing Pumpkins were not going to reach the bar they set with Siamese Dream/Mellon Collie but I think Adore is an absolutely gorgeous album. Very different in tone of course but equally as creative to their earlier work.

[@Agostoic]

Lessgo! An Adore reaction for Christmas? You're awesome Molly. This is one of the underrated gems of the late 90s, a beautiful grower.

[@mollyesanborn]

Heck yeah! Merry Christmas, thanks for watching. Yeah Adore was a fantastic listen, definitely a different direction for Smashing Pumpkins but I love how smooth and melodic this one was.

[@whatdothlife4660]

Oh I missed this in my notifications! This is in my top ten albums of all time. The unique quality to Billys voice on this album is due to him taking vocal lessons before makign the album.

[@Artimesia]

It's been a while since hearing this album, and it was really nice hearing it again...I think lumping together a few words you mentioned is actually quite fitting, a gorgeous, peaceful, tornado, in fact, just seeing how you were feeling the music was all that needed to be said Molly...there's music that makes you wanna move, and there's music that moves you

[@mollyesanborn]

Hope you enjoyed your little re-listen of Adore. This album was quite a pleasant surprise, I was a bit worried the Smashing Pumpkins weren't going to be able to rise up to the bar they set with Siamese Dream/Mellon Collie but they proved me wrong. Tons of creativity with this one and I liked the direction they took their style in as well. Like you pointed out, it's music that really moves you, a lot of emotion to this record.

[@4183RtdF]

Hi again! And yeah this album is so cinematic. A real pleasure to see your smiles feeling the sweet pumkings flavors of my favorite tracks: perfect and apples+oranges

[@mollyesanborn]

Yes, there is a very theatrical tone to Adore that I really enjoyed. Even though it's a more restrained project than their first three records, they still managed to capture a really impressive atmosphere with its tone.

[@matts1061]

tear is my personal favorite

[@MisterMcKnight]

I recommended Ava Adore to you (my favorite SP song) like over a year ago on a totally different video and you finally made it, so happy to see this review full circle moment haha. Keep crushing it with the reviews molly.

[@mollyesanborn]

Nice, glad I finally got to your recommendation (sorry it took a year haha). Thanks for watching :)

[@twilightmind75]

I was so disappointed with Adore the first time I listened to it upon its release. It sat on my shelf for months and then one night I threw it back in and was immediately swept away by it's lush, moody tunes. Definitely an underrated album.

[@Lone-wolf-1982]

What a wonderful reaction Molly. I haven't been to your channel for several weeks, just got busy around the holidays. You are by far one of the best music reactors on YT. I love your varied choices of artists. If you continue with the Smashing Pumpkins, try checking out "The Airplane Flies High" box set.

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you so much! Glad you're enjoying the channel. And yeah I'll definitely have to give The Aeroplane Flies High a listen at some point!

[@Christopher-Baltimore]

I have a playlist where I have taken out the two singles from Adore, Ava Adore and Perfect, and it is a lovely listen. Adore has a lot to offer. Now to watch your reaction. *** Great video, Molly. I’m not a fan of Ava Adore’s lyrics, though I think the song is very well written. Corgan was always a top notch songwriter. My favorite track is For Martha, a song about the passing of his mother. I think the lyrics go, “Wild horses we are born/creatures more than torn/mourning our way home”. That song paints for me such a clear picture of the line between life and death that I see a light. Thanks again, Molly. Have a Happy New Year’s Eve! P.S. Their drummer Jimmy Chamberlain was fired from the band three or so shows into the Mellon Collie tour and was not back until the album after Adore. Jimmy’s absence is clearly noticeable . I’m not going to retype the long history of what happened. Suffice to say he od’d and their touring keyboardist did too, but he died. Jimmy had a horrible heroin addiction apparently. Anyway, that’s what I’ve read. This album lacks the hard drumming of other 🎃 albums (though it hasn’t always been Jimmy on the kit).

[@mollyesanborn]

Happy new year to you as well! There's definitely a lot of great moments on this record. I personally love the tone of it, more pulled in and melodic. There's something very soothing about Adore, it feels like I'm floating while listening to it. The lack of their drummer is very noticeable, knowing that he wasn't on this album makes a lot of sense with how much softer it is tonally. I look forward to hearing the rest of their albums now.

[@kevinstarofficial]

The mindblowing fact is that all the voices that harmonize with Billy on this album (like on the first song), they are all Billy as well.

[@deluchetv]

Adore is the diamond in the story of the pumpkins, I look forward to seeing you listening to Machina. Happy New Year from Brazil.

