Tarantula

by

The Smashing Pumpkins

Edit

"If the lyrics "don't let me say this/but you're no worse than me/its crazy/we are the real/if real ever was/and just because/we are the real/they feel we have enough" aren't enough to interpret Billy's motives, the not too subtle single cover with Paris Hilton standing in front of a mushroom cloud with a Blackberry in hand completely gives them away. The concept of the new Smashing Pumpkins album centers around America's apathy and languorous attitude concerning the political and social climate produced by our leaders and felt by people around the world. Indeed, the climate of bloggers and MySpace has led to a public more interested in Britney's Spears' haircut than more serious subjects. Although Billy admits, Paris and his listeners are no worse than him. Someone, (the internet, paparazzi, corporations?) gave us sound..."

Overall, Tarantula is a guitar driven pop track that is new and classic Pumpkins all at the same time. The more I listen to it, the more I like it. Death From Above isn't so good, and sounds like a repetitious b-side from Billy's solo project.

Unfortunately, I don't think most internet posters are as philosophical as Billy. He is commenting on social decadence and fascination of the public with celebrity, even in the face of the increasingly frightening political front. Ironically, he is also commenting on the absurdity of people gaining notoriety for nothing. Something, those posting opinions on web-forums and review sites should take note of.

One final note, Zeitgeist is an album not about politics or social issues in general. Even though it is a political album, it isn't saying one side or another is right or wrong, it is personal in that it is just Billy's feelings and thoughts about these subjects. I have seen some posts saying that the poster won't listen to an album that is against the war in Iraq. Although the album implies that Billy doesn't agree with the war, it doesn't explicitly criticize it. It more just comments on how Americans are (more interested in Paris Hilton than politics, we are all stars since the advent of the internet, blogs, and MySpace, and overall the system is broken).

I really can't see how putting Paris Hilton on an album cover as a commentary, should yield such a vehement reaction. What has she ever done to you? Did she kill your dog? She is a girl who is famous for nothing, and really hasn't contributed much positive or negative to society. Yet, many posters would make her the equivalent of Hitler.

I had no idea about this Billy/Paris connection, but it's both funny and ironic. If you're a completist of Billy's work, you need this single for "Death From Above". There are versions at both BestBuy and Target, each with it's own bonus track and different-coloured cover/booklet. BestBuy's version has "Death From Above" as it's bonus track, with a yellow-ish cover/booklet...while Target has a purple-ish cover/booklet and the bonus track is the TITLE track, "Zeitgeist"...interesting that the song was left off the regular and deluxe version...BTW, I HATE the packaging on that...big, bulky and obtrusive, and there's nothing special about the pics inside that...I'd much rather have bonus tracks.

Soooo, in the end, buy the Target edition of the album and this single, and marvel at the irony of Paris Hilton, blackberry in hand, standing in front of a mushroom cloud. Oh, the song "Tarantula" is pretty cool, with a nice riff and a melody that grows on you. Billy may seem like a jerk to many, but I think the guy's just misunderstood, that's all...and Jimmy C just proves here that he's a kickbutt drummer too...