For all their hype, the Smashing Pumpkins never made one defining album statement, like many of their early alternative peers. The closest they got was Siamese Dream, as Melon Collie was far too long, but even Dream got lost in its multi-tracked haze of guitars and unmemorable songs. But this collection is proof that the Pumpkins were a hell of a singles band, and some of the best music of the decade is contained within. It also serves as a perfect primer to the band, starting with Gish and ending with MACHINA and the end of the original band, with two new songs tacked on.

Many of these are mainstream alternative classics, the way singer/guitarist/songwriter/entire band Billy Corgan intended. Who doesn't remember lines like "Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage" or "Disarm you with a smile" or "Today is the greatest day there never was?"

The Pumpkins easily blended hard rock, punk and pop into a sound uniquely theirs. The beautiful "1979," the excellent cover of "Landslide" and the acid haze of "Cherub Rock" are timeless. Corgan's guitar work is displayed on the shortened version of "Drown" and early singles "Siva" and "Rhinoceros." Of course, the Grammy-winning "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" is here.

Frankly, every song is a highlight; the majestic acoustics of "Disarm," the epic "Tonight, Tonight," the sweet alt-rock classic "Today" and the hard, skittering "Zero." In this context, the later music is redeemed, especially 2000's "The Everlasting Gaze," one of the best songs the band ever wrote, period. "Adore" packs a languid electronic wallop over time and the overproduced "Stand Inside Your Love" is one of Corgan's better love songs. Only "Eye" fails to really develop. Of the two new songs, the acoustic "Untitled" is the better one.

As a sampler of the Smashing Pumpkins, a highlight of 90s alternative rock and a collection of flat-out good songwriting, you can't beat this.

Rating: A

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