Gish (Deluxe Edition)

While punk rock is often considered to be the main influence on alternative rock of the 1990s, Smashing Pumpkins were never a band with punk aspirations. Arena rock was their ambition and sonic perfection was their goal in the studio. Butch Vig, who also produced Nirvana's Nevermind, enabled Billy Corgan to layer the guitars beautifully, creating a sonic experience that requires headphones to fully comprehend. "Bury Me," "Siva," "Rhinoceros" and "Crush" veer from dreamy psychedelic pop to guitar-heavy hard rock with an approach that was shockingly new. The 2012 Deluxe Edition tells a grander story, including demos, radio performances, including Peel Sessions, that go a long way towards showing just how the band's sound evolved and what they sounded like as a live animal. The Reel Time Demo of "I Am One" alone is worth the collection. The cover of the Animals' "A Girl Named Sandoz," from the Peel Sessions, and the Corgan-sung version of "Daydream" seal the deal.