It’s easy to see why the Smashing Pumpkins’ 1991 sophomore effort Siamese Dream was dubbed the ’next Nirvana’, as they were praised for their psychedelic guitars and the band’s ability to combine rock n roll with the latest in music technology. However, this was also a time of high pressure for the Seattle-based group, as frontman Billy Corgan suffered from writer’s block and depression, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was struggling with addiction issues, and bassist D’arcy Wretzky and guitarist James Iha had recently broken up with each other.

The record’s opener, “Cherub Rock,” is one of the band’s biggest tunes and a perfect example of their signature sound. It features a cool-looking ring out of the first chord, along with a bent lead note that sounds almost like an Indian sitar.

“Today” is another song from Siamese Dream that’s worth a listen, as it’s packed with memorable lyrics and some truly brilliant playing by the band. The riff is a real head-turner, and the band show off their ability to shift between loud and quiet at will.

A trippy middle section slows things down and lets the band show off their cleanest tones, before kicking up the ante with an absolutely slapping breakdown. It’s a fun track, but it’s also the album’s most ethereal song, with a beautiful, calming violin melody at its center.

The Pumpkins are at their best when they shift between acoustic and electric, and if you ever need proof that they are experts in this arena, look no further than ’Today’. It’s the smallest song on the record, but it still packs a punch with its snazzy guitar playing and clever lyrics.