You know that band from the 90’s called Smashing Pumpkins? I do. I’ve listened to an awful lot of Smashing Pumpkins in the past. When I was 15 I listened to Mellon Collie and Siamese Dream pretty much non-stop for a year. I was fascinated by those albums. A friend gave me the viewphoria live collections VHS cassette. I can remember being spellbound by the live performances on there. I’d never seen anything quite like it. I was struck by this collection of weirdoes, the band themselves- the dysfunction, the energy, the passion. The especially weird, slightly effeminate front-man Billy Corgan seemed to personify that Alternative Rock Spirit, the youthful rage, the arrogance, the talent. The images of Billy, Jimmy, James and D’arcy on stage playing this incredible melodramatic music, building to frenzied crescendos, tearing through angry rock tracks and plunging into beautiful swirling guitar led soundscapes captured my young imagination completely. It was fucking exquisite. Musically, that band changed everything for me. They were one of the most important elements of my formative teenage music listening.But, yeah anyway that band broke up in 2001. I still listen to the pre-2001 releases from time to time. So there’s this thing called the American Gothic EP. Now, some people seem to think that Smashing Pumpkins have reformed. I think they’re wrong. I can count the amount of times that I’ve listened to Zietgeist, with my fingers. It wasn’t a horrible album ”“ and for a five hundred word review I’m going to have to avoid talking about the multi-edition releases for the major chain stores. But for me, it’s not Smashing Pumpkins anymore. I could talk about that for another thousand words, but suffice to say- as far as I’m concerned the Pumpkins should be remembered for what they did between Gish and Machina II. Musically, Billy is doing just enough to avoid being accused of digging up the beautiful corpse of Smashing Pumpkins and selling off its bits and pieces to the highest bidder. I guess. He does sail perilously close to the wind at times, though.So this American Gothic EP shows up and yeah, against my better judgement I let myself get a bit worked up over it. With a name like American Gothic I’m temped to expect the Zero EP all over again. I have to temper my excitement, and that teenage boy in me is expecting to hear Marqius in Spades part II as soon as I start this up. I’m all ready for some really Goth era Pumpkins alternative rock. I’m dreaming, of course. What I really get is a slightly dated acoustic ballad.Far be it from me to dismiss anything with the Smashing Pumpkins name to it so easily, however. Second time around and I’m feeling much more realistic about what this is going to offer me. Opener 'The Rose March' is actually a fairly sweet ballad that could easily have cropped up as a Machina b-side. As I listen to it more, it’s almost starting to feel like an actual Smashing Pumpkins song for a couple of seconds here and there. A classic take on the Pumpkins power-ballad Again, Again, Again is the head-and-shoulders highlight and goes even further towards making me feel like I’m listening to the band I know and love. It’s almost there. I wish they’d given this one a bit more of the 'Stand Inside Your Love' treatment, but it’s definitely there. The Machina feeling is definitely all over these recordings. I’m finding that the familiar sounds of Jimmy Chamberlain’s epic approach to the drums is the main element of this music that’s sparking some nice nostalgic feelings, I can sense a lot more of the Pumpkins spirit than I’ve heard for a long. long time.Unfortunately, the elements aren’t all quite falling into place just yet, the classic guitarwork of 90’s era Pumpkins is completely absent and Billy’s lyrics (that used to be fucking amazing) are at times reduced to things like "If I’m gonna live without you, I’d feel alone walking home." Ooooh ouch.But hey, I in no way planned to say this, but this E.P. is actually showing promise for the future of the Pumpkins. Did I just say that? Smashing Pumpkins? Future? Holy crap. Someone convince James Iha to give it a shot and we’ve got something serious on our hands here. If this band ever return to full strength there are some semi-talented indie chancers floating about waiting for a good hard slap ”“this legendary band would be the ones to show them what live performance is all about. Have you watched some of the old live performances? Woaaah. Silverfuck, Barcelona, 94. Enough said.Anyway, my original point still stands. You want Smashing Pumpkins? Great! Go and buy Siamese Dream. You’ll love it. This? Well I’m not sure what’s going on here. Serious fans should give it a considered listen, because (and I might be wrong on this) there could be a glimmer of the old days beginning to stir ever so slightly. Considered in isolation, however, (and I’ll put this bluntly) this is a fairly average collection of songs. 69%Links Smashing Pumkpins [official site] [myspace]