[@mollyesanborn]

Can't wait to hear Machina! And happy new year to you as well :)

[@raychavez9526]

So glad to see you get to this album!! Can we expect a Machina reaction soon?

[@mollyesanborn]

Glad you enjoyed Adore as well! Such a fantastic album. I will definitely plan on a Machina reaction as well, not sure when I'll get to it but I am looking forward to hearing more from the Pumpkins! :)

[@Malum09]

The Album that everyone calls underrated so much people have started to doubt it’s underrated in recent years.

[@mollyesanborn]

Whether it's underrated or not, it's definitely a beautiful album.

[@pabloibarra1949]

I love this album! was my first album that I bought of them and make me fan! Adore is different but has a high quality like others , thanks Molly for this reaction! I recommend Oceania too!.

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah I thought Adore was such a well done album. Certainly different in terms of its tone from their earlier work but equally as creative and brings a ton of variety to the table, just in a more subtle way. I look forward to hearing more from the Pumpkins, including Oceania :)

[@MPC-js2ob]

I really enjoy your Smashing Pumpkins reviews!!! : ) I hope you keep reviewing them! : ) One of the hardest working bands in the industry! : )

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah, I'll definitely plan on doing more of their albums! Such a talented band, I'm really enjoying my dive into their music.

[@donaldplays4343]

​@@mollyesanborn Thanks! : ) I like the diversity of their music! : ) Shoegaze, psychedelic, electronica, classical, ballads, metal. It is crazy but it works! : )

[@brettschacht4183]

Another great reaction! Not my favorite Pumpkins record, but still utterly unique and Billy's songwriting prowess remains strong here. Another vote for you tackling Jane's Addiction ( the back-to-back brilliance of Nothing's Shocking and Ritual de lo Habitual rivals Siamese Dream/ Mellon Collie). Happy holidays, Molly!

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah this record was a fantastic listen! Even if it's not their best necessarily there is no denying the crazy levels of creativity that they always bring to their music. I actually really enjoyed hearing a gentler side to their sound on Adore, and that piano is beautiful across this entire album. I'll be sure to consider some Jane's Addiction reactions in the near future, seems like a lot of people want me to hear their music. And happy holidays to you as well! :)

[@themadcow71]

Happy Holidays Molly! I remember when Pumpkins opened for Jane's Addiction when they first started out. Hope you to Jane's soon. Keep rocking and thank you!

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for watching, and happy holidays to you as well! I'll have to check out Jane's Addiction soon, I know they've been suggested by some others as well. I've got them on my list :)

[@jakesmith6233]

Start with Nothing Shocking

[@dukestarbored]

Going to go listen to this one now and relive some memories.

[@heyskipj]

Love the fresh ears and review! This was whiplash for fans like me. The entire time waiting for that I Am One or Cherub Rock moment. Add to that Billy was going full goth thjis LP left me confused! The real kicker was Jimmy. No Jimmy? I want Jimmy! Jimmy! I took away "Perfect," "Tear," and "Behold!" but really don't listen to them often. I think the Machina follow-up was even better than Mellon Collie. And Jimmy's back! Side note. Billy Corgan was going through a divorce and mother's death during Adore. He called Adore was made by a band falling apart. Greatly affected tone.

[@mollyesanborn]

Thanks for the comment! I can see why this album was quite an adjustment for you, definitely more mellow and restrained with its sound. I didn't know that about Billy's divorce and the death of his mother at the time of making this album, like you said that really explains the somber tone that it has. But I'm really excited for Machina next, hearing you say you like it more than Mellon Collie makes me very intrigued to hear it.

[@heyskipj]

​@@mollyesanborn You'll note the drumming vs. drum machine right away! Heavy Metal Machine only works when heard live.

[@TheRealEricMitchell]

You’re amazing Molly!! 🥰

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you! Hope you enjoy the video :)

[@TheRealEricMitchell]

@@mollyesanbornalways do!! You’re addicting af to watch

[@davesanborn2285]

Drawn to "To Sheila"" and "Crestfallen" but "For Martha" truly wrecked me...can't stop crying 😭

[@mollyesanborn]

For Martha makes me cry too. The lyrics hit very hard ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@robbiepeterh]

This album aged well I loved it at the time it came out but it was described as career suicide at the time. It was the last great album from Billy to us. He was like a great supernova in the 90s.

[@mollyesanborn]

I loved Adore, it was certainly a bold move for the band to change up their style as much as they did. I'm curious to hear where they're going to take their sound on the rest of their albums.

