Siamese Dream

Released in 2020 as part of Turntable Kitchen's Sounds Delicious vinyl subscription series, Siamese Dream is a full-album cover of the Smashing Pumpkins' 1993 masterpiece. Fruit Bats (the moniker of Eric D. Johnson) takes a radical approach to the source material, eschewing the 'Big Muff' fuzz and complex drumming of the original for a minimalist, folk-leaning palette. Recorded during a period of global isolation, the album reflects a sense of solitude and interiority. Johnson utilizes acoustic guitars, banjos, and subtle piano to recontextualize Corgan's lyrics, often highlighting the vulnerability and melodicism that was sometimes buried under the original's production. It stands as a significant departure from the typical Fruit Bats 'folk rock' sound by leaning into a more hushed, experimental folk-pop aesthetic. The project received praise for its ability to find new emotional resonance in well-worn classics, particularly on tracks like 'Today' and 'Mayonaise'.