Nimrod's Son or Why the Pixies Reunion was Better than the one the Smashing Pumpkins are Embarking On

Dear Readers,

Today I'd like to discuss my overall dissatisfaction with the Smashing Pumpkins "reunion" and compare it with the way The Pixies handled it -- a band that did it right. Allow me to give you 10 reasons why.

1. The Pixies didn't release any new material to jam down our collective throats.
2. All members of the Pixies showed up -- even though they don't completely get along.
3. The Pixies have a ton of good songs that people know and quite a few lesser known gems in their catalog .
4. The Pixies setlists were varied from show to show. This is a real bonus for a fan going to multiple shows.
5. The Pixies sold professionally recorded copies of their concerts on CD for a reasonable price.
6. Ticket prices for The Pixies were also reasonable -- even if it was in an arena.
7. Austin City Limits showed them on PBS for free during their tour -- take that Australian Pink Floyd!
8. The Newport Folk Festival had the Pixies as headliners. The Pumpkins would never be welcome.
9. The Pixies released three concert DVDs and contributed to one documentary during their tour. All are high quality.
10. The Pixies weren't annoying.

If you think this sounds like Pumpkins heresy -- it is. I have been listening and watching Pumpkins shows since the reunion, and while the stuff is slightly interesting it is definitely lacking something special. Here's a few reasons why:

1. I recently read that the replacement band members kind of look like the original ones if you squint while watching them on stage. It actually works.
2. I'd think this was less of a business move if I hadn't read that Billy Corgan walked off stage when people would ask for old songs when he toured with his solo album.
3. The set lists are almost identical from show to show.
4. A lot of the new album sounds like repackaged stuff from Billy's solo album.
5. The old songs on the setlists are boring.

So, if you're planning on seeing a retro music group from the 90's -- you'll have to wait for The Pixies do it again, or track down one of their cheap concert DVDs. You won't be disappointed.

-TRM