Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness [Deluxe Edition]
by The Smashing Pumpkins
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Dec 4, 2012
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 126 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 126
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 126
  3. Negative: 9 out of 126

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  1. thesaul
    Dec 6, 2012
    10
    In my opinion, the greatest album ever made. I was 15 when this come out, and this will always have a place in my life. Now I'm 33, No other album, by The Smashing Pumpkins or ANY band for that matter has ever come close...In a world like today, and the music scene how it is, This album is a much needed reminder that although music has dramatically declined over the past 10 years, It'sIn my opinion, the greatest album ever made. I was 15 when this come out, and this will always have a place in my life. Now I'm 33, No other album, by The Smashing Pumpkins or ANY band for that matter has ever come close...In a world like today, and the music scene how it is, This album is a much needed reminder that although music has dramatically declined over the past 10 years, It's nice to hold on to and that there is still hope for the future. 10/10… Expand
  2. CalR
    Dec 6, 2012
    10
    Few albums provide the nostalgic, emotional and grandiose rapture that Mellon Collie gave to a generation, and this is ultimately where it's power lies. Individually there appears to be dud tracks scattered throughout, yet as a whole the sheer scale, scope and range that Corgan undertook demonstrated not only were Smashing Pumpkins a serious rock force to be reckoned with but a trulyFew albums provide the nostalgic, emotional and grandiose rapture that Mellon Collie gave to a generation, and this is ultimately where it's power lies. Individually there appears to be dud tracks scattered throughout, yet as a whole the sheer scale, scope and range that Corgan undertook demonstrated not only were Smashing Pumpkins a serious rock force to be reckoned with but a truly fantastic band that sorta thrived on its differences to create some of the best music of the 1990s. Highlights for me include: 'here is no why', 'jellybelly', 'porcelina', 'muzzle', '1979', 'lily', 'thru the eyes of ruby', 'bodies' and many many more. For a lot of people this record bordered on obsession and I feel grateful that I manage to continue experiencing Mellon Collie in new ways through rearranging track listings and sticking those B-Sides on to make it last longer :)… Expand
  3. Nanometro
    Dec 6, 2012
    10
    I still can't say what I feel about Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, but after hearing it - I'm completely sure that this kind of music it's art at it's finest. This is probably the best double album that I've ever heard, avoiding the weakness of double albums - too much fillers and few good songs. But this album brings the best era of the Pumpkins, yet that some people and theI still can't say what I feel about Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, but after hearing it - I'm completely sure that this kind of music it's art at it's finest. This is probably the best double album that I've ever heard, avoiding the weakness of double albums - too much fillers and few good songs. But this album brings the best era of the Pumpkins, yet that some people and the critics still prefer Siamese Dream as it's best. Not only this reissue gives you remastered classics such as 'Tonight,Tonight' 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' and 'Thru the Eyes of Ruby' but also takes you to mid 90's, a different time, more dark songs and depressing lyrics. Listening to this Deluxe Edition it's like watching something in construction, songs like 'Medellia of Grey Skies [Thinking about Porcelina ?] 'Galapagos' 'Beautiful' and 'Jellybelly' with unfinished lyrics show us the direction that the Pumpkins took when they were recording this disk, while other songs like 'Phang [Excellent instrumental, it reminds me U.S.A Soundworks demo from SD's deluxe edition] and 'Methusela' could have been in the first Mellon Collie. All in all, this reissue is good for alternative scene fans and a must for Sp fans.… Expand
  4. De132
    Jan 11, 2013
    8
    One of the best albums of the 1990s is rereleased and it is still as good as ever. Pick it up, and travel back to "1979"...I mean 1995. You won't be disappointed.
  5. bladeagent
    Mar 1, 2014
    10
    Billy Corgan floods Mellon Collie with amazing songs filled with loud guitars, big drums, and haunting lyrics. With this album, The Pumpkins prove that they are one of the most creative bands of the 1990s.
  6. OhRly
    Dec 6, 2012
    10
    Oh the nostalgia, it's still a great album after all the years! This is the changing point in the Smashing Pumpkins sound, where they began to use electronic, and instrumental songs.
  7. codelirarte
    Dec 12, 2012
    10
    Well, the Pumpkins did it very well. It is a powerful and fresh album, full of catchy melodies and hard rock, a beautiful mixture. Beyond the importance of the album in the mid-90s, I think the bonus material is a nice reward for those who follow his music.
  8. Andremax
    Jun 11, 2014
    10
    An amazing SP's masterpiece
    ecletic and the same time very fuk'ing good
    Corgan is a great music writer, incredible lyrics and musically
    2 hours of this kind of music worths so much
  9. mschostok
    Nov 9, 2013
    10
    Do you like roller coasters? Good, because this behemoth of an album (28 songs) is a roller coaster ride of Billy's emotions. One of the greatest albums of all time, hands down. It's one of those albums where you put it on from the first song and can let it play the whole way through, you can't do that with many albums, especially not double albums.
  10. Ricko
    May 15, 2017
    10
    A beast of an album and an absolute classic. When this album comes up in conversation, many people go on about its length as a major downside, but for me the length is another plus as the quality is so mind blowingly good for the whole 2 hours or so. Some of the greatest rock music ever written can be found here and it's hard to find a song that would rival the epic "Tonight, Tonight". IA beast of an album and an absolute classic. When this album comes up in conversation, many people go on about its length as a major downside, but for me the length is another plus as the quality is so mind blowingly good for the whole 2 hours or so. Some of the greatest rock music ever written can be found here and it's hard to find a song that would rival the epic "Tonight, Tonight". I never get tired of listening to it. It's got pop, heavy rock, ballads, sparse acoustic tracks, trash metal... the whole lot. Best double album of all time, even better than my other favourite The Beatles eponymous White record. This is one of the very few records where I would say you really have to hear it. The remaster adds another dimension to something that was already perfect. The depth and texture of the sounds Corgan puts down is even more impressive now. The bonus disks are certainly only for the hard core fans, but being one of those, I'm in my element listening to them. Lots of Aeroplane Flies High material amongst the bonus stuff which is brilliant. I love this record as much today as I did 20 years ago when I first got into it. Genius.… Expand
  11. Trevskii
    Dec 20, 2012
    10
    There's a huge buzz to being reminded that, in an era where non-moneycentric music seems to have just about become irrelevant, classics will still be being written
  12. brockcheese
    Oct 11, 2019
    9
    This album is great. It's length allows them to explore many subsections of grunge while proving to be truly orchestral despite the harsh screams of their other songs.
  13. Mattal
    May 31, 2013
    9
    "Porcupine", you gave LMFAO a "10". Siamese dream was their 2nd album not 1st. It's not perfect not many double albums are but damn its close. Great album from a legendary band. Has there been a better double album since?
  14. Batters
    Feb 1, 2021
    10
    Без сомнений, лучший альбом девяностых годов.
  15. ShogunTBone
    Jan 9, 2015
    10
    The epic that vaulted the Pumpkins to the altars of rock, and daresay musical legacy, 'Mellon Collie' did something that is rarely accomplished and will be hard to come close to: a double album with each track carrying its own aura, personality, and emotional weight; all bring something unique to the record, whether from melodic beauty to abrasive grit.

