It’s a long way to the top
November 17th, 2008 by jjbtags: if all goes wrong, criticism, live
The wise Alex Crisafulli, in the process of weighing in on a recent “White Crosses” show:
Early on, while still in slow-down mode, the band played “Sunkissed” from the Zeitgeist add-on American Gothic and a new song called “99 Floors” which might be the best Smashing Pumpkins song I have heard in quite some time.
I personally have not been feeling “99 Floors” so much, but there is now more than one person whose opinions I respect saying that it’s a new favorite of theirs. Also, importantly, Billy Corgan seems to like it.
I don’t think consensus is possible (or desirable) on such subjective matters, but still I am curious to hear others’ feelings: How much do you like “99 Floors” relative to other new or old material? Of what does it remind you? (Do you still care?)
November 17th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
i’m with Crisafulli, 99 floors is one of the best thing of this new pumpkins era… by the way, has anyone transcripted the lyrics yet? i’m an italian guy and -as you can read- my english is bad, so i can’t clearly understand what he’s singing.. thanks.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I also think it’s awesome. Probably my second favorite Residency song (I’ve always been very partial to Promise Me).
reC: 59 Rhoades (and still nowhere to go?)
November 17th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Hey, as always, thanks for the kind words and the link.
Couple of things…
First, I listened to “99 Floors” again before posting this in hopes to find something I could pinpoint as to why I like the song so much. And there’s nothing really profound that sticks out, other than I just think it has a great melody and lyrics, and reminds me why I always loved the band. Not that I think the song is a fallback to old stuff, but rather a step in a good direction. Since I have only heard the song being played live, I am really looking forward to hearing the result once it is laid down in the studio, assuming that it will be. (Btw, any info on that?)
Second, someone emailed me and made a comment that my post on my site was anti-Zeitgeist. I am not anti-Zeitgest. I listen to it regularly, and especially like the American Gothic tunes. I just thought it slightly missed, I felt the same about Machina. But that’s only because I have pretty high standards for the band as I think Gish, SD, MCIS, and Adore are some of my favorite records ever. I just wanted to clear that up, and thought what better forum than this one.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
I’m kind of thinking it’s not going to be recorded, that Billy will call the two (!) versions on If All Goes Wrong good.
I don’t know, the lyrics are pretty good…the melody just doesn’t do it for me, and the structure is interesting (or at least novel for TSP) but I get impatient (maybe a bit like Perpetua was saying, claiming the song needed to be tightened up). But then, I immediately melt for “Peace+Love”, which is rather circular and yet I’m not sure I don’t want that song to go on for 18 minutes. Maybe I’m one of those sad, unfortunate, unsophisticated people who needs a song with a hook…
November 17th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
i think its the best residency song… wasn’t rose march technically written b4 the residencies… i personally think the new music coming off the current tour is some of their best music to date.. really excited about where this is going.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Love it. It’s little gems like these that keep me coming back as a fan of this band.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
BROS: wasn’t rose march technically written b4 the residencies
No, that widespread belief proved to be false. And the DVD obviously provides overwhelming evidence The Rose March was written during the SF residency.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I didn’t really love any of the residencies material, to tell you the truth.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I fell in love with “99 Floors” the very first time I heard it, which was the summer of ‘07 on YouTube. It just reminded me of something that could’ve been akin to a track from the early ’70s (possibly one of the acoustic tracks from “Led Zeppelin III”). It was also maybe the first song I heard at the time when the personalities of Jeff, Ginger and Lisa came out for me. Ginger’s fluid basslines, Lisa’s warm keyboards and Jeff’s melodic solo made me see where this new band could go. Since then, and especially after the documentary and watching the rehearsal footage on the DVD, “99 Floors” still has a strong hold on me. In fact, that whole rehearsal footage made me think about The Beatles’ “Let It Be” film. Stripped down songs. No fuss. No muss. It continues to show Billy’s versatility as a writer and the continuously surprising versatility of the new members. I said in another post that I really hope that Billy and Jimmy decided to include Jeff, Ginger, & Lisa in the studio one day. They have all truly proven themselves.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I think Billy’s turning back on part of the Djalizwan concept here. He’d said in the past that as a Pumpkin, he had to compromise any acoustic material for a rock audience, so he created Djalizwan as a way to play shows as a separate “band” to split the difference and not leave people disappointed. I think now, based on recent interviews, he doesn’t care who he dissappoints anymore, because he can’t win anyway. He wanted to record a “live-in-studio” album with Djali, now we have the Residency rehearsals. I think part of it, too, is having confidence in his musicians to improvise and let go part of his control, something he couldn’t do before. Does anyone hear the loose Djali approach in all of the Residency songs and Song for a Son? I think 99 Floors fits into all of this beautifully, though Rose March is a more “perfect” composition and “I’m doing the best I can” is the most fun. But of course, he hadn’t abandoned metal (As Rome Burns) or pop (Owata). I hope Billy feels confident enough to attempt Adoreable Gothtronica again, or try that Burt-Bacharach album he wanted to do. He already said we can’t have the Chicago songs yet, but when we do, it will be because Billy’s finally at peace with his myriad musical ambitions. Maybe he’ll even play Lyric again someday!
