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The Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins

Date: Oct 01 2007

Themes: Music

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

A lot of people were really excited to hear that, after a seven year break, the Smashing Pumpkins were making a new album. Why wouldn’t their fans be happy to hear that? The Pumpkins inspired millions with their poetic lyrics and intellectual arena rock sound in the ‘90s.

Well, as it turns out, it was only half a reunion. The group’s guitarist and bassist would be absent. And on top of that, the band made an arrangement to release special versions of their new album through major corporations. This upset more than a few fans, Devan and Marni among them.

Dialog

1. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Devan

Devan

Marni

Marni

Devan:  So I was a huge Smashing Pumpkins fan when I was growing up. They were my favorite band and I heard that they were getting back together and I was really excited but then we found out, because I work at a record store, did you hear that their new album, they released four different versions that were only available to corporate...

Marni:  Best Buy, Target…

Devan:  iTunes…and all the independent stores just got the regular version with no extra songs.

Marni:  I was just reading about that. I think that’s really lame, actually.

Devan:  It’s really lame. I was really bummed out. It’s weird to see your favorite band that you admire and looked up to so much when you were younger just kind of stick it to you like that.

Marni:  It seems really odd too. I would think the Smashing Pumpkins would be a little more fan-based but I mean, it’s two original members, Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin...I don’t know, I haven’t listened to Smashing Pumpkins the last few years. I probably won’t listen to this album. I have to say, I do like the cover art, have to give a little credit for that. Zeitgeist, interesting concept. But from what I’ve heard, I don’t know, I don’t think it was up to all the hype.

 

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Discussion

Like a lot of people in their 20s, Devan grew up listening to the Smashing Pumpkins. She was happy to learn they were getting back together, but, because she works at an independent record store, she was upset by the Pumpkins’ choice to favor corporate music stores with special versions of their album.

That decision seems odd to Marni too. She says she probably won’t listen to the album, although she likes the title and album art. The album takes its name from a German word, “zeitgeist,” that means “spirit of the age.”

A lot of bands are getting back together these days without all of the original members. Are there any groups you like that have reformed lately? How do you feel about that?

 

Comments

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gheekay

Philippines

I was searching all over the internet for ways to get back with my ex girlfriend and I finally found what I'm looking for, I went to www.saveabreakup.com and it helped me a lot get back with my ex love, and now we are back together.

05:24 AM Sep 09 2010 |

kelvinliao

kelvinliao

China

mum,that's a great music,I love it.By the way,can I make a friend with you?

07:31 AM Dec 31 2007 |

poopypens

poopypens

Russian Federation

what's up boys and girls!!!

07:45 PM Oct 07 2007 |

Ten

China

Cool

08:18 AM Oct 07 2007 |

lol80

lol80

Peru

wow!! i think they are are great musician, i like smashing pumpkins!! let’s go rock

08:45 PM Oct 06 2007 |

luo jia

luo jia

Canada

I really like music!and I also want to make friend with you !we can share happiness and sorrow and more !oh!I am from China!Could you please write to me ?

07:54 AM Oct 06 2007 |

victor25

victor25

Moldova, Republic Of

Where is the audio???

04:15 AM Oct 04 2007 |

bety79

bety79

Mexico

I don't think is the smashing pumkins return, it's only billy corgan and jimmy chamberlin, where's james iha and d'arcy????...... I was a very big fan of them, and i specially adrmire billy corgan, but i think this return is only because billy corgan was not recognized as solist as he ever wanted.

10:11 PM Oct 02 2007 |

princed

Ghana

hi nice to hear that from you,hope we can share music  together,i really like them

09:29 PM Oct 02 2007 |

shanie

shanie

China

sapere aude , i am try his " today " now …Laughing

04:40 PM Oct 02 2007 |

Vaneclaudia

Argentina

I didn't knew about it before!! the music is great

02:00 PM Oct 01 2007 |

abdeeq

abdeeq

Somalia

Rock Music is best Music!!!

01:27 PM Oct 01 2007 |

henz988

China

me too

11:43 AM Oct 01 2007 |

coygirl

coygirl

Kazakhstan

it`s a very pity but i`ve  never heard about  The Smashing Pumpkins. i`m not a fan of rock music.Frown

09:39 AM Oct 01 2007 |

rajumalyala83

India

great music.

 

08:37 AM Oct 01 2007 |

explorer143

Pakistan

I didn't knew about it before!

08:34 AM Oct 01 2007 |

somaliland

somaliland

Somalia

i never heard and seen their music and performance, though i don’t like rock music

06:37 AM Oct 01 2007 |

sha.sha

sha.sha

China

when the new album come to china I must try …...

Cool

05:17 AM Oct 01 2007 |

G Zaman

Pakistan

hi every one whats up??

05:17 AM Oct 01 2007 |

Liliya-22

Liliya-22

Russian Federation

Hmm….I have never listened to them….Pity! Cry

05:13 AM Oct 01 2007 |

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