    There are 28 tracks, divided into    The epic that vaulted the Pumpkins to the altars of rock, and daresay musical legacy, 'Mellon Collie' did something that is rarely accomplished and will be hard to come close to: a double album with each track carrying its own aura, personality, and emotional weight; all bring something unique to the record, whether from melodic beauty to abrasive grit.

    There are 28 tracks, divided into two discs. Disc One carries some of SP's most well-known songs, including 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings', 'Zero', and 'Tonight, Tonight'. However, I believe the real gem of this disc is within the biting riffs of 'Jellybelly' and **** You', which also promptly contain some of Corgan's most anger-driven lyrics (especially the latter, but it seems to increase the appeal being as said lyrics are quite personal). What's amazing is the tenderness of 'To Forgive' and 'Take Me Down' contrasting completely with the songs listed above but deserving the same acclaim. The nine minutes-plus of 'Porcelina' should also be of note here as an outstanding track.

    Disc two harbors two of the most well-known pop crafted hits from SP, being '1979' and 'Thirty-Three'. Their magnificence has been stated over the years quite well, as 'Thru the Eyes of Ruby' (in my humble opinion) represents the epicenter of the album itself, with a rumored seventy (yes, 70! Amazing as it is, the approximation is said to be just that number) guitar takes all blended to create the breathtaking and romanticism of this 7:39 of, in lieu of a better word, greatness. The harder sounds of the first disc gets turned to an eleven here with 'Scorched Earth' and 'X.Y.U.' , masterfully-so may worth adding, and then quiets down to a lullaby levels and soothing tracks until the close.

    Discs 3-5 included with the remastered version include differing demos, mixes, outtakes, and B-sides, all still carrying their quirks; notably, 'Set the Ray to Jerry' (included originally on The Aeroplane Flies High box set back in '96) is present with the vocal rough, and tracks such as 'Meladori Magpie' and 'Knuckles' should entice both longstanding fans and those new to the album but looking to enjoy the entirety of it.

    The live DVD includes a mixture of two shows both from 1996 and only a month apart, and as SP's live shows are always top-notch (despite what some think of Billy's voice being shrill, but I find it unique), they are definitely worth a look.

    Overall, if I haven't covered it well enough above, this album is ****ing fantastic and worth every penny.    … Expand
  16. bdurmaz
    Apr 29, 2017
    9
    Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is one of the albums that get better each time you listen to it. It's an absolute collector's item for every music enthusiast.
  17. rjfrelin
    Jan 1, 2021
    8
    In the fall of 94 I was simply blessed to begin a long college career and a seemingly imperative immersion into arts. At the time, I was skeptical that Mellon Collie could meet the lofty expectations of Smashing Pumpkins fans. It not only met them, it simply blew them away. Now I sit some 25 years after its release and still feel powerful raw emotions that rush back when I hear a songIn the fall of 94 I was simply blessed to begin a long college career and a seemingly imperative immersion into arts. At the time, I was skeptical that Mellon Collie could meet the lofty expectations of Smashing Pumpkins fans. It not only met them, it simply blew them away. Now I sit some 25 years after its release and still feel powerful raw emotions that rush back when I hear a song like 1979...… Expand
  18. Joyasanactofres
    Aug 17, 2022
    10
    Mellon Collie has a legendary status in rock music, and I think it's well deserved. The deeper cuts on the album are gorgeous and so damn orgasmic like 33 and thru the eyes of ruby. The singles too are great. Overall, this is a really beautiful album.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Kerrang!
    Jan 30, 2013
    80
    For a serious Pumpkins fan, this is a gold mine. [15 Dec 2012, p.49]
  2. The Quietus
    Jan 15, 2013
    80
    To say this is a 'fans only' set is something of an understatement, but if you do have an interest and indeed if you can actually afford it, this is a lovingly put together and ridiculously detailed exploration of a record that has aged very well. For those whose interest is more casual the two-disc edition is well worth revisiting.
    Read full review
  3. Rolling Stone
    Jan 11, 2013
    80
    The extras on the deluxe box set show how Corgan's mid-Nineties creative peak couldn't even be contained by two CDs.
    Read full review
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