Smashing Pumpkins ADORE (2LP)

Smashing Pumpkins: Billy Corgan, James Iha, D'Arcy.Additional personnel: Brad Wood (vocals, organ); Bon Harris (vocals, programming); Dennis Flemion, Jimmy Flemion (vocals); Joey Waronker, Matt Cameron, Matt Walker (drums).Engineers include: Brad Wood, Bjorn Thorsrud, Howard C. Willing.ADORE was nominated for the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Performance.In the wake of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin's departure, the Pumpkins have taken a giant step away from the grunge-flavored, turbo-powered alt-rock anthems that made them famous. On ADORE, Billy Corgan and company opt instead for a more scaled-down approach that relies heavily on acoustic instruments and ballads of love and longing. Corgan may still be expressing angst here, but he does it in an understated, romantic way, addressing matters of the heart with subtlety and maturity on tunes like "Shame" and "To Sheila."Don't take all this acoustic-based balladry (a path also explored by James Iha on his solo debut) as a sign t