November 17th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
At first I felt the song was too long, but now it too is one of my favorite of the new acoustic songs. Overall, I don’t think the residency work is as powerful as Billy’s previous work. But that said, the one line/riff that gets me into 99 Floors and takes me back to what I love about the Pumpkins is the “if it goes far and wide” part. That is probably not even what he is saying :) But just that little little descending line (with and without the vocals) makes me feel good.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
It’s good. It reminds me of some of the Spun material actually. It’s got that gentle quality about it. It’s weird, because it instantly reminds me of Drown musically, but it definitely has it’s own vibe.
It’s a little bit long however. This isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I think that if the song got the full on Billy Corgan overdub army treatment, it could possibly be taken to new heights, especially if it all slowly built in to a giant big rock orgasm. “I used to know you”… that line, but imagine a big Mayonaise tone behind it.
In fact, if Billy doesn’t do this, I’ll be utterly pissed.
rC: are Magneto
November 17th, 2008 at 10:54 pm
im very impressed with 99 floors. usually new songs take a while to stick with me but both 99 floors and song for a son both just instantly felt right. im crazy about the harmonica part too. such a beautiful ballad.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
What made the difference for me was hearing the Bridge School Benefit version. Billy’s, quiet, hushed vocals have never done it for me but now, when he let’s loose and belts out the chorus, this song has completely clicked for me and I REALLY enjoy it. And might I say that the horns on Sunkissed totally converted this song to the amazing category as well. But I digress, now that Billy has let loose and put 110% into the vocal performance, 99 Floors has gone from good to awesome!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
This has always been my most loved tune of the Residency era… I can’t really seem to think of anything more to add than what other have already said. It’s a great song, catchy, beautiful, and the buildup is astounding. I really enjoy the feeling, and it has that versatility that allows the other bandmates to make it their own.
It’s a great tune, and I agree about the Benefit Concert version, when I heard that, I thought, “Wow, that’s it right there… That’s amazing!”
I’m really excited for all this great new material!
November 18th, 2008 at 12:15 am
I’m with you, jjb…99 Floors is good, but it doesn’t reel me in like it has other people. The two songs I can’t get out of my head since the DAR shows last week are Gossamer and Sunkissed. I’m really, really liking the latter.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:25 am
honestly, 99 fllors doesn’t quite do it for me. but the again, i started hating most of my now favorite SP songs. ( sadly, there was a point where i hated 1979 and even rocket!!!)
November 18th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Best Review Ever
http://backdropfootage.blogspot.com/2008/11/audacity-of-billy-corgan.html
reC: Hungarian fusal
November 18th, 2008 at 3:38 am
ya that is a great review.. i dont know whether to be upset or happy that billy is able to get rid of those “fans”. I hope he rediscovers Nickelback and never listens to SP again
November 18th, 2008 at 5:26 am
ill join the not overly crazy about 99 floors party although SFAS knocks me right out as does Rome
November 18th, 2008 at 7:52 am
99 Floors was my favorite residency song when listening to the fillmore shows back in the summer of ‘07. i was actually fairly disappointed that it wasn’t included on american gothic. having a well-recorded, well-mixed version on the iagw dvd is just fantastic.
i also think the new heavy songs as rome burns, glow, and even the sounds of silence cover are amazing… and i’d love to hear an album where studio versions of these songs are set against acoustic numbers like 99 floors, peace and love, and owata. etc.
November 18th, 2008 at 7:00 pm
I like the song but can’t say it blows me away. I really like Song for a Son and As Rome Burns though. It could just be because I haven’t listened to them that much yet but a lot of the new, more acoustic songs all sound very similar to me.
Ever since the Viper Room show back in ‘98 I’ve always been leery of listening to new material too much before it gets an official release because I get too attached to the live version. For a long time I couldn’t stand listening to Perfect or Daphne Descends because I loved the solo acoustic versions so much. Then again, Tear was probably my favorite Viper Room song and I loved the Adore version too…
I still want a studio version of Virex damn it!
November 23rd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I prefer No Surrender myself, but I do like 99 Floors a lot. It’s not like it’s really a new direction, but it sounds fresh and welcome to my ears. I wish there was a more complete version of If All Goes Wrong, the song, on the DVD. Or is that called I Don’t Mind? I don’t remember now. What happened to that new song I Don’t Mind? Oops, digression.
Oops, I’m replying to this like a week later.
November 23rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Ian: I wish there was a more complete version of If All Goes Wrong, the song, on the DVD.
The version at the end of the documentary is complete.