[@MOGO8907]

There it is

[@JordanPeacock]

Honestly, after Machina/Machina II, this is my favorite Pumpkins record; For Martha and Daphne Descends in particular are some of their best songs, period.

[@lucas.petrelli]

Mary Star of the Sea by Zwan is waiting for you like an Endless Summer.

[@mollyesanborn]

I'll make sure that it's on my list, thanks :)

[@alibabaschultz352]

Great record. It's basically a happy/ hippy version of Siamese Dream.

[@adamt2398]

Behold! The Night Mare is one of the best song ever made

[@aperturius]

Nice overview of the album! Like someone else said in the comments, i find this to be the Pumpkins' last great album. I'd be curious to see your reaction to Machina. There are some good tracks, but so many songs are buried in synth and overproduction that it's hard to digest. Billy also indulges some of his worst egotistical and self-indulgent habits, especially in the song Glass and the Ghost Children.

[@alibabaschultz352]

Perhaps its your own biases. I assume you dont enjoy Progressive or Fusion? Machina is an absolute masterpiece, but not for the faint of heart, or those seeking "pop" songs.

[@auzzieamerican]

The piano notes on that song called 17 are the same as the vocal line on a Pumpkins b-side track called "Blissed and Gone". Definitely recommend that one since you liked this album. Great reactions & thank you!

[@mollyesanborn]

Oh that's cool, thanks for telling me! I'll have to check out Blissed and Gone.

[@auzzieamerican]

@@mollyesanbornyou’re very welcome! Looking forward to your thoughts on Machina if you do that one.

[@dasninjastix]

This is the last great Pumpkins' album imo, even though it's without Jimmy Chamberlain. Mellon Collie will always be my favorite but Adore is a close second. It's really a unique mix of all their sounds up to that point in terms of instrumentation and production. You hear some of that early Gish sound on For Martha, the guitar buzz from Siamese on Ava Adore, and the chill ambient build-up sound on To Sheila. Pug, Shame, and Once Upon a Time are standouts for me. It was a divisive album at the time, not unlike Kid A but I think Kid A was better received critically for its fresher, digital production switch than Adore was. Adore is a special album, very out of time sounding even today. Try as I might to love Machina I couldn't, that was trying to go back to capture something that just wasn't there anymore, even though Chamberlain is brilliant on that album the songwriting doesn't have the same strength as album's prior. I really dig Machina II and would strongly recommend it to anyone who hasn't heard it (it can be downloaded for free) though it's a very raw production. Cool reaction, this is an album that should be revisited by fans and newcomers alike. I end up listening to Adore more than Siamese Dream and Gish which is kinda crazy looking back on things.

[@alibabaschultz352]

Machina is his magnum opus

[@raiden6441]

YAYYY

[@mollyesanborn]

:D

[@devon_darko]

I love this album as much as MCIS, Siamese Dream, and Gish but in a totally different way. It's their forgotten goth gem. Many of their most beautiful songs are on here and it's unfairly overlooked.

[@mollyesanborn]

I know exactly what you mean. I absolutely love their first three records, but this album is something different. Not better or worse, just an entirely different style and mood to it. Very relaxing, also a bit somber. I love that their discography is so varied.

[@jacobseal]

When it first came out there was a bit of a WTF reaction from Pumpkins fans. They were one of the great guitar rock bands of the day and also had the best rock drummer of the decade.... then they put out what is pretty close to sounding like a depeche mode record. Once you get past the shock of it, Adore is really a beautifully written and well produced album. It has aged really well. So has the final album of the original run, Machina. I dont know what happened to Billy, but he is no longer able to write songs like this. Just getting older, more comfortable, and more sober perhaps

[@UpLateGeek]

I was in high school when this album came out, really into my TSP phase, I had my own personal TSP radio station playing in my head, 24x7. I could relate anything to a Smashing Pumpkins song, and just start quoting lyrics at any moment. When this album came out, I found it fascinating how different it was to their previous albums. One day a couple of weeks after the album release I got to school and my friend asks me "Did you go to the Smashing Pumpkins concert last night?" and I was just like WHAAAAAAAT? Turns out they flew in to Sydney to play a secret gig with almost no publicity, so I had no idea they were playing! I found out later that it was professionally recorded, both audio and video, possibly even broadcast on TV locally, and eventually I got my hands on a copy on VHS. Anyway, the music video for Ava Adore is one of my favourites. I won't spoil it if you're going to watch it, but it's incredibly well directed. I'll just say the entire thing was filmed in one continuous, unbroken shot, which is especially impressive when you consider how it was recorded.

[@jstall20]

Darcy and James did a lot of harmonizing vocals on the album. It’s too bad they felt so alienated by the process of making this album it’s a real gem.

[@mollyesanborn]

I love their harmonizing, all three of their voices go so well together.

[@onezerostar]

The vocals are all Billy on the album. Check those liner notes though.

[@ExcellentChalsTransit]

Adore is a fascinating album, a lot of people overlook it but its super great as well!

[@mollyesanborn]

I completely agree, I loved this album!

[@mr_boo_berry]

Adore. Ahhhh, Adore indeed. It's the Smashing Pumpkins album that unfortunately did alienate a lot of fans at the time due to the drummer Jimmy Chamberlin being fired from the band and all the electronic elements, but like fine wine I feel it aged rather well. I admit, I had to listen to the album a couple times before it started to grow on me. But when it finally did, whew, it was amazing. Pug, Daphne Descends and Crestfallen are probably my favorite tracks off the album. I've thought about it a lot, and I've come to the conclusion, to me at least, the album is a representation of Autumn. It has this melancholy (ha, see what I did there?) undertone and element of darkness (or a dark cloud) to some of the tracks. In my mind, it's like the dark parts are a cloudy day and the parts like the soaring choruses (Pug) are like breaks in the clouds to let light in for a few moments, if that makes sense? Regardless, I feel like it's their darkest and most bleak album so far. Machina I is next, and Jimmy's back! But... I've never been able to connect fully with that album, not because the songs are bad (they're not!), but because the mix of the album (with its huge wall of sound) drowns out things like Billy's vocals, and it kinda ruins it for me. I wonder if you'll notice it too when you listen to it? I find I have to lower the overall volume to listen to it or else the digital clipping (due to the dynamic range compression used) causes audible distortions. Billy's been working on re-releasing Machina (I and II) and remixing it for over 10 years now, but he's had issues with the record label doing so. Bummer, I'd really like to hear the remixed version of Machina. P.S. You might consider checking out the deluxe editions of Gish, Siamese Dream, Melon Collie and Adore (and Pisces Iscariot and The Aeroplane Flies High) as there's a HUGE treasure trove of bonus tracks, outtakes, remixes, live tracks, demos, etc. Adore's deluxe edition has some very interesting tracks, including the full-on banjo version of To Sheila.

[@YONATOOTH]

Happy New Year 🎉

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you so much! Happy new year to you as well 🥳

[@HohnerCornell]

I love this cd and it has a great great production. I bought it shortly after it came out and I was 10 or 11. Ava Adore is my fav song by them (what a bass), and it has other great songs like Pug, To Sheila, Perfect, Daphne descends,...

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah so many great tracks on Adore! I think my favorite at the moment is Daphne Descends, there's such an amazing richness to the sound on that one and I love the twinkly electronic noises too, like stars in the sky. As you mentioned the production across this whole project is gorgeous.

[@metalboy27]

Check out the song "Eye" as well. It was a b-side and on a soundtrack or something I think. They put it on their hits album but it's from this same era and it's one of my favorites.

[@mollyesanborn]

I've actually heard it! It's from the Lost Highway soundtrack. I love the creepy tone that it has, great track!

[@mouseshadow5828]

Fun Fact: James Iha(guitar) joined A Perfect Circle in 2003

[@mollyesanborn]

I didn't know that! Thanks for letting me know.

[@cactustactics]

Haha that "dayum" reaction to Daphne Descends - there are some amazing songs on this album huh, it's such a vibe. Their live shows captured it too, everyone in black with multiple percussionists and stuff, and reinterpreting the older songs through that a little And yeah Billy often layers his voice, but James and especially D'arcy sing backing on some songs too - they both have pretty soft voices and Billy's tone really dominates, so it can be hard to pick them out unless you know them. Farewell and Goodnight on MCIS has them all sing lead on a few lines if you're interested! James usually sings lead on the songs he writes too Oh hey Molly, have you ever listened to Elliott Smith? Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who had a real way of writing songs and lyrics, and lots of cool sounds and textures especially on the later albums. I think you'd like!

[@mollyesanborn]

Haha yeah Daphne Descends is currently my favorite from Adore, I absolutely love the tone of it! Such a richly textured song. I'll have to try and pick up on all of their vocals with future listens to this album, their voices all go so well together that it is really hard to tell when it's a different vocalist. And Elliott Smith, the name rings a bell so perhaps I've heard a few songs from him or maybe he's been suggested before... I'll have to check his music out!

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

17 is a snippet of a song called blissed and gone which I always hated they left off the album but it was too long for a single CD. I think this was initially plan to be a double album but their record label said no Also the backing vocals are here on this album and every album before is Darcy and James. But they really shine all over this album. This album is the result of wanting to change musical directions, losing their drummer and then Billy going through a divorce and his mother's death. This album's got so much undeserved hate for being a different album It seemed like nobody really listened to it to how beautifully fantastic this album is. Yeah at the electronic bits get a little dated but at the core these are the best songs Billy has ever written.

[@onezerostar]

Blissed and Gone *

[@punker-gamer-trucker-guy]

​@@onezerostarOh thank you. I don't know why autocorrect hates that word.

[@user-vx5le4te2c]

I'm with others who have said this and the following machina era are the best releases from the band.

[@chaosinfyrno]

I love this album so much

[@mollyesanborn]

I love it too, such a beautiful album!

[@ottoman666]

I've never really listened to smashing pumpkins much because I'm not a fan of his vocals but they do have some interesting sounds/textures in their songs

[@mollyesanborn]

Yeah their music is incredibly layered, it's really impressive!

[@aaronbenson2767]

Adore is such an underrated gem of an album. It’s a real shame that it wasn’t given its much deserved due upon its initial release. Coming after two universally acclaimed masterpieces, it’s easy to see why fans weren’t taken with the different tonal direction, which is a shame. It’s their most complete album in terms of themes, overall scope, and style. The only flaw is that it runs longer than it necessarily needs, so it loses steam towards the end. It’s become my favorite album of theirs. Fabulous reaction to this album! I’ve seen a few of your previous reactions and it’s great to see people enjoying albums as whole works as they were intended, rather than just singles.

[@mollyesanborn]

I completely agree, Adore is such a beautiful record and I love the direction they took their sound in on this one. And that makes me happy that you've been enjoying the channel! :)

[@manolochapa7534]

Amazing album

[@mollyesanborn]

I agree, Adore is amazing!

[@mattalgrand]

This album was way ahead of its time. It took Smashing Pumpkins fans a good twenty years for them to realize ADORE is one of their best efforts, if not *the* best.

[@mollyesanborn]

A fantastic album, Adore brings something completely new to the table that in my opinion is a gorgeous addition to their discography.

[@johnnelson3665]

Molly I adore. 💯

[@mollyesanborn]

Aw thank you! :)

[@mercurymachines4311]

Fantastic reaction. Adore is an incredible that was appreciated at the time for the Masterpiece that it is but now it's considered as many fans favourite Album of theirs. Billy Corgan did an amazing job with Adore. On to Machina 😏

[@mollyesanborn]

I agree, Adore is a fantastic addition to the Smashing Pumpkins' discography. Glad you enjoyed the reaction! :)

[@justincarpenter1197]

Behold! The nightmare! Was a very different tuning DADFAD I think? Billy jokingly said this was his “acoustic album” But I think the bass chords, for a lot of it is recorded with acoustic guitars, and those acoustic guitars has a number of different phasers and flanges to give it some of those extra swooshy sounds. Also, Daphne Descends I one of my favorite all time tunes…i below the tone you really like on that song is the (EBow) if you’ve never heard of it, it’s this little magnet thing you place on a single string and the magnet makes the string vibrate on its own and turns it into a constant sustain sound but in the note you’re pressing with the fret hand…( sounds like a violin or keyboard) this use then James uses theses a bunch on this album too…”shame” has one playing entire song…sorry if I’m man-splaining or shame-splaining?

[@simonbergeron7284]

Here is very good live version of Daphne Descends, and we see/hear what the E-Bow brings to the song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKucmX-aiJ2ppJI

[@JpuddN]

For Martha is about the death of Corgan's mom. It's an amazing song, and even more so with that context. He's done some interviews and goes into it, I recomend looking into that song :)

[@mollyesanborn]

Thank you for letting me know!

[@willpina]

@@mollyesanborn I think that the reason why that song has that extra long outro is because he's not ready to say a final goodbye to his mom

[@benhernandez7556]

The best American band of the 90's (with Nirvana right behind them). An underrated album.

[@sirrobert23]

I LOVE Siamese, and Melon Collie, but this one is my favorite. Love the dark feel of this one

[@mollyesanborn]

Yes, I love the tone of Adore as well! It's such a beautiful record.

[@sirrobert23]

@@mollyesanborn you’ll enjoy Machina then